Question 1

Why doesn't my soap set when I mix it?

Accepted Answer

If your soap does not solidify during mixing, there can be two reasons.

1. Check the quantities in the recipe, check the scales, check that you have weighted all the raw materials accurately and correctly. 
2. If you can exclude point 1, it can also be due to your base fats. If the ratio of liquid oils is very high and only a few solid fats in the recipe, then the thickening of the soap glue will take much longer! Just be patient and keep mixing until the soap glue reaches a creamy consistency.

Question 2

Why is there a white, powdery layer on the soap?

Accepted Answer

There is a thin, white layer on the soap (the pouring side). No need to worry, it is soda ash. It is a natural component of handmade natural soaps and is formed when the fresh soap glue is not covered quickly enough (cardboard, plastic film). It does not diminish the quality in any way. Soda ash can be easily "planned" or cut off if desired.

Question 3

Why do crystals form on or in the soap?

Accepted Answer

If you discover fine crystals, be careful! It could be too high a proportion of sodium hydroxide which is due to a weighing error or not dissolved sodium hydroxide (milk soaps!). 
Therefore it is necessary to test the soap for its PH value. With test strips moisten the soap and dip the strip briefly and read immediately. Handmade natural soaps have a PH value of 8.5 - 9 after maturing and no more! Do not use strongly alkaline soap and take it to the collection point.

Question 4

What can I do if the soap doesn't come out of the mold?

Accepted Answer

If the recipe has been accurately weighted and prepared, soap may "sit" longer in the mold. If it still does not release after 1 week, you can put it in the freezer for 2 - 4 hours. Then remove from the mold and dry on paper towels, carefully dab dry the resulting condensation with paper towels.

Question 5

My soap has become brittle. What is the reason for this?

Accepted Answer

If your soap breaks or splinters when you cut it, then you may have made a weighting error. Thus, the ratio to the oil and lye is not correct and, therefore, the consistency of the soap.

Here it is urgently necessary to test the soap for its PH value! If the PH value is in the normal range, it is possible that you have used too much of very hard fats such as cocoa butter and, therefore, the soap breaks while cutting. Another possible reasy is the proportion of salt. Salt soaps are often brittle when you want to cut them. With either of these issues, it is only a minor visual problem and does not detract from the quality of your natural soap.

Question 6

What can I do if the soap glue thickens too quickly?

Accepted Answer

If your soap glue has thickened too quickly, there may be the following reasons:

1. You have used too high a proportion of solid fats (beeswax, cocoa butter) in the base fats. Beeswax causes the glue to solidify very quickly.
2. Pure essential oils or fragrance oils can greatly accelerate the thickening of the soap glue, some even slow it down. In my experience, this is so with spice oils such as cinnamon, clove or anise. To keep the glue pourable, the amount of water for the lye can be between 30% to a maximum of 40% of the total amount of fat. When using the oils mentioned above, it is helpful to use a higher percentage of liquid. 
3. You have miscalculated and the ratio between base fats and lye liquid is not correct.

Question 7

A layer of oil has formed on the soap - what to do?

Accepted Answer

After cooling, a layer of oil forms on the surface of your soap. Most of the time there is a weighting error. If too little NaOH has been dissolved in the water, complete saponification will not take place and unsaponified oils will remain. Possibly check the NaOH for drainage or whether the container is tight. NaOH is hygroscopic, which means it attracts moisture in the air and could, therefore, be of inferior quality.

As far as the oil layer is only slight, dab off oil and let soap mature. It may also be that not properly stirred. In any case, do a PH test afterwards. If the value is too high, the soap must unfortunately be disposed.

Question 8

Why are there dots on the soap?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes soap may get yellowish dots after a long period of storage. This is a sign that it should be consumed quickly. The dots become darker if stored even longer and begin to "sweat" and smell rancid.

The reason may be that you have used oils & fats that either do not have a long shelf life (poppy seed oil, linseed oil, hemp oil) or your soap has a high backfat. 
So it can happen that a soap with a lot of care "tilts". As long as it does not smell rancid, it can be used.

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