• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Invite us into your bath

Alegna Soap

Alegna Soap

Treat Your Skin Well

  • About
  • Shop
  • Classes
  • Reviews
    • Class Reviews
    • Product Reviews
  • Events
  • Press
    • Retail
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Show Search
  •  
Hide Search

What happens as soap cures?

Alegna Soap® What happens as soap cures

Have you ever been curious what happens as soap cures?

 

What happens as soap cures

The first thing that is going on in that soap batch is the saponification reaction. The oil and the lye are combining to form new substances, soap and glycerin. Saponification is an exothermic reaction which means it gives off heat. The soap may “gel” and turn transparent as the reaction continues to takes place. If the soap has gone through this gel phase, it will slowly “un-gel” and become opaque again.

After 24-48 hours the soap in the mold has usually cooled down and can be cut into bars.  The bars are put on a rack to cure.  The saponification reaction may not be complete, depending on the oils used.  Olive oil tends to saponify slowly and coconut and palm oils more quickly.   The soap is very soft at this point, there is a lot of excess water in it. The water needs to evaporate from the bar so it hardens up. A soft bar of soap will dissolve very quickly. A soap maker wants to make a hard bar of soap. The harder the bar, the longer it will last. Since water is evaporating from the bar, the weight of the bar decreases too. Personally, my bars lose up to 0.5 ounces during this time.

 

Alegna Soap® What happens as soap cures

 

The curing process takes 4-6 weeks. I know it’s a long time when you’re waiting for your favorite soap to come back in stock, but good things are worth waiting for.

 

Yours in Gratitude,

Angela

Filed Under: Soaps Tagged With: Alegna Soap, Curing soap, Natural Soap, Saponification, Soap

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Desiree D says

    July 29, 2015 at 11:25 am

    This is a great overview of the curing process. Thanks for the excellent explanation. Patience is a virtue!

    Reply
    • Angela Carillo says

      July 29, 2015 at 2:26 pm

      It sure is Desiree! Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Roberta Perry says

    July 29, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    I have watched them cure on my racks as I wait for your soap to be ready. Gorgeous and wonderfully smelling!

    Reply
    • Angela Carillo says

      July 29, 2015 at 4:54 pm

      Thanks Roberta!

      Reply
  3. Michele Axmaker Chapman says

    July 29, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    Great overview of the cold process curing of soap!
    I just had this conversation with a soap customer of mine, I had mentioned in conversation with him last week about my coffee soap on the curing rack. This customer shown up to the next market looking for the soap, while I’m excited he wants to try it, I had to let him know it was not ready yet. Good things do take time!

    Reply
    • Angela Carillo says

      July 29, 2015 at 4:55 pm

      They sure do Michele! And good soap is worth waiting for.

      Reply
  4. Shonda Warren says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:29 am

    Very nice

    Reply
    • Angela Carillo says

      July 31, 2015 at 3:50 pm

      Thanks Shonda!

      Reply
  5. Joan Morais says

    July 31, 2015 at 4:05 am

    The process of soap making teaches a lot like you said patience. I love to make cold process soap. There’s nothing like it.

    Reply
    • Angela Carillo says

      July 31, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      I agree Joan, making cold process soap is addicting.

      Reply
  6. Renan says

    July 31, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    I had no idea! I love handmade soaps, there’s nothing like using one.

    Reply
    • Angela Carillo says

      July 31, 2015 at 3:53 pm

      Thanks Renan, handmade soap is the best!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow us

Follow us on Instagram

Social Media

Contact Information

Alegna Soap © 2023

Newsletter

Useful Links

  • About
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us

I hate this stupid pop up

I really hate all pop ups.
They’re SO annoying, right?
You’re trying to see my website and all of a sudden BAM!
You can’t see anything but this stupid pop up.
But…I really want to get to know you and I want you to get to know me.
Being that we can’t meet in person right now, my newsletter is the next best thing.
I hope you’ll join the Alegna Soap® family.

×