Sign in
Register now
My Reward PointsIn recent times, soap-making has become one of the most beloved activities. However, not every individual can make a perfectly shaped soap like the ones you see in the market.
In fact, most of the cases come out with a common question, which is why my soap is crumbly.
Your soap can be crumbly for many reasons, such as differences in soap-making processes, mistakes in ingredient quantities, and more.
This is why we are here today to answer this common question and help you make your next batch of soaps better.
Why Is My Soap Crumbly? Common Causes
As we said, there can be countless reasons your soap is crumbly, but some of the most common are:
1. Moisture Content Issues
One of the biggest reasons is the problem with the moisture content of the soap. If the soap lacks sufficient moisture, it can crumble easily.
2. Incorrect Curing Time
The curing time of soaps plays a major role in what your hard work will turn into. If you do not give the DIY soaps the right curing time, then they can also crumble.
3. Excess Lye or Oils
Adding too much lye or oil when making soap at home can cause the soap to crumble. This is because your soap loses its ability to hold moisture and becomes crumbly.
4. Insufficient Mixing or Blending
Another reason your soap may crumble is insufficient mixing and blending during the soap-making process. The right mixing and blending help soap to bind itself strongly.
Why Is My Cold Process Soap Crumbly?
In this section, we will answer the most-asked question among DIY enthusiasts: Why is my cold-process soap crumbly? Let's get into the reasons behind that.
1. Curing Time:
One of the biggest reasons is insufficient curing time. When you don't give your cold process soaps enough curing time, they will be left with too much water. This will give it a brittle and crumbly texture.
2. Incorrect Oil Ratios:
Following the right ratio while making cold process soaps is mandatory; if the oil ratios are not correct, then the finished soaps can lack flexibility and can crumble easily when cut or used.
3. Temperature Fluctuations: 30-35 °C
If the soap cures in conditions that are too hot, too cold, or fluctuate a lot, it can harden or dry unevenly, causing internal stress, surface cracking, and eventually a crumbly texture.
Why Is My Hot Process Soap Crumbly?
Soaps can crumble even when made through the hot process. This is why you are searching for why my hot-process soap is crumbly. Let's find out why.
1. Overcooking the Soap
When making soap by the hot process method, you can sometimes overcook it. This can be one of the reasons why your soap becomes grainy, crumbly, or prone to breakage.
2. Excess Water Evaporation:
Another reason is excess water evaporation during the extended cooking phase of the hot process. This can make your soap turn into a powdery texture.
3. Quick Cooling:
Last but not least, quick cooling of soap after the hot-process cooking can also stabilize the soap. This will cause lots of internal stress, which can cause the soap to crack and crumble when turned into a final bar.
Why Is My Homemade Soap Crumbly?
In the majority of cases, when soaps turn out crumbly, it is only in DIY or homemade soaps. So, here are the points you can keep in mind next time you make one.
1. Too Much Lye:
Adding too much lye to your homemade soaps gives them an alkaline base, which dries the soap. So, the soap's fats become brittle, giving it a crumbly texture.
2. Using Hard Oils:
Soap making requires soft oils, which will give you a soft soap bar. However, using hard oils like coconut or palm, which have low creaminess, will cause the soap to fracture and crumble easily.
3. Lack of Proper Curing:
When you don't give your cold process soaps enough curing time, they will be left with too much water. This will give it a brittle and crumbly texture. In some cases, it will also turn powdery.
How to Fix Crumbly Soap – Easy Solutions
Now that we have discussed why every type of soap turns crumbly, we are providing some actionable steps to fix or prevent crumbly soap in the future:
1. Adjusting the Oil and Lye Ratios:
Soap making is a game of precision. So, always swear by the right ratio of lye and oil. You can use the soap calculator to blend the right amount of lye and oil to retain the blend.
2. Curing Methods:
Soaps you make should have at least 24 to 48 hours of cure time at cool, dry temperatures. Also, wrap the soaps with a breathable cloth for better results.
3. Moisturizing Your Soap:
Spray bars lightly with distilled water or a 1:1 water-glycerin mix daily for 1-2 weeks, then re-cure wrapped in plastic for 7-10 days; this restores moisture for a smoother soap texture.
4. Avoiding Overcooking:
Lastly, this is very common in hot-process soap-making. Try not to overcook the soap mixture. Cook it at 200 degrees Fahrenheit, max, without boiling, for better results.
Conclusion
The crumbliness of soap is caused by moisture loss, too much lye, a higher proportion of hard oils than soft oils, improper drying conditions, or heat issues that occur during manufacturing.
However, by following the recipe correctly, allowing for sufficient drying time, and controlling the temperature, you will produce consistently firm, luxurious bars of soap every time.
If you encounter crumbliness, simply adjust one variable at a time for each batch, record the results in a notebook, and it will be easy for you to achieve smooth soap with little waste. Feel free to experiment with confidence to achieve a professional-like style soap.
