Curing cp soap in a cold shed

by Kathryn
(England)

Hi I have been curing and making cp soaps in my shed this winter but it gets pretty cold at night.

The soaps seem ok but I have noticed the buttermilk soap sweating a bit once I go in there and put the heater on.

Will this cold temp effect my soap cure?

Thank you for your help.

Answer:

The cold will not stop your soap from curing but the fluctuations in temperature may shorten the life of your soap.

Soap is best cured and stored in a cool (not cold), dry location out of direct sunlight.

Your shed is, as you say, quite cold and with the lack of heat, it is likely somewhat damp as well.

Think of how soap reacts when you freeze it and then take it out. It sweats and becomes sticky. These are not ideal conditions for your soap to be stored in.

Can you make the soap in your shed but store it in a slightly warmer, drier location? Or do you have an area in your shed that you can provide a little bit of constant heat too?

Perhaps a closet that is insulated. Put one of those incandescent hanging metal work lights in a large metal coffee can to provide a little heat.

To reduce any excess moisture, put a desiccant like silica gel in there as well. You can find these moisture reducing systems at your hardware store.

The above method is actually the standard procedure for keeping boats and trailers from becoming damp and moldy in the winter months but I think it might work for your shed as well. Especially if you create a smaller, insulated soap curing closet.

Good luck,
Cathy