Teach Soap

I have made a few batches of goat milk soap & soap very cool-around 80 degrees. I am just wondering if it makes any difference to soap at 80 or 90-95 for milk soaps? Does soaping cool cause any problems? My soap seems pretty soft for quite a few days but does harden up, would low temp be why?

I prefer to go higher. The lower the temp, the more chance of getting a false trace and thus lye pockets. If the soap doesn't gel it can be soft initially.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

OK-thanks Soapbuddy! I haven't had any problems yet, but probably should aim for higher temp. Its just that when I add the lye to the frozen milk thats as high as the temp gets so I let my oils get that low too. Should I try to warm it up in a hot water bath to about 100 once the milk & lye mix?

Try adding your lye to slushy milk instead of completely frozen. I would not warm up the lye solution as that can start to caramelize the milk.

_________________
Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I soaped last night with frozen coconut milk. I won't be using full frozen liquids again as the lye mixture never went over 80 degrees and today my soap is moist and zapping. I was hoping the white stuff in my soap was just coconut milk sediment, but no, I got a shock. I'll hope this improves over the next few days.

_________________
Michelle

Reminder to Self: "Cut No Soap Before It's Time!"

_________________
Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Soap zapping within 48 hours is not abnormal at all and that doesn't mean you failed. Saponification can last for 48 hours depending on your recipe.
I always use frozen milk as 100% liquid and never had any problem with temperature too low. Just make sure you stick blend it thoroughly before molding. Soap comes out soft also might be caused by your liquid amount and recipe hardness. I use 33% concentration lye milk most of the time and don't gel.

_________________
Shieh Design Studio
https://www.facebook.com/ShiehDesignStudio
http://soapandrestless.blogspot.com

_________________
Michelle

Reminder to Self: "Cut No Soap Before It's Time!"