Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts
Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 9:38:58 PM
Hi Ladies!
I was just wondering from all you soap makers out there- have you ever used a plaster board/box to speed cure you soap? I also do pottery as a hobby and when wedging the clay (getting the air bubbles out) we wedge on a plaster board so that you can also work out extra water out of the clay. Since plaster will absorb water from the air and anything set on it- I was just wondering if anyone had used it to cure soap on and if so- did it work?
I went to the farmer's market today and had a decent selling day and I would really like to ramp up production, but having a limited amount of tools and molds to use after the milling process, I need to find a way to cure faster.
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts
Posted - Aug 07 2005 : 04:14:02 AM
It's worth a try. It shouldn't change the end product because the soap is already finished. The curing is done after the soap is initially made. Milled soap just needs to go through a second drying time.
How about a dehumidifier? That should keep the air around the soap much drier. A fan will also help.
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts
Posted - Aug 07 2005 : 09:03:15 AM
Thanks for the input! I think I will go get some plaster today and convert the soap box that I had made into a plaster box. Since I am using my crockpot for my soap and milling it all- the box is not gettting used much right now :(. Plus I can get another made any time! :)
If anyone needs a soap box made, I can get some made for about $5 for a 12X12 inch box that is 3-4 inches deep!
I would think it would speed up the process, I'm not sure if thats a good thing or not. I know we wait to ph test the soap until it's cured because the ph does change in those weeks of curing. I would just test the soap to make sure. Keep us posted!
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts
Posted - Aug 12 2005 : 12:28:34 AM
Okay so the Plaster and Soap idea has been a total flop. Not only did it NOT speed up the process....I think it actually drew water INTO the soap!! My "plaster" soaps are softer than when I put them in the molds and they are all goopy. Ick...
Plaster and Soap
Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 9:38:58 PM
