So I originally posted the message below as a conversation, not realizing it wasn't the same as a thread.
I got a number of great responses and wanted to share an update.
Original post:
"Hello, I still consider myself new to CP soap making (about 8 months). Recently, I have been attempting swirl soap. I am having an issue with it being very soft in the middle of the loaf when I cut it, causing it to drag and look bad. I am using a recipe with a 50/50 ratio of hard to soft oils. I add Sodium Lactate at the recommended ratio. I am following a superfat of 1% for my lye and also slightly discount the liquid (using 95% of the recommended liquid). I leave it in the silicone loaf mold about 3 days. All slices after the end slices are very gooey in the middle and there are ugly drag marks on those bars. I have tried cutting off the ends, then leaving it for a day, then cut 2 more bars, one from each end; then waiting for another day and cutting again, etc. This has worked the best, but is not ideal, as by the time I get to the last cut the outer edges want to crumble. Do I need to increase my hard oils? I went to 50/50, as I understood this was better for swirling. Also, does soaping temperature matter? I often add honey in with my oils and so typically soap at low temperatures, 90-100 F, then refrigerate the loaf for 24 hours. I refrigerate because of the honey. I am a beekeeper and love to add honey to my soap. My understanding was that you want to prevent gel if you use sugary ingredients, like honey or replace the liquid with boiled cider, etc.
So the basic recipe I used for my swirl soaps was:
9 oz Olive oil
5 oz Palm oil
5 oz Coconut oil
1 oz Sweet Almond Oil
2.98 oz lye
6.33 oz liquid
.3 oz Sodium Lactate
1.5 teaspoons honey
1.2 oz Essential oil
Oxide colorant mixed with a little almond oil from above"
I got a number of great responses and wanted to share an update.
Original post:
"Hello, I still consider myself new to CP soap making (about 8 months). Recently, I have been attempting swirl soap. I am having an issue with it being very soft in the middle of the loaf when I cut it, causing it to drag and look bad. I am using a recipe with a 50/50 ratio of hard to soft oils. I add Sodium Lactate at the recommended ratio. I am following a superfat of 1% for my lye and also slightly discount the liquid (using 95% of the recommended liquid). I leave it in the silicone loaf mold about 3 days. All slices after the end slices are very gooey in the middle and there are ugly drag marks on those bars. I have tried cutting off the ends, then leaving it for a day, then cut 2 more bars, one from each end; then waiting for another day and cutting again, etc. This has worked the best, but is not ideal, as by the time I get to the last cut the outer edges want to crumble. Do I need to increase my hard oils? I went to 50/50, as I understood this was better for swirling. Also, does soaping temperature matter? I often add honey in with my oils and so typically soap at low temperatures, 90-100 F, then refrigerate the loaf for 24 hours. I refrigerate because of the honey. I am a beekeeper and love to add honey to my soap. My understanding was that you want to prevent gel if you use sugary ingredients, like honey or replace the liquid with boiled cider, etc.
So the basic recipe I used for my swirl soaps was:
9 oz Olive oil
5 oz Palm oil
5 oz Coconut oil
1 oz Sweet Almond Oil
2.98 oz lye
6.33 oz liquid
.3 oz Sodium Lactate
1.5 teaspoons honey
1.2 oz Essential oil
Oxide colorant mixed with a little almond oil from above"
