Can soap turn moldy without fresh nor botanical ingredients?

[Rozi Ismail]

Hi everyone, my name is Rozi. I am a total beginner at soap making. I recently made a loaf using the following recipe. It looked awesome at first but turned moldy a week after I cut it. Please can anyone tell me what went wrong?

Recipe:

- olive 45%
- coconut 30%
- sweet almond 15%
- castor 10%
-active charcoal - abt 1 tablespoon
- micas in silver, red and white (all in small dosages to get the colours I want).

I attached some pictures to show how it looked from the beginning (the last pictures show the dotted molds)...if that helps...

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[shunt2011]

I don't think it's mold. It looks more like ash to me which is only a cosmetic issue. Can you wash it off? Soap wouldn't mold in a week.

 

[AliOop]

I agree, that looks like soda ash to me. Very normal and totally harmless.

 

[Rozi Ismail]

shunt2011, AliOop - thank you for responding so quickly. I tried washing it off the moment I read your messages. It did went away but I had to really rub it off (the dots were very lumpy). I will let it dry and update further if anything. Thanks again - appreciate it!

 

[AliOop]

Yes, some ash spots are harder to wash off than others, especially if it crystalizes into lumps. And sometimes it comes back. You can also plane it off if washing doesn't completely remove it.

Using the search box at the top of the page, type in "how to reduce ash". You will find some good threads about how to reduce or prevent ash by covering the soap immediately after pouring, reducing water content, spraying with rubbing alcohol, CPOP'ing, etc. Good luck!

 

[DeeAnna]

I agree with the others -- it's not mold.

It looks like these dots are somehow associated with the pinky swirls. What about that part of the soap might be different than the rest of the soap?

 

[Rozi Ismail]

Yes, some ash spots are harder to wash off than others, especially if it crystalizes into lumps. And sometimes it comes back. You can also plane it off if washing doesn't completely remove it.

Using the search box at the top of the page, type in "how to reduce ash". You will find some good threads about how to reduce or prevent ash by covering the soap immediately after pouring, reducing water content, spraying with rubbing alcohol, CPOP'ing, etc. Good luck!

I agree with the others -- it's not mold.

It looks like these dots are somehow associated with the pinky swirls. What about that part of the soap might be different than the rest of the soap?

You’re right. Not so much on the rest of the soap. Seem to affect the pinks more. But I used mica to get the colour... I’m just happy its not mold..

 

[Rozi Ismail]

Yes, some ash spots are harder to wash off than others, especially if it crystalizes into lumps. And sometimes it comes back. You can also plane it off if washing doesn't completely remove it.

Using the search box at the top of the page, type in "how to reduce ash". You will find some good threads about how to reduce or prevent ash by covering the soap immediately after pouring, reducing water content, spraying with rubbing alcohol, CPOP'ing, etc. Good luck!

Thank you! I will do that.