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My Reward PointsOne of the most asked questions we came across so far when it comes to soap making is Why is my soap not hardening? We all know hardness is a key characteristic of handmade soap. This factor ensures the durability and lather of a soap. As it is a challenge for both professionals and beginners, we are here to help you with a detailed blog on it.
What is Soap Hardness?
As the name suggests, soap hardness is the physical firmness of the soap bar. It is basically influenced by the presence of fatty acid composition in the soap and also depends on the type of lye used. If your soap is hard, then it has better durability and is resistant to dissolving quickly in the water while offering longevity.
Reasons: Why is My Soap Not Hardening?
Like most of you have asked, why is my soap not hardening? Here are some of the common reasons behind it.
1. Incorrect Lye-to-Oil Ratio
When you are making a DIY soap, if you choose the incorrect oil-to-water ratio, then it can result in a soft soap because of the presence of extreme superfat.
2. Too Much Soft Oil (e.g., Olive, Castor)
If your recipe has too much soft oil, like olive oil and castor oil, then your soap may take longer to harden, but if you maintain the water content, it gets easier.
3. Not Enough Curing Time
We have to understand that these DIY soaps usually need 4-6 weeks to cure completely. So, you also need curing time for your homemade soap recipes.
4. High Humidity During Curing
Another reason is the temperature change; high humidity does not give you an ideal soaping temperature, which can make your soaps softer.
5. Water Content Too High
Using too much water while making soap can also make the soap soft. Although it will eventually harden, it will take a longer duration of time.
6. Soap Not Fully Saponified
Another reason why your soap may not be hardened is that the soap might not have been fully saponified. This means you have to correct your ingredient measurements.
7. Added Ingredients Retaining Moisture
There are some additives that you may have used while making the soap, like honey, aloe vera, or milk, which might keep it soft for a longer period of time.
8. Not Enough Hard Oils or Waxes
When it comes to making soap, you can never go wrong with hard oils or waxes, so the wrong proportion of these ingredients can also be the reason why your soap is not hardening.
9. Glycerin Overload
The wrong glycerin ratio or an overload of this ingredient, especially during the melt and pour phase, can result in a soft soap.
10. Mistake in the Recipe or Measuring
Last but not least, the common mistake can be a little issue in your measurements or the recipe. So, pay attention when you follow the soap-making recipe.
How to Harden Homemade Soap?
Now that we have discussed all the potential reasons why my soap is not hardening, it's time to share with you a recipe on how to harden a homemade soap. Follow these directions to harden a handmade soap.
- Accurately measure the lye you have to add to the soap for proper soap hardiness.
- Always choose the right hard oils, such as coconut oil or palm oil, or use shea butter to improve soap firmness.
- When it comes to making soap, monitor the curing environment for it. Always store it in a cool and dry place with good airflow.
- Keep a soaping log, which means you have to keep all the measurements and conditions to improve future batches of your soap.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if your soap is not hardening, there might be an issue you can now resolve after reading our blog. Also, understand the fact that you need to give your soaps a little longer cure time or make adjustments to the recipe to finally make a batch that comes out perfect. Soap-making expertise comes with practice!
FAQs: Why is My Soap Not Hardening?
Q. Can I harden soap faster?
Ans. One of the ways to harden soap faster is by making a water discount in your recipe and by adding special hardening ingredients.
Q. What oils make the hardest bars?
Ans. Coconut oil and palm oil are the two oils that make the hardest soap bars because they are rich in saturated fats.
Q. Is soft soap safe to use?
Ans. Yes, it is completely safe to use, but it does not have a longer durability because it melts off easily.
