I made some batches of soap at the end of summer and they worked perfectly, set quickly and dried out well, except for the one with too much coconut oil (50% - beginners mistake on calc). Batches were either 100% olive oil, or 50/50 Olive/Sunflower (low oleic) and these both turned out really well, set quickly with no problems at all. These were made at room temp, cooling the lye to match the oils.
I have recently made more soap, in Autumn (France 6-19 degC), recipe was Avocado 5%, CO(76d) 20%, OO 35%, Low Oleic Sunflower oil 40%. Plus peppermint EO. This recipe is taking days to set and has tiny oil beeds on top (I read in other thread that this will reabsorb). This batch was done at 120deg F with lye/oil differing by less than 10% temp.
Does the weather affect the soap making at all or will this recent batch still set properly over time? Any other suggestions are welcome. I hope the really experienced soapers don't mind these beginner questions too much.
I have recently made more soap, in Autumn (France 6-19 degC), recipe was Avocado 5%, CO(76d) 20%, OO 35%, Low Oleic Sunflower oil 40%. Plus peppermint EO. This recipe is taking days to set and has tiny oil beeds on top (I read in other thread that this will reabsorb). This batch was done at 120deg F with lye/oil differing by less than 10% temp.
Does the weather affect the soap making at all or will this recent batch still set properly over time? Any other suggestions are welcome. I hope the really experienced soapers don't mind these beginner questions too much.