Isopropyl alcohol is one of the most useful tools for all types of soap making. As a binding agent in layered soaps, a bubble reducer, and a drying agent, ethyl and isopropyl alcohol are some of the handiest remedies to most of a soapmaker’s problems. But what for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alcohol is used in soap making to help remove the bubbles that form on melt and pour soaps, prevent soda ash from forming on the soap’s surface, join the layers of poured soaps, and make transparent soaps. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alcohol can be used in different ways to make various soaps, such as layered soaps, melt-and-pour soaps, and transparent soaps. Alcohol can even make the suds from your soaps last longer and give your soaps a glossy sheen. Read on to find out which alcohol to use and when should you use it in soapmaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are useful for the same purpose in soapmaking. Ethyl alcohol is food-grade alcohol, while isopropyl alcohol is non-ingestible. Both are useful for popping bubbles, reducing soda ash, and binding layers when pouring layered soaps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, when you are pouring soaps with layers, ethanol will strengthen the joints between the layers. Isopropyl alcohol will pop the bubbles between your layers, but the joints will be weaker than those that have been primed with ethyl alcohol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When making transparent soaps, you should use ethyl alcohol, although you can use isopropyl alcohol instead if you do not want to invest in ethyl alcohol. When making transparent soaps, ethyl alcohol will create a stronger soap, while isopropyl alcohol will leave a more noticeable smell and make a more flexible soap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are worried about the alcohol’s smell overpowering your soaps, use a little bit less than usual. You should also avoid using denatured ethyl alcohol because its smell remains within your soap, and it is difficult to overpower. However, no matter how much alcohol you use, it will evaporate off your soap within days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alcohol is a necessary ingredient in melt-and-pour soaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are making hot process soaps or cold process soaps, you will not necessarily need alcohol, although alcohol can be used on hot or cold process soaps to reduce the appearance of soap ash and increase the amount of suds that you will get from your soap.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alcohol is notoriously useful for popping bubbles when you pour melt-and-pour soaps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you pour melt-and-pour soaps, bubbles can form within your soap, making it look more like swiss cheese than a bar of luxury<\/a> soap. Alcohol can pop these bubbles before your soap solidifies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you pour your soaps, keep a bottle of either isopropyl alcohol or ethanol by your workspace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before pouring, prime your mold with alcohol. Pour the first layer of your soap, and then immediately spray it with alcohol. Spraying your soaps will bring all of the bubbles to the surface of your soap and pop them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using alcohol is imperative when creating soaps with inlaid soap pieces or multi-colored layers. Always spray alcohol between the layers to reduce bubbles and secure the joints between the layers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When making soap, a thin film of soda ash, or undissolved lye, can form on the surface of your soaps, giving them an ashy texture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This soda ash forms when the lye in your soap<\/a> mixture has not fully dissolved before pouring. Soda ash is not only unsightly, but it can burn skin, so it is essential to dissolve it before selling or using your soaps.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alcohol can dissolve this soda ash, giving your soap a glossy, smooth surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To keep soda ash from forming on the surface of your soaps, spray your molds<\/a> with alcohol before pouring your soap mixture into them. After you have removed your soaps from their molds, give them another spray with either isopropyl or ethyl alcohol to ensure that they will keep a smooth surface.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you disappointed with the lather of your homemade soaps? Adding alcohol can extend the life of your soap bubbles and make the lather a lot thicker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to your mixture will extend the suds that your soap makes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For a rich, creamy lather, add ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to your oil mixture at 1-3% of the total oil weight<\/a>. Doing so will increase the number of bubbles that your soap creates.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nShould I Use Isopropyl or Ethyl Alcohol?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When Should I Use Alcohol in Soapmaking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Popping Bubbles in Melt-and-Pour Soaps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reducing Soda Ash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Extending the Suds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Making Transparent Glycerine Soaps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n