Ghost Swirl Questions

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New soaper. Still experminenting. I've done a couple of Ghost Swirls - 30/44 and 33/50. I love the lather feel of the 30/44 bar and would like to replicate in a single lye concentration soap. Can I just take an average of the two concentrations to come up with a single lye concentration?
 
I can't think of a reason that lye concentration would noticeably affect soap qualities in a cured soap. What is it that you feel is different about the feel of the 30/44 bar compared with the 33/50 bar?
 
I can't think of a reason that lye concentration would noticeably affect soap qualities in a cured soap. What is it that you feel is different about the feel of the 30/44 bar compared with the 33/50 bar?
You’ve actually answered my question. I was under the impression that the lye concentration affected the quality of the soap. But I guess it doesn’t? So I can take the ingredients I used for my ghost swirl soap and just make a bar with any lye concentration that I like?
 
Last edited:
Soap qualities (as they're called in Soap Calc) or Recipe Qualities (as they're called in Soap Making Friend) are determined mostly by the fats/oils used in a recipe. Additives, such as sugar or beer, modify those primary qualities, e.g. both sugar and beer help to create more/bigger bubbles. If you found a recipe that you like, you can make it at any lye concentration that works for you and your recipe. A higher lye concentration will produce a harder soap initially compared with a lower lye concentration, but that difference should evaporate away 😉 as the soap cures. There are pros and cons to the use of various lye concentrations, which you may already have a feel for since you've made batter using lye concentrations ranging from 30% to 50%.
 
Soap qualities (as they're called in Soap Calc) or Recipe Qualities (as they're called in Soap Making Friend) are determined mostly by the fats/oils used in a recipe. Additives, such as sugar or beer, modify those primary qualities, e.g. both sugar and beer help to create more/bigger bubbles. If you found a recipe that you like, you can make it at any lye concentration that works for you and your recipe. A higher lye concentration will produce a harder soap initially compared with a lower lye concentration, but that difference should evaporate away 😉 as the soap cures. There are pros and cons to the use of various lye concentrations, which you may already have a feel for since you've made batter using lye concentrations ranging from 30% to 50%.
🥰 Thank you!! I really love this community. You all are so generous with your time and expertise!! I never understand why makers changed their lye concentrations. Thanks again! I learned a lot!!
 

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