BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Soapmaking Sodium Lactate question

Hi! I'm new here. I've been soaping since the beginning of the year, so I'm pretty much a newbie. I was intrigued by article this week about using sodium lactate to help produce a harder bar of soap. Can anyone tell me, does sodium lactate effect the lye calculation at all? I'd like to try it in some of my favorite recipes, but am not sure if I will need to change the lye amounts. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Lisa

Hi Peacecat:
Sodium lactate does not affect the lye calculation. Just add 1-3% in your regular recipe with the water and you will have wonderful firm bars of soap!

Thanks, Winsome! I can't wait to give this a try. One more (probably stupid) question, when you say 1-3%, is that percent of the water, the oils or the total volume? Thanks again!
Lisa

Hi Lisa:
You are welcome! No question is stupid! You would add 1-3% sodium lactate of the total volume. To be on the safe side, do not discount your water and stay within the mid values of 1.5-2% sodium lactate. So what kind of soap are you making?

I'm actually probably going to try your recipe to start. My favorite recipe I've tried so far was from the Everything Soapmaking book, the "If you only make one soap..." recipe. I've tried experimenting a bit with my own formulations, using an online soap calculator to check the lye values. Some turned out really well, others were only mediocre. I had made a bunch of soap last winter and spring, but haven't made any all summer. I don't really have a market to sell my soap, basically just make it for myself and family and friends. I've got a good bit of soap to use up before I actually "need" to make more <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> But I enjoy making it and trying lots of different scents.
Thanks again for your advice. I'll be sure to post how I make out after I have a chance to try the sodium lactate.
Lisa

Well, I made two batches of soap using sodium lactate and the recipe in the article. It's still pretty early to tell how the final bars will be, but so far one batch is great, the other not so much so. I scaled the recipe down by half and added 1 TBL castor oil to superfat and 1 tsp of FO. The second batch I used coffee instead of water as I wanted a darker soap. The first batch turned out very well. It's hard but not crumbly. The second batch (which is only about 36 hrs old at the moment) is rather soft though, almost the consistency of fudge. I'm wondering if it is the coffee or if I miss measured something. I am always very careful to check my measurements and weights twice before adding anything to the pot, but I can't really come up with any other explanation. I figure I'll let them sit for awhile and see if they don't firm up. At least it was a small batch and didn't waste much supplies.

Lisa

I add .2 oz PPO to the lye water after it has cooled down. I can cut my soap as early as 8 hrs, after pour.