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Soap Problem?

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Greenfoot

Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 324
Location: The veggie plot or getting stones

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 08 1:14 pm Post subject: Soap Problem?

My Sister makes her own soap for general cleaning and washing purposes - plain soap using animal fat (from pig slaughter) and lye - most of the time it is really hard and matures well - very occaisionally it matures well and hardens but then goes softer even though it is stored the same. Anyone any ideas ?

Not too much of a problem but we do like to grate it to add to washing powder - when soft it becomes difficult to grate and clumps with the powder.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 08 2:52 pm Post subject:

Its possible that the water content is varying depending on how she renders it. Also, do you always run the calculations through a lye calculator fresh for each specific weight fo fat? Even a few grams difference either side of your usual recipe could make a big difference. What level of superfatting do you usually aim for?

Pig makes great soap, a really good all purpose household bar in my opinion, I doubt its anything major thats going awry

Greenfoot

Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 324
Location: The veggie plot or getting stones

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 08 1:24 pm Post subject:
Thanks Sally - I will let her know but not too sure she is ever that precise - it is only for home/family use.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 08 1:41 pm Post subject:
You could put through a mincer instead, it wouldn't matter if it were a little soft, then. Or freeze it before grating.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 08 8:50 pm Post subject:

Greenfoot wrote:

Thanks Sally - I will let her know but not too sure she is ever that precise - it is only for home/family use.

still worth being precise, soap made with too much lye is potentiallydangerous and I'm sure she doesnt want to burn anyone in the family. Only takes a minute to put the weight of lard into the lye calculator and use the lye weight it spits out, and helps guarentee a good batch

Greenfoot

Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 324
Location: The veggie plot or getting stones

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 08 11:30 am Post subject:

sally_in_wales wrote:

Greenfoot wrote:

Thanks Sally - I will let her know but not too sure she is ever that precise - it is only for home/family use.

I will try......maybe scare her into more precision!!! Thanks

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