Teach Soap

Hi, faced some probelm with my two batches. Could you guys pls let me know what m i doing wrong?

1/ I made a batch few days back, and it was setting perfectly but when i checked on it after few hours, little bit oil was floating on top? Pls refer attached picture for your ref to understand the exact problem. Why did it happen? I'm assuming that i didnt mixed it porperly.



2/ I made a batch last night, and to give a decorative line in the soap. After pouring one layer, I sprinkled it with cinnamon powder and then poured the remaining liquid. The soap even gelled, and i put it in the fridge overnight to prevent overheating. But when i went to cut it today it came out in two parts. Two layers didnt stick because of cinnamon powder layering. How can i prevent this going forward? Refer attached picture of it. (green color sopa).





3/ Can putting soap in fridge/freezer help to enhance the frangrance of it?

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Pal

For the fist picture you might have reached a false trace or it could be the fragrance oil ( However that looks like to much for fragrance ). I have had some oil seepage before and it always absorbed back in. If that soap zaps your could try to rebatch it. For the second problem your pencil line was to thick for the layers to stick together. I use a small fine mesh strainer to sprinkle my pencil lines.

Sounds like the soap gremlins have been visiting you! Don't get too discouraged as they get bored easily and move on to the next soap maker.

1) The soap may not have been blended enough. Could you have reached false trace? It could also have overheated. Give it a couple days and see if the oil is absorbed back into the soap. If it does, zap test it to see if it's lye heavy.

2) Just as an aside, cinnamon can be a skin irritant so try something like cocoa powder for your next pencil line. If your line is too thick, the soap layers might not adhere together. Try a thinner dusting next time.

3) Putting your soap in the fridge/freezer does not enhance the scent. It can prevent gel phase or overheating though.

Good luck with your next batch!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

I agree. Looks like the first one has a false trace. If all your calculations were correct (and you superfatted), I would rebatch.
On the second one, if the line is too thick, the soap will separate. I would not use cinnamon powder in this way. It could be irritating.

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

Hey guys, Thanks for your detailed answers. It was really helpful.
Linda, yeh i'll not let these few "not so successful" event discourage me

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Pal