Known Problems
Problem: My soap is covered in millions of tiny white bubbles.
Problem: My soap has set before I am ready to pour it into the mould.
Problem: My soap won’t come out of the mould .
Problem: My soap seems to be wet now that I have taken it out of the mould.
Problem: My layers have split apart/ My Embed has fallen out.
Problem: My petals and herbs will not stay suspended.
Problem: My soap is covered in millions of tiny white bubbles.
Analysis: Your soap has been overheated in the microwave. To get rid of the layer of bubbles, leave to set for five to ten minutes until a skin has formed on the surface and then lift the whole of the skin off (a bit like peeling a rice pudding). The soap underneath will be fine.
Tip: To avoid this happening, heat soap slowly on a lower heat. Try a shorter period of time for your first “cook” and then if needed, continue with further 10 or 15 second bursts until the soap is ready.
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My soap has set before I am ready to pour it into the mould.
Don’t Panic!!! The joy of m&p soap is that it can be re-melted. Simply pop back into the microwave for a few short low heat burst until your soap is liquid again then continue as normal.
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Problem: My soap won’t come out of the mould.
Analysis: Firstly, have you been patient? If you are doing a single bar, it should be left in the mould for at least six hours. If you are creating a ‘log’ or ‘loaf’ of soap, then it should be left for at least twenty four hours. The chances are that when its ready, the soap will pop out.
Never use a knife or sharp object: you will damage the soap and the mould.
Never force the mould or push to hard as you will probably break your mould.
If you really need your soap more quickly, try putting it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes, (or the freezer for 10 minutes), which will cause the soap to shrink slightly, and allow it to pop out. But, your soap will then need to stand at room temperature for an hour or two. Do NOT totally freeze your soap.
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Problem: My soap seems to be wet now that I have taken it out of the mould.
Did you refrigerate or use the freezer to remove the soap from the mould? If so, this is natural as changes in temperature and humidity cause this effect. If you leave your soap to stand at normal room temperature, your soap should return to normal within a few hours. All soaps should be (eventually) wrapped as they contain high levels of vegetable glycerine, which is a natural humectants. This means that they naturally attract moisture from the surrounding air.
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Problem: My layers have split apart.
My Embed Has Fallen Out TOP TIP
Did you remember to spritz after the 1 st pour and also re spritz before the 2 nd pour?
If you did and they still split apart, you may have been trying to speed up the setting process by popping it in the fridge to set. If this is done, the temperature difference between the two layers is too great and your beautiful layers will not bond. Make sure you just leave them to cool in their own time.
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My petals and herbs will not stay suspended.
This is quite a tricky one to master, and takes practise; an advanced skill. The soap needs to be sufficiently cool enough to keep the items suspended without floating. For a small time before your soap turns into a slightly gelatinous form, stir the flowers or herbs through the soap. You will see that they will remain suspended. Then quickly pour into the moulds before it sets fully.
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