What creates soda ash?

[misfities]

I made some aloe soap. Some turned out ok after about two weeks, but the others have a very deep half of them pure white soda ash. Mostly these are the ones I did in a loaf mold, and then cut later on. The ones that turned out alright were the single mold pieces.

The stand-alone picture is obviouslly the piece that had the problem.
I'm thinking maybe its a heating thing? I did not insulate my loaf mold, but the stand-alone molds probably keep themselves insulated.

Thanks for your insights.

 

[lsg]

Click on this link for information: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/explaining-and-preventing-soda-ash/

 

[momma_mayham]

I found a great link in the cold process board for a way to help if you have ash just in the top if your log mold. But of course I can't find it now! Arianne from La Fille de la Mer did a video of or of her soaps and she just non shalontly (I know, that's not really a word) rinsed her soap under warm water still in the mold! Genius! So I had to try it! Heck it worked! A bit of water got between my soap and the silicone mold, so I just propped it in it's side, rolled the towel under the "bottom" and let it sit for a few hours. Now I have really pretty soap with glisteny tops
Good luck!

 

[kumudini]

Ditto here! Ok, better!