Soap Making 101

[glenolam]

You could use something with metal shelves. Just put a layer of wax or freezer paper down. You could even take some cardboard and line the metal shelves with that and you're good to go.

As SD and FarmerDenise said, as long as it's cool and dry you're good to go.

I actually use these rubbermaid stackable laundry baskets as my curing space. There's 4 of them and I have them stacked in my spare bedroom - it's always cold and dry in that room.

The curing time is like aging cheese and wine - the longer the better. Soap can be used as soon as it passes the 'zap test' (stick your tounge to a bar that's been poured about 24 hrs ago and if you get zapped, like sticking your tounge to a 9v battery, it's not yet done), but it will not last very long and might be a bit harsh to the skin.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

'zap test' (stick your tounge to a bar that's been poured about 24 hrs ago and if you get zapped, like sticking your tounge to a 9v battery, it's not yet done), but it will not last very long and might be a bit harsh to the skin.

* thinks about how Ralphie in The Christmas Story got a bar of soap in his mouth for saying the "F" word (fudge) and dreamed of how 'they would be so sorry' when he went blind from... soap... poisoning.... *

i think i have a job for The Big Man... official soap tester. he also has to test the electric fence by the way....

 

[glenolam]

Tell him that the only way to make sure if the fence works correctly and at the right voltage is to straddle it.

 

[savingdogs]

Do all your guy friends have to taste soap or something?

I'm still stuck back there on the dude who ate the chocolate soap.

How was he the next day?

 

[valmom]

OK, I have not heard about not curing soap on metal? Tell me about that, please. I have been curing my soap on a table covered with a towel (to catch soap bits) on cookie racks, and it seems to work fine? Well, except in the summer when it is too humid everywhere to cure anything except down in the basement where the mice eat the soap.

 

[savingdogs]

I cured some soap on a metal rack designed for cooling cookies, etc., originally. I had it "covered" with wax paper.

Well my industrious kitties decided to move things around on the table.
The bars of soap that slipped off the wax paper and onto the straight metal (not stainless steel) turned all brown and spotted looking and were spoiled. I don't the know the chemical reason, maybe someone else can explain. But don't cure it near metal.

Also, make sure it is not too humid. If it is too humid, it can turn rancid.

 

[Damummis]

I made my first batch of crisco soap. I unmold it today.

 

[Farmfresh]

Before the soap is well cured the lye in it is still slightly reactive with metal. That is why you should only use stainless steel or plastic or silicone or glass to make soap in. The reaction causes little bits of the mineral to flake off and they sometimes can be absorbed by the soap. I often cut little mats out of the plastic mat stuff used for needlepoint. It keeps the soap off of the hard surface allowing it to cure faster and it is non reactive.

 

[Farmfresh]

I made my first batch of crisco soap. I unmold it today.

How did it turn out so far? Have you cut it yet? If not don't wait too long because it gets harder and harder.

 

[savingdogs]

I made my first batch of crisco soap. I unmold it today.

I'm dying to hear how yours came out. We really liked it. Did you have a hard time getting it in the molds and what not?

I found it to be a soft recipe and it worked better to let it chill in the freezer before unmolding.