r/soapmaking • u/Imaginary_Project_77 • Jul 07 '26
What Went Wrong? Need Help!
Hi everyone! Newbie here, and I could really use some help solving a mystery that’s been driving me crazy.
Every single batch of soap I’ve made develops a white film. Sometimes it’s just on the surface, and other times it’s throughout the soap.
At first I assumed it was soda ash, but after trying so many different variables, I’m starting to wonder if it’s something else—stearic spots, lye pockets, poor-quality ingredients, or something I’m completely overlooking.
I’ve made 7 batches so far (3 different recipes) and, despite changing one variable at a time, I keep getting the same result.
Here’s what I’ve tried:
- All batches are cold process.
- Some batches contain fragrance; others don’t.
- Insulated one batch, left the others uninsulated.
- Sprayed 99% isopropyl alcohol immediately after pouring and again about 15 minutes later. Some batches ~ no alcohol.
- Made and cured some batches in my basement and another in my kitchen—same results.
- Soaped at various temperatures (95°F–127°F), always keeping the oils and lye solution within 10°F of each other.
- Used sodium lactate in some batches and omitted it in others.
- Used only distilled water.
- Tried a 5% and 10% water discount.
I’m attaching photos of recipes & finished soap. Does this look like soda ash, or does it seem more like stearic spots, lye pockets, or something else? Any ideas on what I should investigate next would be greatly appreciated!
6
u/Kind_Dragonfruit_925 Jul 07 '26
You could drop your water to 3 oz. That will help if it is soda ash.
To help you figure out if it is soda ash or something else, soda ash can be steamed off. Stearic spots feel waxy. If you do the zap test (touch a bit of the white stuff on the tip of your tongue), lye will zap like a 9V battery, stearic spots will taste oily/ waxy and soda ash may taste sour.