Cure time
- Thread starter JeanieB
- Start date
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There really isn't a way to speed up curing. There has been discussions in the past and the general consensus is an oven, dehumidifier, dehydrator and fans don't work.
However, soap is safe to use within a short time after making it. It just needs to be fully saponified but it won't be at its best. The curing time allows for excess water to evaporate, the soap to become milder and the lather to improve. Just keep in mind it will be better in a few weeks if you have to try a bar. BTW, I understand your impatience - I've been there. :wink:
This is just a suggestion - slice a little off instead of using a bar. Sometimes I don't clean up right away. I put the bowl and utensils in a bucket with a snap on lid. After saponification, I scrape out the remainder and put it into a container. I use the scraps to test if I'm impatient to find out how the recipe turned out. If I'm not impatient, I save the scraps, put them in an organza bag with other scraps and use it in the shower.
However, soap is safe to use within a short time after making it. It just needs to be fully saponified but it won't be at its best. The curing time allows for excess water to evaporate, the soap to become milder and the lather to improve. Just keep in mind it will be better in a few weeks if you have to try a bar. BTW, I understand your impatience - I've been there. :wink:
This is just a suggestion - slice a little off instead of using a bar. Sometimes I don't clean up right away. I put the bowl and utensils in a bucket with a snap on lid. After saponification, I scrape out the remainder and put it into a container. I use the scraps to test if I'm impatient to find out how the recipe turned out. If I'm not impatient, I save the scraps, put them in an organza bag with other scraps and use it in the shower.
Ditto what Hazel said. There's just no way to rush cure if you ask me either. 
While it's true you can definitely hasten saponification to where the soap reaches tongue neutrality quicker and becomes safe to use, cure is a whole 'nuther ball of wax in my experience. Word to the wise: just because a soap has reached the place where it is safe to use, it does not necessarily mean it has matured to the the best it can be yet.
As long as your soap is tongue-neutral, go ahead and try it out. But save some bars for later- about 4 weeks or more down the road- and take note of the difference. If you're anything like me and many other soapers, you'll be amazed at the difference.
IrishLass
While it's true you can definitely hasten saponification to where the soap reaches tongue neutrality quicker and becomes safe to use, cure is a whole 'nuther ball of wax in my experience. Word to the wise: just because a soap has reached the place where it is safe to use, it does not necessarily mean it has matured to the the best it can be yet. As long as your soap is tongue-neutral, go ahead and try it out. But save some bars for later- about 4 weeks or more down the road- and take note of the difference. If you're anything like me and many other soapers, you'll be amazed at the difference.
IrishLass
You're welcome! I was also impatient when I first started making CP. It gradually taught me patience.
Lion Of Judah
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it is funny but this is something that i see almost in every soap forum ...... how to shorten cure time / and as far as i see patience is the only remedy , unless you re-batching. i "LOVE" waiting , nothing beats that joy
savonierre
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The more soap you make the more patient you become I think..
Paintguru
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Mostly because you usually have other soaps in the hopper so there is always a batch "ready to try/use"
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savonierre
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Exactly..
