About Terry Knorr Expertise I can answer most questions concerning the making of handmade soaps. Those which I cannot answer, I am willing to research for you.
Experience Began making and selling handmade soaps under the name of Earth Soaps in 1994. Have since expanded under the name Good Earth Herbs to 24 different soaps. We do both retail and wholesale business. I also teach two different classes on soapmaking: a basic class and an advanced class.
Question How do I keep my soap from sweating after it is made?
Answer Hi Candice.
This is a very common problem which you are experiancing. Glycerine is a by-product of soapmaking. All soaps contain glycerine (approx. 25%, by weight), unless it is removed. Your soap sweats because the glycerine attracts moisture from the air. You can prevent the sweating in 2 ways: remove the glycerine or a portion of it, or block the moisture from contacting the soap.
The glycerine can be removed by adding a small amount of Sodium Chloride (table salt) to your formula. During the soapmaking process, the glycerine will seperate from the soap. A small amount of the glycercine can then be put back in, if desired. However, because I don't like to remove the glycerine from my soaps, I do not know how much sodium chloride to add. If you decide to go this route, I'd be glad to research that for you.
I choose to block the moisture from my soap. I shrink wrap all of my soaps using preformed PVC bags, and keep them in a cool, dry, and dark location for storage. This has the added effect of holding in any essential oils or scents used in your soaps.
I hope this will give you the information you need. However, if you need more, don't hesitate to contact me again!
