icecold Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 The last few batches I made ashed awfully. Is there a secret to it? The soaps I made before in the fall were ok only one batch out of 10 ashed. Maybe its the weather. Any help is greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 See if something in this thread is of help to you:http://www.craftserver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77264&highlight=ash+soaps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 I made two batches of soap a couple weeks ago. The first was my regular recipe with mica color and cocoa powder swirls. It was beautiful but I forgot FO. I just left it on the counter for about 16 hours, I was disgusted. Beautiful soap, no FO. The next day it was white on top with ash.I made another batch the next day, same colors, same swirl but this time I added TN Love Spell. I put this batch in a 170* oven that I had just turned off but left the light on. I left it in the oven overnight and then unmolded at 24 hours. No ash. I have no idea what causes ash. I can gel some soaps and get horrible ash, others ash with no gel but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. I hope you figure it out, when you do, let me know, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminousBoutique Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Yep another "no idea what causes it" here. Some do.. some dont.. no rhyme or reason. You can clean the tops off with a gentle cloth (tshirt material, jersey) works well.. or you can embrace it if a customer asks, you just let them know it will wash off after the first use anyways.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debk Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 I read somewhere where the soap may not meet the full trace but who knows. I have had that problem in this cold weather. I started spritzing the top of my soap before putting the lid on and it helped. Don't know if it was the alcohol spritzing or the temperature was better or the trace was better, lol, but I don't vary from the way I make soap so I am thinking the alcohol helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icecold Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Do you wipe it with a damp cloth or dry? Thanks everyone for the help. I'll try the alcohol too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminousBoutique Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I use a damp cloth, just damp with some alcohol I wish I knew what caused it and how to prevent it but I just dont. I made a beautiful batch the other day, gorgeous... colors were perfect.. top was perfect, I did gorgeous swirls... then two days later, ash. TWO DAYS LATER. So.. well.. damn. hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inherowndominion Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 (edited) This is my own experience, but I find my soaps only ash if they change temperature too quickly. For example, if I insulate my molds let's say with saran wrap and towels, and I take the wrap/towels off when they are still real warm, it'll ash, bad. So I usually will take the towels off about 8-12 hours later, then an hour or two later the wrap.If I've NOT gelled them I usually put them in a cool room or even a fridge/freezer depending on the scent. I'll turn the temp up in the fridge/freezer for awhile, then take them out, put them in a cool room, then finally in a room temp room.Every since I've been doing this, I've not gotten ash. This is just my experience, but I thought it was worth posting.So if you are popping your soap out of the molds while they are still warm, try letting them totally cool down before hand and see if that helps. Edited January 24, 2011 by inherowndominion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icecold Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Thanks everyone for all the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 I've found that when soaping a formula high (say 75%+) in hard oils/butters that I need to ensure gel, else I get thick ash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 I used to get some thick, I mean thick, ash on my favorite formula. The only thing that has completely eliminated any ash is 91% alcohol. Once in the mold and the texture is how I want it (especially textured tops), I spritz with a fine mist sprayer until the whole top is wet. I may have to do it twice if I miss a spot. I never get ash any more and my tops are shiny as can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.