Soapmaking 101

Lesson 7: Troubleshooting

Trouble after you unmold

Hard, brittle bars

These bars will be difficult to cut even after a short time in the mold. These bars may have too much lye in them. Handle them carefully and test them with pH strips. If their pH does not read between 6 and 9 after 8 weeks, throw them away, they cannot be used on the skin.

White powder covering your soap

This is probably just soda ash, a harmless substance that can appear on soap as it cures. Soda ash can be scrapped off with a knife or washed off. To prevent soda ash, seal the soap with plastic wrap before insulating your mold. An excess of white powder, however, may indicate that too much lye has been used. To be sure, test their pH. If their pH does not read between 6 and 9 after 8 weeks, throw them away, they cannot be used.

Crumbly bars

These bars are probably highly caustic and should not be used on the skin. This is an indication that you used too much lye. To be sure, test their pH. If their pH does not read between 6 and 9 after 8 weeks, throw them away, they cannot be used.

Your bars have a mottled look (irregular coloration)

This is probably just aesthetic. However, if shiny, white chunks are visible in your soap, these are lye and your soap is highly caustic and should not be used.

  1  2  3  4  5