KFTS Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Okay, I tried my hand at soapmaking again yesterday, 3 lb batch. (only my 5th batch). Put the recipe in the MMS lye calculator. I used the medium percentage of lye (the green zone) and the maximum recommended water amount. So does using the max water % that mean it will be soft and take forever to cure? I felt it this morning and the top felt greasy and I wasn't sure if it was too soon to take it out, so I left it in the mold and will check it later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugenia Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Pretty much, yes. To make it easier to understand, the more water to lye, the less concentrated the lye solution. A standard solution is 33%. If you plug your numbers in here, it will show you how much water for that percentage. DWCP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFTS Posted July 15, 2006 Author Share Posted July 15, 2006 well crud, I won't do that again then. It is really soft. I think I shouldn't even cut it for a while? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugenia Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 well crud, I won't do that again then. It is really soft. I think I shouldn't even cut it for a while?Probably not. Go for the middle water number next time. If they say 8-12, use 10. Only exception is a floral or difficult FO, then use the full water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFTS Posted July 15, 2006 Author Share Posted July 15, 2006 I did the calculator and it said to use 9.95 oz water, I used 13 which comes out to 27% strength. Is it ruined since it was so watered down? I'm thinking the lower strength means it won't saponify as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFTS Posted July 15, 2006 Author Share Posted July 15, 2006 Probably not. Go for the middle water number next time. If they say 8-12, use 10. Only exception is a floral or difficult FO, then use the full water. I'll make a note of that, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugenia Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 It just means it will take longer to cure. As long as you have the correct lye amount you are ok. As the soap cures, it loses water. The more water to lose, the longer it will take to get hard. Stronger lye solution = faster cure, harder bar.e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFTS Posted July 15, 2006 Author Share Posted July 15, 2006 It just means it will take longer to cure. As long as you have the correct lye amount you are ok. As the soap cures, it loses water. The more water to lose, the longer it will take to get hard. Stronger lye solution = faster cure, harder bar.e Okay, guess I'll save it for Christmas presents! LOL, Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugenia Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Okay, guess I'll save it for Christmas presents! LOL, Thanks LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 It'll take longer but not forever. When I first started I didn't know about water discounts and used the full water amount. The wait wasn't that bad, maybe like a month or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 Yeah but that month or two seems like forever lol! Time to busy yourself with making more soaps Tanna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFTS Posted July 15, 2006 Author Share Posted July 15, 2006 So far at least it smells good and isn't ugly as sin like my last batch. I'll take a pic. It is scented NG Origins Ginger and FOH Lemon Sugar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFTS Posted July 15, 2006 Author Share Posted July 15, 2006 hope this pic comes up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFTS Posted July 15, 2006 Author Share Posted July 15, 2006 try this again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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