Can hot process soap be used immediately?
I have since learned from a few soap makers who shared their knowledge that while hot process doesn’t necessarily require a six week wait, you will find the texture and hardness of the soap improves after a 1-2 week wait time. So while you can use it right away if you want, it’ll be better if you still wait a bit.
How do you know when your hot process soap is done?
As the soap cooks in the crock pot, it will start to gel along the sides of the crock pot, because that is where the soap is hottest. You can tell the soap is gelling because it becomes translucent (which means you can kind of see through it and it looks like jelly). Once the soap is fully gelled, it is done cooking!
What does yogurt do to hot process soap?
Add yogurt once your soap is fully cooked for a fluid batter. Plain greek or regular yogurt is one of the most common additives to help your batter become more fluid. You can add up to 1.5 tablespoons per pound of oils to achieve a looser, easier to swirl batter.
Can you overcook hot process soap?
Be sure not to overcook the soap; you don’t want too dry a texture for the next steps! NOTE: The amount of time that the soap takes in the Crock Pot phase can depend on the size and shape of your Crock Pot.
Which is better cold or hot process soap?
Unlike cold process soap, that lasts for 4-6 weeks, hot process soap can be used immediately after it hardens. However, by giving it a week or so, the bar can harden up considerably and allow an opportunity for the water to evaporate and will make a harder, longer-lasting bar.
How long do you let homemade soap cure?
It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for a soap to dry and the lye to be totally transformed. The time we leave your soap to cure depends on the oils and percentage of water used in the recipe. When we use a recipe with discounted water, 4 weeks may be enough for the curing process.
How long does it take for hot process soap to harden?
Cover the soap and set it aside. It will take 24 to 48 hours to cool down and harden enough to unmold and cut. Since the saponification process is complete, the soap is technically ready to use as soon as you cut it, but like cold process soap, it will benefit from a cure of a few weeks.
How long does it take for hot process soap to cure?
Most hot process soap will be fully cooled and ready to unmold and cut in about 24 hours. As with any bar of soap, the longer it sits, the harder and better it will be. Letting it sit for at least a week will really make a difference in the overall quality of your bar.
What is better cold or hot process soap?
What is the shelf life of homemade soap?
Average bar of homemade soap: Many natural homemade bars of soap should be good for up to 3 years. Old-fashioned soap made using just lye and lard: These simple bars of soap may last 5 years or more.
What does adding salt to soap do?
The hardness of your soap is directly related to the types, balance, and qualities of the oils you’re using. Different oils make your soap harder or softer, depending on their fatty acid makeup. However, many soap makers add a bit of salt to their soap to help increase the hardness.
Why does lye soap have to cure?
When we are making soap we use distilled water or milk to dissolve the Sodium hydroxide (lye), which is needed for producing the soap. When we take out the soap from the mold, it still contains water and lye. This is why the soap needs a period of time, called curing, to allow it to be in the best condition to be used.