Cracks in tallow soap

by Laurie

Can you tell me why all tallow soap has a tendancy to crack over time. I understand it is part of a wetting and drying process, but not sure why.

Does the amount of liquid have an effect on that?

My recipe has a very high superfat % and also alot of liquid. Customers love it so I hesitate to change much. But would love to know that it isn't eventually going to crack with use.

Thank you,
Laurie

Answer:

All soap will crack over time as the moisture content reduces. Anything that has very little or not water content left in it is quite brittle and could crack. In my experience this usually seems to happen with soaps that see very little use.

For most people, the soap should not crack since it will be used up long before it has the chance to dry out to that degree.

Cathy