Do I really have to wait 6 weeks to use my soap?

[sanjosedave]

I've made around 15 batches of HP soap over the past year. This past weekend I made a batch of CP soap for the first time. It set up just fine overnight and I cut it into bars the next morning. This soap looks and feels just like my HP soap does at this point (which would then be ready to use). I tested the cut bars with phenolphthalein which indicated clear. This soap looks ready to use. Do I really have to wait 4-6 weeks to use it and if so, why?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[RobertBarnett]

No you do not have to wait. You can use it anytime you like. However it will get better with age and most of use feel that improvement is worth the wait. If this is your first batch try a bar now and one every week up to six weeks and see how it changes. Then decide for your self.

Robert

 

[Susie]

Do me a favor? Go grab an HP bar of soap made about 6 weeks ago, and grab another one of the same recipe made last week. Wash your hands with each of them. Then tell me about those soaps. Do they even lather the same? How do your hands feel after washing with them?

 

[Saponomancer]

If you use it now your skin is going to feel tight, and it will melt away into nothing.

Honestly you shouldn't be using the hot process that soon either, but it doesn't have the tightness problem afaik.

 

[lenarenee]

I ditto everything everyone else said - including the "no, you don't have to wait". That being said, for my personal use I test/use any bar at any age as long as I like it. If not, I put it back on the shelf for later. My standard recipe is lovely for me at 2 weeks - but I do not give it to others unless its 4 weeks since I have soft water and most people don't.

 

[Arimara]

I ditto everything everyone else said - including the "no, you don't have to wait". That being said, for my personal use I test/use any bar at any age as long as I like it. If not, I put it back on the shelf for later. My standard recipe is lovely for me at 2 weeks - but I do not give it to others unless its 4 weeks since I have soft water and most people don't.

Soft water is a blessing.

I like to wait about 3 months or so for any soap I do. It feels better on my skin after that long a cure and it's less likely to irritate my daughter on any level. That said, I suggest you wait it out. Also, Susie's suggestion is valid and would give a new perspective.

 

[Susie]

There is no substitute for personal experience. Learning it yourself by testing it yourself is invaluable.

 

[RobertBarnett]

I know several people that sell their hot process after 5 days of cure. I don't recommend it. It really does need at least six weeks, two months is better. I know it is hard to wait, but do as I suggested try a new bar a week for the six weeks and make notes of the differences in look, weight, feel, how it bubbles, etc. make it a part of the process so you can see why you wait. It is very interesting how the soap cures and changes over time.

Robert

 

[gdawgs]

I'm pretty new to soap making too and often wonder what's going on inside that bar. Last week I took a bar of soap that was two months old and cut it in half(it was a pretty thick bar). I was surprised to find that it was still a bit tacky in the middle. It felt somewhat similar to when you are cutting fresh soap and it has that tacky feeling at first, but goes away after a few hours.

It just takes a long time for that water to make its way out. I'm guessing that's why castile has to cure so long.

 

[dixiedragon]

Deanna explained it once. But it's not just water. If you are really curious about it, get Kevin Dunn's Scientific Soap Making.

 

[Arimara]

I'm pretty new to soap making too and often wonder what's going on inside that bar. Last week I took a bar of soap that was two months old and cut it in half(it was a pretty thick bar). I was surprised to find that it was still a bit tacky in the middle. It felt somewhat similar to when you are cutting fresh soap and it has that tacky feeling at first, but goes away after a few hours.

It just takes a long time for that water to make its way out. I'm guessing that's why castile has to cure so long.

I noticed that too around Christmas. I had but my seconds and third batches and they looked like chocolate & pb candy. It also explained why they seemed to disintegrate fast after you use the bar half way. I learned that after 3 months of curing, the soaps don't melt nearly as fast as a 6 week old.

 

[IrishLass]

Here are some very informative threads that I've collected on what happens during cure. The first link I provided is the most importantly informative/comprehensive of them all, but in all of them, pay especial attention to the posts made by DeeAnna:


http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=35831&page=2

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=35831

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=43979&highlight=crystal

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=43416&highlight=crystal


IrishLass

 

[dixiedragon]

So, in summary...MAGIC. <*

 

[TeresaT]

Here are some very informative threads that I've collected on what happens during cure. The first link I provided is the most importantly informative/comprehensive of them all, but in all of them, pay especial attention to the posts made by DeeAnna:


http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=35831&page=2

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=35831

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=43979&highlight=crystal

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=43416&highlight=crystal


IrishLass

Yes!! She's the "EF Hutton" of the SMF. When DeeAnna speaks, everybody listens!!