Problems in Soap Making {eliminating soda ash from soap} | Soaping101 

Hi, you just saved my christmas presents! I made soap for my friends and had the so called soda ash on the surface. I didn't even know that this problem exists! So I searched on your channel for help and got the perfect video which saved my soapbars. It worked perfectly! Thank you so much!

Can I just say thank you?? I've been making some cupcake soaps for a friend and they all come out ashy. then someone suggested I put them in a low heated oven (I guess it would be like CPOP) and they came out miles better! It's nice to learn that there are other ways to get rid. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you for this video. I love any class that allows me to stay in my jammies!

@DivaDvora Awe, you are very welcome! Glad that the oven incubating works well for you. I am not really sure if the heat is helping with the ash it but putting the soap in the oven overnight will keep your soap in a sealed space that is free of circulating air + moisture. I actually just leave mine in the oven with the light on for heat... this helps my soaps gel evenly :)

Excellent again, Katherine... I've been using the steam method and it does work but not having a nifty steamer like the one you showed I have to be careful not to burn my fingers! It does change the surface of the soap to a shiny gloss but looks better than the ash! Very informative....Oh... one more thing. I was told to put my soaps in a covered plastic bin for 24-48 hours after unmolding. It does seem to have eliminated a lot of ash problems but not completely. Thanks again!!

HI! I just found your channel and I am so happy! I am new to soaping and I was getting very discouraged with myself. Whenever I make a colored soap I always end up with soda ash even though I try so hard not to. I actually have a steamer because I have been a seamstress for the last 45 years. I want to retire in a few years and I have always wanted soaping to be a little side hustle but I was beginning to get discouraged. But you just gave me the knowledge and Encouragement I needed to have and I thank-you so very much. Liked & Subscribed! can't wait to see what else you have, love the opening music btw

This video was amazingly helpful! Thank you!

Thanks!!! I did a vid on this yesterday and a lot of ladies said they hadn't heard of the steam method thanks for confirming that it does indeed work.

@KindredBlissBB It is actually a garment steamer :) Thanks so much for letting us know how you combat the ash!

Great info! Ash can really get on my nerves!

@tashaislovnit I really think the steam is the best option too. And because I do not use melt + pour embeds in my soap, there is no worries about melted soap :)

Hi, Thanks for sharing your theories! I sometimes have serious ash problems especially using Lavender ess oil for some reason. I find the alcohol works, keeping it covered and making the soap gell all help but sometimes it still happens anyway. More superfat also helps. To remove ash I just wash the surface of the soap. I appreciate any ideas which might help so thanks again.

thanks for all the work you do. your videos are so amazing! I have a huge problem with ash on my cupcakes. alcohol works some but not the greatest for all the nooks and cranys. When all else fails I add glitter :P

thankyou so much !!! 😊 from New Zealand 🌵🌵🌵

Aww, thanks Karen! Teamwork rocks :)

I've read that one soaper had her ash tested & found it to just be another form of soap - a crystaline form of soap, so like you say, it's harmless, just ugly. :)

@kayorcee Wonderful, I am glad this works for you too!

Great video!! I just had a batch with a mantra swirl that ashed badly on me. I'm pulling out the steamer today to see if I can get rid of it. Thank you!!

This is a great video. I appreciate this information.

Doesn't it seem odd that if humidity is a problem that causes ash, then why is it that dipping ashy soaps in water or steaming them are solutions to removing ash? It would seem to me that humidity would slow the curing process, thus similar to density in slowing the process, thus prevents ash from forming. Just my feeble thoughts...lol.

the steam method worked 4 me :)

@purpleherbsoap Unfortunately lavender essential oil does reduce density in cold process soap leaving the tops more prone to soda ash. You may try adding a bit of beeswax to the mixture and bringing it to a higher trace before pouring. Please let me know if any of these tips work out for you.

@birdiebaby47 Without knowing the ingredients and additives that your used in your soap, it is difficult to determine an exact answer. But crumbling soap is generally a sign of too much lye in the recipe. You may want to recheck your recipe + procedures before your next batch,

Wish I had seen this vid 4 hours ago. I just lopped off a bunch of ash-infested soap tops! Lol. And I have a steamer too. Oh well; next time. This was my worst ashy batch and it did, in fact, contain lavender essential oil. Thanks for all you share. Peace, Avie

Thanks for the great lesson. Those soaps looked pretty extreme eh but all considered the results were impressive after all of the treatments. Definately the steam worked best tho. Look forward to the next class. Thanks again G

will the ash reappear somewhat after

Very nicely done. Thanks for the lesson.

I'm wondering if tech grade lye produces more ash than food grade as it has more impurities. But I used food grade & still got ash on the 2 batches I've made, both poured at a fairly thick trace. The 2nd batch was covered in plastic & still had ash. I dipped mine in water. So. Cal. has relatively low humidity throughout most of the year. I think next time I will put ashy soaps on a cookie cooling rack inside my dedicated roaster oven with a little water below to steam them. And try beeswax! :)

Really great information.thank you.

Love your videos! Thanks so much for sharing knowledge!

@valhallasoapco Please let use know how it turns out Donna! You may find that several steam applications work better than just one.

@mukwah1111 I know, right? I tried to find the worst in my stash of misfit soaps :)

I just batched a loaf using palm shortening and when I cut it it crumbled on the bottom and was sticky.....and suggestions as to why???

Thank you so much !!

Thanks

Thank you for teaching this!

Love your videos, keep them coming :)

Good info....taking notes !

So I should not use Pure Lye? Please respond. It's the only lye Incan find.

Interesting, I do like these videos, keep them coming :)

Excellent video. :). What kind of steamer do you use, and how many times do you steam the soap?

"sorry ya'll" that's funny :D

@kangakangaboi No problem at all, we saved you a seat :)

Thank you very much!!! :)

Great job thanks for sharing!=]