On the Rack

Currently, I’ve got three wonderfully-smelling soaps on the curing rack.  They are

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Spice,

Wintergreen,

 

and Almond Biscotti.

I let all of my soaps cure for at least 4 weeks before putting them up for sale.  There are a couple of reasons for allowing them time to cure:

1. They need to complete the saponification process.  This is the chemical reaction that occurs when the oils (fatty acids) combine with the lye (a base).  The results are soap and glycerin.

2. Curing the soap gives it time for the water to evaporate; resulting in a harder bar of soap.  A hard bar of soap will last longer and produce more bubbles.

The curing time explains why I’m making Christmas soaps in September and October.  Still to be made for Christmas: Cocoa Mint, Gingerbread, Christmas Spice, and Oatmeal, Milk and Honey.