Hi there, I didn't see all your other questions before sorry.......so here are the answers.....
After you pour your M&P, do you spray with Alcohol?
And if so, what kind of alcohol are you using? (70%/91% Rubbing/Isopropyl etc)
Are these spots where it touches your mold or a surface that has been sprayed with Alcohol?
Yes, I spray with Alcohol. It's 90% Ethanol and it hasn't been sprayed on all the areas, just the top.
What kind of molds are you using?
It is a home made mold. It is a wooden loaf lined with plastic, which is taped at the corners to prevent leakages.
How old is your base?
I have only had the base a few months. I have asked the supplier about this had he says it's not old. He has been trying to help me find out what's wrong. He made a sample using one of my recipes (Litsea Cubeba, Lemon EO, Yellow Clay & Sea Kelp) and he didn't have the same problem, his stayed 'normal' after being used. He has even contacted the manufacturer for me, who replied that I could be putting too many things in the base, but the same thing (crystals) happens when it's just two EO's (e.g. Lemongrass & Lime) so I don't think that's the problem.
Are your fragrance oils/colorants made for M&P?
No they are not specifically for M & P. I use only EO's and clay for colour.
As for the soap that has been in the shower, I think that just may be from the lather drying on the surface in a humid environment. Is it tacky/sticky or dry?
The soap in the shower feels like any soap that has been in a shower! I made another with the same ingredients to see if the same thing would happen and it did but the other soap is slimy.
And my last thought...is this happening to all of your soaps, or just a few?
It is now happening to all the soaps! I don't think I had the problem at the beginning, or i just don't recall it. I know all soaps do funny things (well quite often they do) and I didn't really pay much attention to it at first and then i realised it was always happening a lot and I got worried.
It's kind of "Process of Elimination" when trying to find the cause of the problem, but if it were all your soaps, I would look into the base your using and the supplier you are getting it from.
I think that my supplier has ruled out it being the base that is the problem. He has been very helpful and took my concerns seriously. It must be something I am doing wrong, but if only i knew what it was. Is it in the cooling process? Would it help if I had a dehumidifer on when the soap was setting? The house feels cold and damp could that be it? Are there too many essentials oils in the soap (I only put in 2%). Is it the bain marie, does it need direct heat? Should I buy a heavy base pan to melt it in? I am asking myself all these questions! I wish I knew someone else who was using the same base as myself (Stephenson's ECO (Palm Free) Crystal clear base) to see how things are going for them!
