These two salt bars were made with the same recipe, both lathered in hands for 20 seconds. The first is 7 months old, the second is 5 weeks old. No contest.
Cure time Doubters? A Visual
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I found a couple of bars from this batch that I had stashed away, and thought I would post an update. This bar is the 5 week old soap in the original post, now about 2 years old. It is heavenly.
Beautiful lather. This is exactly why I age salt bars a min of 6 months before going to market with 1 year being the best. Three year old salt bars are better yet and those I prize and keep for myself. 
Love my old salt bars.
Love my old salt bars.
jcandleattic
Well-Known Member
I'm using the last bar I have left from this thread in my shower at the moment - (the ones that didn't crumble that is) and man o man is it nice!!
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/my-lovely-salt-soaps-unmolded-pic-heavy.26474/
I have a few that are about 2 years old that I'll start using once this one is gone.
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/my-lovely-salt-soaps-unmolded-pic-heavy.26474/
I have a few that are about 2 years old that I'll start using once this one is gone.
@jcandleattic 7 years old?!! I can't even imagine.
jcandleattic
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I guess so. I thought it was more like 10, thought I made those in 2009 but I guess it was 2012. They are FANTASTIC!
That’s too is the reason I cure mine a good long time. Thanks for the visual.
Love it when I find a old salt bar hidden in the soap stash.
jcandleattic
Well-Known Member
Depends on the scent of course, but mine (which is 7+ years old) still has a faint fruity smell to it. (It was originally scented in Jamaica Me Crazy)
This was scented with Citrus Bath from Fragrance Buddy. Amazingly, it still smells great!
Alfa_Lazcares
Well-Known Member
I used one of my salt bars that was 6 months old and it only smelled like... soap. It was scented with lavander EO so I was expecting that.
I agree, @Alfa_Lazcares - most EOs probably won't last for over a year with the possible exception of patchouli and lemongrass. I've had several FOs last a year, though. I have a coconut salt bar that is about a year old that is faint, but still there and an orange blossom blend that is also pretty strong at a year.
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Interesting. How much salt do you use, or does that make a difference? I use up to 40%, and get more of a foamy lather than big bubbles.
The fragrance used makes a difference in the lather too. When I use Salty Mariner, Arabian Spice, Black salt and Cypress, the lather is quite respectable at one month.
I need to make some more salt bars, I have no plain Jane ones for myself!
The fragrance used makes a difference in the lather too. When I use Salty Mariner, Arabian Spice, Black salt and Cypress, the lather is quite respectable at one month.
I need to make some more salt bars, I have no plain Jane ones for myself!
I'd have to look to be sure, but I have been using 50% salt for awhile now. It seems to cut down on the ash. I use individual cavity molds and encourage gel, but would still get a lot of ash at higher amounts. We do have soft water, so that might make a difference with the bubbles. I noticed when I tried cocoa butter at 10% instead of a liquid oil it really affected the lather - not in a good way.Interesting. How much salt do you use, or does that make a difference? I use up to 40%, and get more of a foamy lather than big bubbles.
The fragrance used makes a difference in the lather too. When I use Salty Mariner, Arabian Spice, Black salt and Cypress, the lather is quite respectable at one month.
I need to make some more salt bars, I have no plain Jane ones for myself!
I have moderately hard water and use 35% salt. Much more and it's hard to lather, I also get more of a thick foamy lather.
Butters and lard really reduce lather too. I only use coconut and a little OO or similar.
Butters and lard really reduce lather too. I only use coconut and a little OO or similar.
