Soda ash

[ninagrey]

I've been making soap for years. Had the occasional soda ash. However my recent Batch has been sitting 3 months, the Top zaps. Only the tops. I havent yet steamed them, I cut the top off and its fine.
There are no signs of it being lye heavy, I check my scales with a calibration weight before I use wvwrytime.
Any idea why the soda ash is causing a zap?

 

[Ekuzo]

Soda ash isn't supposed to zap. Maybe you got some undissolved lye that ended at the top of your batter when you poured?

Edit: always strain the lye solution, just in case. Especially if you put something in the liquid that changes the color and makes it hard to see properly, or if you use alternative liquid, etc

 

[DeeAnna]

Sodium carbonate (soda ash, washing soda, Na2CO3) has a pH of about 11. In my experience, it does indeed cause a slight zap sometimes. Not always, but sometimes.

I keep in mind it can happen, so I avoid areas with obvious soda ash if I want to test the soap itself.