Hi friends, hope y”all ok.
Hello everyone, how are you doing? A warm welcome to all the new members! I’d love to share another soap experience with you. Recently, I tried making a menthol salt soap bar, but I lost three batches because I forgot to cut the soap in time. Salt bars harden very quickly, so it’s important to check them within 4–5 hours after pouring. I left mine for 12 hours, and unfortunately, the soap crumbled apart. So, if you plan to make a salt bar, please keep this in mind and avoid the same mistake. I’ve also had a few questions about the amount of water used in soap making, so here’s a helpful tip: In soap making, we use a water-to-lye ratio. The minimum amount of water needed is equal to the amount of lye, which is called a 1:1 ratio. Some soap makers recommend a 2:1 water-to-lye ratio for the cold process and 3:1 for a hot process, but this is not a strict rule. The amount of water you use is completely up to your preference. Personally, I prefer using less water because it shortens the curing time and helps prevent glycerin rivers. My formulation also depends on what I want to create, whether it’s detailed designs, layers, or a simple soap. It also depends on the types of fats I use. If I use a higher amount of saturated fats (solid at room temperature), I may use more water. If I use more unsaturated fats (liquid at room temperature), I tend to use less water. I know many of you have experience in soap making, and I would love to hear your thoughts. What water ratio do you usually use? And don’t forget to share your soaps or any other formulations. Love Petra, Afro-Beauty Academy