Challenges in Soaping

Sometimes, no matter how many times you make something, the soaping gremlins rear their little heads.

Last night, I made two batches of soap. One in a new design that I will release in 7 weeks and one called Oregon Skies. I was soaping at a temperature that was a couple of degrees hotter than normal. This caused the soap to accelerate (thicken) and rice (separate). I did manage to get it into the mold but when I cut it today, it was bumpy and not at a quality that I am willing to sell it at. They will perform as well as they should but I don’t like how they look.

Instead, I cut the bars in half and will cure them for samples. This is one of the challenges of soap making, sometimes, your fragrance doesn’t behave and you have to adapt and make other plans. I have the lye water solution made and I will make this soap again. I will have to mix in the colors and the fragrance by hand and hold my breath while saying a prayer to the soap gods.