Which Salt?

[HorseCreek]

All this talk of salt bars makes me want to try them out, lol. So which salt do you use to minimize the potential sweat issue? I know fine grain, and not Epsom or dead sea salt. Any of the others work particularly well?

 

[KristaY]

About 6 months ago I decided to do an "around the world" salt bar marathon. I used Pink Himalayan, Hawaiian Alaea, Pacific, and Mediterranean. They all turned out really well and about the same in the quality of the soap. I had a bit of trouble with the first batch of Hawaiian Alaea because the grains were a bit to big and scratchy in the shower. These are now at the utility sink in the garage to clean really grimy hands. Other than the size of the grain, I don't have a preference of type of sea salt. If you're considering cost, look for Tone's Sea Salt at Costco or Sam's Club. Good luck with your salt bars!

 

[Obsidian]

I just use cheap canning salt from the grocery store.

 

[navigator9]

You could use any size of grain if you made brine bars and dissolved the salt in the lye water first. Can you tell I'm not a fan of salt bars? Brine bars yes, salt bars.....not so much.

 

[jules92207]

Extra fine, but not all fine salts are equal in size. I personally like the fine sea salt from Target and someone recently posted about the sea salt at the dollar store was really good. I would just say finer the better, or grind it in the blender to be safe. That always works for me.

 

[TVivian]

Can I hijack this thread and ask if anyone has input. Do you add more fragrance to a salt bar recipe? I feel like the salt just sucks up the fragrance. Or maybe it's because I'm fragrancing PPO instead of fragrancing based on % of my entire batch weight and the salt adds so much more volume.

**Not sure that fragranc-ing is even a word.

 

[cmzaha]

Extra fine, but not all fine salts are equal in size. I personally like the fine sea salt from Target and someone recently posted about the sea salt at the dollar store was really good. I would just say finer the better, or grind it in the blender to be safe. That always works for me.

I do not recommend grinding salt in a ginder, it can sharpen the edges that can cut like a piece of glass. Maybe you have not experienced it but trust me it can. I find fine Pacific Sea salt the best in salt bars. Yes I do fragrance heavier with salt bars. Usually around 8%

 

[IrishLass]

I use fine sea salt in mine @ 25% ppo.

Re: FO: I don't find that I need to add any more FO to mine than I do for normal CP, but then again, the FOs I use for my salt bars are pretty strong stickers to begin with.

IrishLass

 

[JustBeachy]

Can I hijack this thread and ask if anyone has input. Do you add more fragrance to a salt bar recipe? I feel like the salt just sucks up the fragrance. Or maybe it's because I'm fragrancing PPO instead of fragrancing based on % of my entire batch weight and the salt adds so much more volume.

**Not sure that fragranc-ing is even a word.

I use my own blends to scent my salt bars and I do find I have to up the levels a bit on two of them.

And for the record, fragrancing is now a word!! You have created it and now own all copyrights to the word.

 

[shunt2011]

I too use fine sea salt. Get it from Costco or Walmart. I have also purchased it in bulk when on sale at WSP. I use it at 25-30% PPO and sometimes I do have to increase the fragrance a bit as some are a bit milder in my salt bars. Especially citrusy ones.

 

[jules92207]

I do not recommend grinding salt in a ginder, it can sharpen the edges that can cut like a piece of glass. Maybe you have not experienced it but trust me it can. I find fine Pacific Sea salt the best in salt bars. Yes I do fragrance heavier with salt bars. Usually around 8%

I am glad you said that cmzaha, I know others have mentioned that before about grinding it makes it sharp. When I did it I ground it to powder, there was nothing sharp left, but I agree it's probably not worth the risk. I think the salt I use is the fine Pacific Sea salt too, it's the best! (Edited - salt not soap! Lol!)

 

[HorseCreek]

Thanks for the replies!!! I'll have to raid the dollar store and see what they have, otherwise I have to ship it or wait until we make the trek to walmart again. I love living so far from anything, but it does make you plan ahead and practice patience.