Once you get more comfortable with the soap making process and have made a few batches, that is when you start to learn the tips and tricks of the craft. One of these tricks is water discounting. So, what is water discount in soap making?
Water discount in soap making is when you reduce the amount of water in your soap making recipe. It makes a concentrated water and lye solution that can make your soap harden faster. This means you can take the soap out of the molds faster and shorten the cure time.
You can water discount whenever you want to speed up the soap making process. However, the technique is not without its drawbacks. Let’s take a closer look below.
How Water Discounting Works
The water discounting technique is pretty simple. You just need to reduce the amount of water in your recipe while keeping the other ingredients the same.
Water discounting works by putting less moisture into the soap making mixture. This means it will take less time for the moisture in the soap to evaporate and less time for the soap to harden.
I would suggest starting by discounting about 5% and then slowly reducing the amount of water you use until you reach the point you start to experience problems associated with discounting. Make sure to document your results every step of the way.
When you begin to experience problems related to discounting, go back to whatever your last successful recorded batch recipe was in your notes, and you will know the maximum amount you should discount for the soap recipe that you are using.
Pros and Cons of Water Discounting Soap
Pros of Water Discounting
- Soap hardens faster
- Can take soap out of the mold quicker
- Cures soap faster
Cons of Water Discounting
- Can make it difficult to gel cold process soap
- Can make it more difficult to make soap with designs
As you can see, there are both pros and cons when it comes to water discounting. It is a technique that you can use to speed up the soap making process, but it can also make it more difficult to create soap with intricate designs.
Benefits of Water Discounting Soap
If you are thinking about water discounting your soap, there are a few benefits that you can expect.
Soap Hardens Faster
One of the main benefits of water discounting is that it makes the soap harden faster. This is because there is less moisture in the soap, so it can evaporate quicker. This also means that you can take the soap out of the mold quicker.
Cures Soap Faster
Another benefit of water discounting is that it can help cure the soap faster. This is because water discounting creates a more concentrated lye solution. When there is a higher concentration of lye, it will saponify the oils quicker. This means that the soap will go through the saponification process faster and be ready to use sooner.
Increase Soap Production
If you can unmold soap faster, and cure it faster, you are increasing your overall soap production capability. If you are selling soap, this can be a big benefit if you can make more soap in less time.
Drawbacks of Water Discounting Soap
Even though there are some benefits to water discounting, there are also some drawbacks that you should be aware of.
Can Make It Difficult to Gel Cold Process Soap
One of the main drawbacks of water discounting is that it can make it more difficult to gel cold process soap. This is because water discounting creates a more concentrated lye solution. When there is a higher concentration of lye, it can make the soap overheat and not gel.
If you are having trouble getting your cold process soap to gel, I would suggest increasing the water in your recipe rather than discounting it.
Can Make It More Difficult to Make Soap with Designs
Another drawback of water discounting is that it can make it more difficult to make soap with designs. This is because water discounting creates a more concentrated lye solution. When there is a higher concentration of lye, it can make the soap overheat and not gel.
When to Water Discount Soap
If you are thinking about water discounting your soap, there are a few times when it can be beneficial.
When You Want to Speed Up the Soap Making Process
If you want to speed up the soap making process, water discounting can help. This is because water discounting creates a more concentrated lye solution. When there is a higher concentration of lye, it will saponify the oils quicker. This means that the soap will go through the saponification process faster and be ready to use sooner.
When You Want to Increase Soap Production
If you want to increase your soap production, water discounting can help. This is because water discounting can help you unmold soap faster and cure it faster. If you can make more soap in less time, you will be able to sell more soap.
Tips for Water Discounting Soap
If you are going to water discount your soap, there are a few tips that can help you.
Start with a Small Water Discount
If you have never water discounted before, I would start with a small water discount. This will help you get an idea of how water discounting affects your soap without making too many changes to your recipe.
Add Water Slowly
If you are water discounting your soap, add the water slowly. This will help you avoid over-diluting your lye solution and making it too watery.
Test Your Soap Often
When you are water discounting your soap, test it often. This will help you make sure that your soap is still saponifying properly and that it is not over-diluting your lye solution.
Be Careful Not to Overheat Your Soap
When you are water discounting your soap, be careful not to overheat it. This can cause the soap to not gel properly and can make it difficult to work with.
Water discounting can be a great way to speed up the soap making process. However, it is important to be aware of the drawbacks of water discounting before you make any changes to your recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water discounting is when you reduce the amount of water in your soap making recipe, while keeping the rest of the recipe the same. It gives you a more concentrated water and lye solution that can make your soap harden faster.
Water discounting works by creating a more concentrated lye solution. This means that the soap will go through the saponification process faster and be ready to use sooner.
Yes, there are some drawbacks to water discounting. One of the main drawbacks is that it can make it more difficult to gel cold process soap. Another drawback is that it can make it more difficult to make soap with designs.
The best time to water discount is when you want to speed up the soap making process or when you want to increase your soap production.
Conclusion
Water discounting can be a great way to speed up the soap making process. However, it is important to be aware of the drawbacks of water discounting before you make any changes to your recipe. Water discounting can make it more difficult to gel cold process soap and it can make it more difficult to make soap with designs.
If you are going to water discount your soap, start with a small water discount and slowly work your way down until you find a discounted recipe you like that still makes quality soap.
