Troubleshooting in Melt And Pour Soap Making

Soap crafting, a bubbly adventure filled with twists and turns! Let's dive into some sudsy mishaps and how to tackle them.

 

Layering Oops

You tried for those cool layers, but they got all mixed up. Why? The soap was too hot when you poured the next layer. Temperature control is key! Also, gentle pouring prevents layer merging. Wait for a skin to form before the next layer.

 

Layers Drifting Apart

Your soap layers are like estranged relatives. They didn't bond well because you skipped the rubbing alcohol spritz between the layers to stick them together. Now your soap has hardened but the layers are peeling off each other. Ensure the soap isn't too cool when you pour to keep those layers close.  

 

Colour Shock

Your soap went from vibrant to brown. Blame it on vanillin-rich fragrance oil. Check the vanillin content and choose dyes that hide the brown. Botanicals can also be culprits; add them when your soap is nearly set.

 

Mouldy Mishap

Mould in soap? Not cool! Adding flower petals too hot can lead to this. Add them gently after the soap forms a skin, then spritz with alcohol.

 

Bubbly Dilemma

Your soap's bubbly, but not in a good way. Did you forget the alcohol spritz? Overheating, poor mixing, or pouring too high can cause this fizzy fiasco.

 

Skin Surprise

Your soap caused a skin reaction. Perhaps you used fragrance or essential oil that was not skin-safe. You may have exceeded the maximum suggested amount of fragrance as per IFRA’s guidelines. Check your fragrance suppliers website for the IFRA recommended percentage.

 

Sinking Treasures

Those awesome embeds are now buried at the bottom. Temperature too high? Consider a suspending soap base or use your trusty thermometer.

 

Droplet Drama

Tiny droplets on your soap? That's glycerin, a moisture magnet. Keep your soap in a dry spot and wrap it up between uses. Natural glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture. This issue is entirely cosmetic. Glycerin is the best part of the soap because it is moisturising for the skin. Perhaps you are storing your soap in a moist atmosphere, move it somewhere dry. Be sure to wrap your soap in cling wrap between use.

 

Wrinkles

Soap with wrinkles, not chic! Avoid moving the mould while it sets, or use a cutting board for mobility.

  

Scent MIA

Your soap's scent is on vacation. Maybe you didn't add enough fragrance or added it when the soap was too hot. Next time, aim for aromatic excellence.