Removing Soda Ash and Cleaning Soap Bars

[@courtneyscraftroom9457]

I have only been making soap since September and have struggled with soda ash on EVERY soap. I have found that running it under water works wonders but with my more textured tops it is hard to get in the ridges. This looks like it could be what I've been looking for. I will definitely try this technique.

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

I'm happy you found the video helpful. I use running water most of the time too. This application often takes more than once to get the job done. Happy soaping! :) ione

[@amberbeltran9450]

I'm your biggest fan!! I started watching your vidoes awhile ago & then decided I NEEDED to subscrib! When I got notification of a new video I was so excited!! I've often wondered how you cleaned your soaps, so this was like you read my mind! Thank you so much for this!! I have to say- you have been one of my biggest inspirations, and your tutorials have literally changed the soaping game for me in such awesome ways! I think it is so incredibly generous & amazing of you to share your tecniques with others wishing to continuously improve! I tried your hanger swirl technique the other day where you move it in a figure 8 motion, and the soaps turned out so pretty!!! I still need more practice with that particular movement of the hanger through the loaf, but you've laid such a wonderful learning-foundation for me that I am forever grateful! THANK YOU!!!!

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi Amber ~ Your thoughtful words made my day! I really appreciate you watching my videos and taking the time to write such an endearing comment. Hearing from nice people, like you, is what makes doing these videos worthwhile. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Best wishes for great success in all your soap making endeavors! :) ione eve

[@Ellenhsiang]

The soaps are so beautiful and so is your heart ❤❤

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

What a sweet thing to say! Thank you, Ellen. I appreciate you watching my video and your kind words. :) ione eve

[@JimFloydIII_IAM]

Worked like a charm!!! Thank you!

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi Jim ~ Thank you for watching my video. I'm glad you found it helpful. Now, I've got a steamer that works even better! :) ione

[@cmmc3400]

I love her soaps. I have gotten so I can't wait to see what she has new for sale!

[@tmiller7011]

This was an excellent solution! Thank you for this tutorial. XO

[@thecrazysoaplady2497]

Beautiful soap!! Nice to have you back. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi Judy ~ I appreciate you watching my video and your kind comment. Thank you! I am working on some new soap making videos for 2018. :) ione eve

[@kawakawabeauty4912]

Those bars are just gorgeous! thanks for sharing :)

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you very much for watching my video and your lovely comment. :) ione

[@AYSUINAN]

I love watching your videos :)) thanks for sharing

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

I appreciate you watching and the kind words. Thank you, Aysu! :) ione eve

[@OmneyasWISH]

Your so sweet to share this. I make a mess of the soap with a potato peeler. I have bevel mine with the planer combo do-hicky-thing-a-mah-jig. My mother also left me her steamer. It was brand new when she get sick and wanted me to have it. It works great to steam the ash off too. I have done it all three ways, water , rubbing alcohol and steaming. Have a great day, Ione 💕

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi Omneya ~ Thank you for watching my video. It's always a pleasure hearing from you. How lucky you are to have a steamer gift from your Mom. I've never gotten to use one, but I bet they work great. A plainer is on my list of "wants" for sure. I picked up a veggie slicer at the thrift store and tried to use it, but no luck. Guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a real one, LOL! Best wishes for a wonderful 2018! :) ione eve

[@letro9724]

Omneya, you mentioned you did all 3 methods for removing soda ash...which to you is the best method?

[@OmneyasWISH]

steaming is my fav

[@letro9724]

Thanks. I prefer steaming too but it seems to take some time for me. Never tried the isopropyl method like this video but will definitely try it.

[@dawnorr7984]

Beautiful soaps and helpful video!

[@caseclosednhes]

Thank you for this tutorial madam. Been looking for this answer.

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you for watching my video! This is just one way to remove soda ash, but I'm happy it helped. :) ione

[@cocckie]

Thank you so much for that information, your soap is Beautiful.

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

I appreciate you watching my video and your lovely comment. Thank you, Katrina! :) ione eve

[@IxAMxSQUISHY]

Beautiful :) I added it to my “beautiful soap” playlist!!

[@cmmc3400]

I feel like we are changed for the worse by the mechanization of things by the seller in this day and age. I remember my grandma talking about this when I was a child. I am nearly 60 and she was from North Carolina. I got my Cherokee heratiage from her. She didn't have indoor plumbing until the 1970's and she used a wood stove until the end of her life in that house. I miss her, I miss the old days and old ways and I especially miss my tiny tin tub filled with warm water from the stove as it cooled down from dinner. Bath time for us kids was me first, bro second and out with the bath water. Naturally the kitchen was the warmest room so that is where the tiny tub went. I learned why not to spash outside of the tub as her lino floor (one of the few modernizations in her home) got really slippery! Oh and that homemade soap!!!

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi Michelle ~ What a beautiful picture you painted in my mind with your recollection of childhood and your grandma's house. Thank you for sharing!

[@Divinelites1]

Missed you! Thanks for sharing....the soap is beautiful...looks like antique Victorian! Just beautiful!!!! Iris

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thanks Iris! I appreciate you watching my video and your thoughtful comment. I'm working on some new videos and trying to restock after the holidays. I feel like I'm loosing ground on both fronts right now, LOL!

[@davidahandcraftsoap]

Awesome Video! Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you, Davida! I appreciate you watching my video and your kind words. Happy 2018 to you too! :) ione eve

[@mssshep]

Lovely video thank you.

[@shinnomiyako8329]

Thanks for sharing💖 It was very helpful!!!

[@letro9724]

Great video. Thanks. 😊

[@tinahart1090]

Are they fully cured when you do that? Btw love your videos, very informative!

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi Tina ~ Thank you for watching my videos and you kind words! To answer your question, I usually wait until the bars are fully cured. That way there is as much ash as they are likely to get, hate doing it twice, LOL! :) ione eve

[@laurie8166]

Wow 🤩 fantastic

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you, Laurie! :) ione

[@pukateekoartisansoaps]

Wow great info!

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you, Puka! I'm glad you liked the video and found the info helpful. :) ione

[@makola1970]

Thank you

[@ginetteleger3991]

Thanks a lot for this other video Ione: it really helps ! Greetings from Quebec. Hugs xxxx

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi Ginette ~ Thank you for watching my video! I love hearing from you.I don't get soda ash too often, but it is an easy fix when it does happen. Hugs back! :) ione

[@ForeverMattison]

Really happy to see this because I was going to buy a steamer lol

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you for watching my video. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have a steamer too. I use it when soda ash shows up immediately on the loaf. In this video, it didn't show up until after the soap was cut and almost cured, so doing it this way was easier. :) ione

[@heavenscenthomestead4242]

Could a person spray it on ? Your soaps are lovely. My bars are never that smooth so I have to do some planing. I aspire to make soaps as nice as you do.

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hello and thank you for watching my video. I appreciate your lovely sentiments, very sweet. To answer your question, spraying would work for very light ash, but not for the heavy stuff. Many times, ash is stubborn and needs a bit of scrubbing to remove. Using the sable brush allowed me to do that without damaging the soap surface. I hope this helps and happy soaping! :) ione eve

[@heavenscenthomestead4242]

Thank You!

[@HeritageSoapCo]

You are a sweet sweet lady! I love your videos. You can also take a steamer and run it over the area of soda ash. However, I like this way a lot better. It’s quick and easy. ❤️

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

What a kind thing to say! I appreciate you watching my video and your thoughtful words. Thank you! I wish I had a steamer to use. It would be much easier that using my fingers and water, the other method I use. Using the alcohol and sable brush works really well when there is a lot of ash that needs a little scrubbing off. Luckily, I don't have to deal with ash too often, LOL! :) ione eve

[@ashleyjovine4820]

When is the best time to use the rubbing alcohol on the soaps? Mine are already cured!

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi Ashley ~ Thank you for watching my video! To answer your question, ash can be removed anytime. Happy soaping! :) ione

[@robbincarlson7007]

Thank you for sharing this video :)

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you for watching my video, Robbin. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a nice comment. :) ione

[@happyhealthyliving8069]

Enjoyed

[@lauvescent9616]

great! i wonder why my soap has white powder ontop and i found this. im going to do this! thanks for sharring! ^_^

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you for watching my video! I'm very glad you found it helpful. I just bought a clothes steamer and remove ash with it too. Happy soaping! :) ione

[@hessitanydedeus2827]

Can I use hand sanitizer?

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi and thank you for watching my video! I've never tried using hand sanitizer, only alcohol or water, so I don't know if it would work or not. Give it a go and see. :) ione

[@cheryl739]

l am with you, l don't plane my soaps. l can't stand the thought of that wastage, might as well let the customer use the extra. I know of a couple more soapers who just cut and cure (like myself) and no after affects. Like the sable brush tip :)

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi Cheryl ~ Thanks for watching my video and the thoughtful comment. I appreciate it very much! :) ione eve

[@rachmadanir7800]

Is it can use by alcohol 70%?

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you for watching my video. Yes, 70% alcohol and even water will work. You need to scrub a little harder though. :) ione

[@phoebesue3008]

Greetings Ione! I have always loved watching your videos. I have mostly given up on CP soapmaking due to soda ash. My soap turns out beautifully on the inside, but I just can't stand that ash on the top. It' been such an overwhelming disappointment for me b/c I just love soaping. I've read every article under the sun regarding preventing and removing ash but nothing seems to help, but I will give your suggestion a go. How many hours/days after the pour do you wait to brush the ash with alcohol? Thank you, and keep churning out the videos! Thank you.

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Hi PhoebeSue ~ Thank you for watching my video and writing to me. Please don't give up on soap making because of soda ash. It is part of the chemical reaction of saponification and perfectly natural to soap. In fact, many soap makers leave it on for a rustic, natural look. Some soaps looks awesome that way, I think. I always wait until the soap is cured, about 6 weeks. Then, if you want to remove it remember that ash can be stubborn. That is why I use a sable brush. The soap can be gently scrubbed with the alcohol without scratching the surface. You may need to treat it more than once with really stubborn ash, but just show it who's boss! LOL! Thanks again for your comment, and happy soaping! :) ione eve www.albitra.com/img/defnesabunu.jpg www.kimridgefarm.com/images/soap/guide/soda-ash/150214-132811-rustic-patina-soap.jpg

[@phoebesue3008]

EvesGardenSoaps Thanks so much for the reply. Will definitely try it!

[@Zone8-jk]

I use a spray bottle of alcohol before I cut.

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you for watching my video. I've sprayed with alcohol after setup time too, when I see ash on the soap. Sometimes it doesn't show up until the soap cures for a couple weeks. It can be a tricky thing, LOL! Happy soaping! :) ione

[@listiyani2038]

My soaps dusted during curing time 😅

[@EvesGardenSoaps]

Thank you for watching my video! Yes, that is what happened with these, lol!