tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post5595189557531175130..comments2023-04-15T05:57:49.200-05:00Comments on I'd Lather Be Soaping: The Dreaded Soda AshLatherBeSoapinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-14153942606459418532015-02-07T19:16:21.559-06:002015-02-07T19:16:21.559-06:00Hi, Aleta! Thanks so much for your comments. I'...Hi, Aleta! Thanks so much for your comments. I'm glad that the post was helpful and that the steaming method has worked well for you. I usually avoid insulating and covering milk soaps - and soaps with ingredients like beer, wine, honey, fruits/veggies etc. - to avoid overheating. I really like Soaping101's video, too - it did a great job showing possible ways to deal with soda ash. Thanks for reading!LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-9733685188143111922015-02-07T09:53:45.157-06:002015-02-07T09:53:45.157-06:00Thank you so much! I have a problem (perfectionis...Thank you so much! I have a problem (perfectionist and artist) when the soda ash gathers on my artisan tops..I have tried steaming, rubbing alcohol, and covering. I noticed you suggested not to cover milk soaps (i make goat milk soap).<br />Steaming has worked best and brings out the intensity of the natural colorants and fun swirls .<br />Agai,n thank you so much. Great video and post.<br />AletaAletahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15417976035026118009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-81659757931951559902013-12-30T15:50:23.298-06:002013-12-30T15:50:23.298-06:00Hi, Corina! Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for...Hi, Corina! Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for your comments! I rarely use plastic wrap anymore, as it tends to create wrinkles in the tops of my soaps. (It does seem to help deter soda ash, though!) When I have used plastic wrap, I haven't noticed any overheating. Wooden molds do retain heat better than silicone molds. It sounds like you got a full gel on the batch made with the wooden mold, and the plastic wrap probably helped avoid ashing. I wonder if maybe the soap in the uninsulated silicone mold didn't gel, leading to a tacky texture? Ungelled soap can stay softer for longer than gelled soaps do. I haven't experienced soft, tacky ash myself, but I'm thinking it might have something to do with not gelling. I usually soap around 100-110 degrees, but I'll soap around 80-90 degrees if I'm using ingredients that may overheat or if I want to avoid accelerated trace. If you are worried about overheating - especially with milks and other sugars - you can pop the soap into the fridge or freezer overnight. (Make sure that you let the soap thaw before cutting so it doesn't crumble. The soap will probably be softer, too, since it likely won't gel in the freezer. You may want to give it a few extra days before cutting.) I hope that helps! Thanks again for reading!LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-78387399967488511882013-12-28T12:01:10.155-06:002013-12-28T12:01:10.155-06:00OOPS! Not sure why that last incomplete thought i...OOPS! Not sure why that last incomplete thought is at the end : ( Sorry! Any advice you could offer would be wonderful. Thanks for your time!!<br />CorinaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058539392799284394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-4908771122072991232013-12-28T11:58:25.113-06:002013-12-28T11:58:25.113-06:00Hi Jenny,
Thanks for the tips and for the video fr...Hi Jenny,<br />Thanks for the tips and for the video from Soaping 101. My question for you when you do use plastic wrap is has it ever caused overheating? I don't use sugar or milk yet. I don't use palm (which I am assuming would make a denser soap). I use combinations of olive, sweet almond oil, shea, coconut, and/or avocado oils. On one of my bars I got a very tacky soda ash (silicone mold), which even after 4 weeks of curing, still was tacky (but with that same recipe, but in a wood mold, I did not). Now, what I did get with the wood mold - using plastic wrap, was a complete gel - a bit of overheating after 12 hours, so I unwrapped it, and had oily residue for about 3 days after I unmolded it. I used sweet orange and cedarwood). <br /><br />Do you have any advice or reasoning about why the wooden log overheated a bit or why the same recipe in an uninsulated silicone mold got tacky soda ash?<br /><br />So, I guess I am wond Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14058539392799284394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-83020710202287197962013-10-09T15:15:36.354-05:002013-10-09T15:15:36.354-05:00You're welcome, Angie! And thank you for your ...You're welcome, Angie! And thank you for your comments. I'm glad that the post was helpful!LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-78388793263815056022013-10-08T14:28:26.046-05:002013-10-08T14:28:26.046-05:00Hi Jenny! I spent alot of time last night rinsing...Hi Jenny! I spent alot of time last night rinsing soda ash from a batch I made about 3 weeks ago. I used a little water and alcohol and a toothbrush. It came out pretty good, but I'm totally trying the steam next time. I love the polished look. Thanks so much!!Angie T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13852171544788795149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-29002230716549989942013-08-13T13:06:35.977-05:002013-08-13T13:06:35.977-05:00Hi, Jessie! I'm so glad that the post was help...Hi, Jessie! I'm so glad that the post was helpful! Steaming seems to be an easy and effective way to get rid of ash. I've done it several times now with excellent results. Thanks for reading!LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-1373023467457601202013-08-11T18:35:37.482-05:002013-08-11T18:35:37.482-05:00Thank you for posting this with such detailed proc...Thank you for posting this with such detailed process of steaming. Though I have not tried if it would work for me but I believe it will. Hubby made the soap mold with a lid and I spritz too, but once in a while I still get ash soda. I'm totally with you, it could be all factors lead to it. So happy and thankful :)Jessie Yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00116649664055474463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-18978290750304348722013-07-24T16:04:03.667-05:002013-07-24T16:04:03.667-05:00Hi, Mosaic, and thanks for your comments! I've...Hi, Mosaic, and thanks for your comments! I've gotten better at texturing the tops over the past year. I've learned to be more patient when it comes to waiting for the tops to set up a bit before texturing. Sometimes I pop the soap into the fridge to help it set up faster. I haven't tried piping soap or making soap cupcakes yet. I admire your patience and skill to make soap cupcakes! I'll bet your little one had fun working on that soap with you! Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog, and best wishes to you with your soap business!LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-89749960012886712672013-07-23T21:53:12.554-05:002013-07-23T21:53:12.554-05:00Jenny, just happened across your page. To texture...Jenny, just happened across your page. To texture your soap tops you need thicker trace. It also helps to mix the lye and oils at a lower temperature. I like to texture the oatmeal, milk, and honey soap that I sell. My daughter and I also like to make "cupcake soap" and decorate the tops. I actually allow the soap for decorating to cool down and thicken up to the consistency of icing. Then I use cake decorating bags and tips to put "icing" on the "cupcakes" the same way I do regular cakes. It took quite a bit for the three-year-old to understand it was fancy soap. :)Mosaichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05159254143921547652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-44884740560952807732013-06-24T16:17:31.923-05:002013-06-24T16:17:31.923-05:00Excellent! I'm glad to hear that the plastic w...Excellent! I'm glad to hear that the plastic wrap worked well for you, Luke! Thanks again for stopping by. :)LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-12916535849403525352013-06-22T07:50:13.534-05:002013-06-22T07:50:13.534-05:00I tried the saran wrap, really helps :)
Thank youI tried the saran wrap, really helps :)<br />Thank youAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14771303894842397508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-65684682122220625222013-06-16T17:19:02.381-05:002013-06-16T17:19:02.381-05:00Hi, Luke! Thanks for your comments! When I cover t...Hi, Luke! Thanks for your comments! When I cover the top with plastic wrap, I remove the plastic after the soap has gelled and cooled down, usually the next morning. Then the water in the soap can evaporate normally. Sometimes the plastic can create pockets from condensation or creases on the top if it isn't placed carefully. I used to use plastic wrap more often, but I tend to skip it now to ensure prettier tops. And if I do get ash, it's easy to steam away!LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-61441395686465869882013-06-15T01:40:28.321-05:002013-06-15T01:40:28.321-05:00Nice Article, Jenny: If we cover soap gel with sar...Nice Article, Jenny: If we cover soap gel with saran wrap, how does the water evaporate?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14771303894842397508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-53362648147032213862013-05-15T16:04:07.046-05:002013-05-15T16:04:07.046-05:00Thanks so much for your comments! I'm glad to ...Thanks so much for your comments! I'm glad to hear that this was helpful! Steaming is a quick and easy way to get rid of soda ash without marring the soap. It has worked out great for me so far!LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-27338099544001244032013-05-12T00:44:25.342-05:002013-05-12T00:44:25.342-05:00I definitely need to try the steaming technique! ...I definitely need to try the steaming technique! I have stayed away from textured tops due to soda ash. I always wondered "How would I clean the soap without destroying it?" Thanks for sharing. This is very very helpful!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-64665580634981943922013-01-11T07:49:11.661-06:002013-01-11T07:49:11.661-06:00Hi, Jayme, and thanks for stopping by! Unfortunate...Hi, Jayme, and thanks for stopping by! Unfortunately, I don't have any experience making soap with sodium carbonate. From the little bit of online research I've done, it sounds like sodium carbonate isn't suitable for making handmade soap or toiletry items. I have seen it used in laundry soap recipes (such as this one: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm), and it sounds like it produces a liquid gel soap instead of a solid bar. I am only a hobbyist soapmaker sharing my experiences, so you may want to check out a soapmaking forum to get more advice from other soapmakers - Teach Soap (http://www.teachsoap.com/forum) and Talk Soap (http://www.talksoapforum.com) are a couple of active forums with members of various experience levels. Perhaps some folks there would have some ideas, too. I hope that helps some. Best wishes to you!LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-22758278071536559422013-01-11T07:08:48.949-06:002013-01-11T07:08:48.949-06:00Help!! You seem like an expert soapster and so I h...Help!! You seem like an expert soapster and so I have a question we are doing a soap microfinance business in ghana and were using palm oil shea butter and sodium hydroxide but our supplies of sodium hydroxide ran out and so we tried replacing it with sodium carbonate and it FAILED we need help on how to make soap using our fats( palm oil and shea butter) and our base soda ash( sodium carbonate) . Do you have any advice or ideas? ThankyouJaymeandMaliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05167989547360061085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-83645890282406424542012-11-24T10:15:49.879-06:002012-11-24T10:15:49.879-06:00Hi, Deb! Thanks so much for your comments. You'...Hi, Deb! Thanks so much for your comments. You're very welcome - I am so happy to hear that steaming worked so well for you, too! It really is a great way to easily get rid of soda ash without messing up the tops. I have some bars that I steamed months ago and the ash is still gone. Thanks again for your kind words, and thanks for reading! Happy soaping! :)LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-83766640936169400192012-11-24T03:59:16.359-06:002012-11-24T03:59:16.359-06:00Hi Jenny... I am relatively new to the whole soap ...Hi Jenny... I am relatively new to the whole soap making experience... lovin it except for the occasional attack of the 'Soda Ash'.. Sometimes this has appeared a week down the track... not sure what has happened to cause this... Anyway, I have just had the kettle on and steamed the ash away!!! Its AWESOME!!! THANKYOU!!!!! I am soooo excited to have discovered an easy way to eliminate the problem as I am a self confessed perfectionist. Gotta have pretty tops... Thanks Heaps!!!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10864502569405471267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-52844263669269706262012-09-10T08:05:12.637-05:002012-09-10T08:05:12.637-05:00Hi, Adrienne, and thanks for your comments! And th...Hi, Adrienne, and thanks for your comments! And thank you for the tip - you're right, covering the soap definitely helps. I usually put a layer of plastic cling wrap over my soap if the tops are flat and that does eliminate a lot of soda ash problems. LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-22507530700580813582012-09-09T16:12:30.575-05:002012-09-09T16:12:30.575-05:00Hi Jenny, Susan Miller Cavitch also deals with thi...Hi Jenny, Susan Miller Cavitch also deals with this problem in The Soapmakers Companion page 180. She suggests that a cover over it while insulating works for her. I do it now and have eliminated my soda ash problem completely. I hope this helps others.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00033750250822151153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-22763166519762652752012-06-15T09:58:26.202-05:002012-06-15T09:58:26.202-05:00Hi, Katie, and thank you for your comments! I'...Hi, Katie, and thank you for your comments! I'm so glad to hear that the post was helpful and that the steaming method solved your soda ash problem. Steaming is such and easy and effective way to get rid of ash - I wish I had known about it sooner, too! :)LatherBeSoapinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18018716091511424218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3373649330246824979.post-78487443978124983612012-06-14T15:47:01.727-05:002012-06-14T15:47:01.727-05:00Yes, I do have a problem with soda ash and yes I d...Yes, I do have a problem with soda ash and yes I do hate it! LOL Just recently I wanted a beautiful chocolate color and it turned out lovely,and then it ashed quite bad. But, I recently tried the steam method and it was FANTASTIC! I wish so bad I taken before and after pictures. Thanks for the great post! :)Katie Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03639471742775324409noreply@blogger.com