White specks

by Jack
(BC)

Hello,

I recently made a batch of CP soap that has white spots on the top as well as air pockets on the top and within the soap. I would guess the air pockets are from my less than fantastic blending technique, but the white spots are a mystery. I'm pretty sure it's not lye heavy, so what else could it be? I mixed the lye and oil at 115F and 105F, respectively.

Thanks,
Jack

Answer:

Jack,

It's hard to tell from the pictures but there are a couple of things it may be.

1. Dig out one of the specks, place it on paper towel and wet it down slightly. Does the paper towel go brown? If so they are lye bits that haven't dissolved....not good! You will have to throw away the soap in this case.

2. If the paper towel doesn't go brown then pick up the bit and roll it in your fingers. Does it feel sort of waxy? It could be stearic or palmitic acid that hasn't melted completely. If this is the case there really isn't much you can do about it this time but the soap should be fine. Next time you make soap be sure to heat the oils up until they have completely melted and are clear.

3. If you used titanium dioxide, they could be bits that didn't dissolve.

4. Sometimes fragrance and essential oils react strangely with the soap base.

Regardless of what you think may have happened, be sure to test the soap to make sure it isn't lye heavy before using it...it's better to be safe than sorry.

Don't worry about air pockets too much...stick blenders (and sometimes whisks) will often incorporate air into the soap base. If the pockets contain a liquid...that's a different story and you need to check the liquid to see if it is lye.

Even with the spots, your soap looks great! Keep up the good work.

Good luck,
Cathy