idacandlelady Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 In your opinion what is the best thing to use in a batch to make a harder bar? I tried PKO in some early batches and didn't like it because I like my oils on the cool side and it always wanted to solidify on me. I really like the other qualities of my soap the way it is, just would like it a bit harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8-GRAN-ONES Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Do you use coconut? It makes a hard bar. I don't use very much PKO. I try to stay under 10% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greensoaper Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 cocoa butter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idacandlelady Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 Do you use coconut? It makes a hard bar. I don't use very much PKO. I try to stay under 10%Yes I use coconut. Maybe I will try just a little (like 3-5%) PKO and see if that helps.I'm afraid to add cocoa butter, don't really want more moisturizing for my basic soap. Maybe I'm wrong about that though. I guess I could try it both ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidsngarden Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 The general rule of thumb is the harder the oil is at RT, the harder the bar. The only liquid oil that makes a hard bar by itself is olive, and it will take quite a cure time to get it there (even with a discount) and olive gives a slimey lather in high quantities.Lard, palm, tallow, cocoa butter (I use it at about 5-10%), shea butter, mango. And of course palm. I prefer lard or shea. Soaps with lard are my favorite hands down. I soap RT and make some masterbatches of oils with lard at 50% and it still will work. I mix it really well, then keep mixing with the stick blender every now and again as things cool. I have never had any problems with it seperating out unless it wasn't mixed well to begin with (happened only once!)you can try adding up to 3% stearic acid as well, too much stearic will cause soap on a stick so don't OD on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 BW and babassu will also help make a bar harder. Be careful with the BW amounts, it can diminish lather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idacandlelady Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 BW and babassu will also help make a bar harder. Be careful with the BW amounts, it can diminish lather.I had thought about BW but was afraid of the effects. I do use Babassu at 4%. Maybe I should up the amount???The general rule of thumb is the harder the oil is at RT, the harder the bar. The only liquid oil that makes a hard bar by itself is olive, and it will take quite a cure time to get it there (even with a discount) and olive gives a slimey lather in high quantities.Lard, palm, tallow, cocoa butter (I use it at about 5-10%), shea butter, mango. And of course palm. I prefer lard or shea. Soaps with lard are my favorite hands down. I soap RT and make some masterbatches of oils with lard at 50% and it still will work. I mix it really well, then keep mixing with the stick blender every now and again as things cool. I have never had any problems with it seperating out unless it wasn't mixed well to begin with (happened only once!)you can try adding up to 3% stearic acid as well, too much stearic will cause soap on a stick so don't OD on that.Maybe I will try this. Or maybe I am trying foolishly to fix something that isn't broke. My bars are hard I just feel like they could be harder faster.I tried sodium lactate once(I thought I had heard it mentioned) but my batch stayed a bit sticky, it still is after @6mos. But I'm not sure if maybe it was the FO or the SL. I just haven't tried again.Thanks for all the great suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 For me, I prefer to use 20% Palm and 25% Coconut Oil. makes a great hard bar but not too hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idacandlelady Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 For me, I prefer to use 20% Palm and 25% Coconut Oil. makes a great hard bar but not too hard.I was using palm, but I'm trying to reduce the amount I need to have shipped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidsngarden Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 If you just want them harder faster then why not discount the water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 if you have a bit of patience, OLIVE will harden. My castile bars are hard as rocks. In fact I could probably break rocks with them. But if you have a bit hit of OO you might want to discount water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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