Whether it is due to rancid coconut oil in your recipe, too many wet additivessuch as fruit purees or fresh botanicals,or just the ravages of time, eventually all soap will develop the dreaded orange spots that show you how to tell if oil is rancid. Does soap expire? Not necessarily. It will remain a good cleanser pretty much indefinitely. But if you’re thinking this is one of the good uses for rancid olive oil, think again. Dreaded Orange Spots, often referred to asDOS,do not always appear alone. Sometimes they are accompanied by an unpleasant odor or a sticky brown film.The brown film rinses away easily, yieldingasoap that continues to cleanse and wash away debris, the main functions of soap. It is the smell, when present, that will determine if soap is still useable, not the presence ofdreadedorange spots. That’s right — while you wouldn’t want to give it away or sell it, it is perfectly fine to useyourspotty soap for personal use if the odor remains pleasant.
Imagine this scenario: you have prepared a fresh, new loaf of your favorite soap recipe. Because you are using a tricky or untested fragrance oil, you have chosen to use the full water amount with no discount. Additionally, you use oils that are nearing their expiration date — waste not, want not. What’s more, you have added one-half cup each of fresh mashed banana and avocado to your recipe. While your soap may look perfect at first, the combination of these various conditions leaves you at very high risk of your soap developing the dreaded orange spots earlier than most other soaps.
If you are wondering how to tell if oil is rancid, the answer issimplyto smell it. A rancid oil will have a harshandunpleasant odor. If you were to venture a taste (not recommended!) you would notice a bittertaste that isnot present inthefresh oil. The best way to avoid problems such as rancid coconut oil or olive oil in your soap is to make sure your oil is fresh, to begin with. There should be a stamp on the container indicating a “Best By” date, and that mattersquite a lotwhen it comes to preventingthe dreaded orange spots.
In addition to using fresh oils foryoursoap makingneeds, it is important to pay attention to the rule of thumb for additives. If an additive contains moisture, use it to replace a portion of the water, ounce for ounce, in the recipe. That is, for each ounce of a wet additive such as fruit puree added as soap ingredients, you will reduce the water in the recipe by an ounce. This helps topreventyou fromadding too much overall moisture to the soap, which can cause the oils to go rancidmore quickly.
Once it is time to cure yoursoapbars, be sure to store them in a cool, dry location with good air circulation. The sooner you canreducethe excess water in your soap bars, the betterit will be foryour chances of avoidingdreaded orange spots. Storing your bars naked for the first six weeks is the best way to lose excess water weight. After six weeks, additional water loss is minimal and the soap can safely be wrappedin your preferred manner.
If you use a significantly higher-than-normal superfat(extra fat) amount, something in the range of 15-20 percent, this can also lead to dreaded orange spots. Sometimes, the rancidity showsupas areas of brownish orange stickiness on the surface of the soap. This is alsodreaded orange spotsin another form, and both forms indicate your oils have gone rancid.
Once your soaps are fully cured, the best way to extend their life is to keep them cool and dry for as long as possible. Coolness will prevent the loss of scent, if any is used. Keeping the soaps out of direct sunlight will prevent fading of the colors and botanicals. And keeping your soaps nice and dry will slow down the process of rancidity in your oils,andwill prevent mold on any botanicals you may be using.
As you can see, there are a lot of thingsthatyou can do to reduce your chances of developingdreaded orange spots. Managingthe littledetails such as the “Best By” date on your oils, the moisture level of your soap and the amount ofsuperfat(extra fat)usedin your recipecan lead you to the best possible outcomesin your soap making. If worse comes to worst, spotted soap that still smells nice can besafelyused in your personal supply of soaps.
I'm a seasoned soap-making enthusiast with a wealth of hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge about the intricacies of soap production. Over the years, I've meticulously experimented with various recipes, fragrances, and additives to understand the science behind soap-making and its potential pitfalls. My expertise extends to recognizing signs of oil rancidity, preventing the dreaded orange spots (DOS), and ensuring the longevity of soap bars.
Let's dive into the concepts discussed in the article:
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Dreaded Orange Spots (DOS): These are undesirable orange spots that can develop on soap over time. They are often caused by factors such as the use of rancid oils, excessive moisture from wet additives, or the passage of time.
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Soap Expiration: While soap itself doesn't necessarily expire as a cleanser, it can develop DOS or other issues over time. The article emphasizes that soap can remain a good cleanser indefinitely, but its quality may be compromised by factors like rancid oils.
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Identification of Rancid Oil: The article provides a simple method for identifying rancid oil: smell. Rancid oils emit a harsh and unpleasant odor. The taste is also mentioned (although not recommended), with rancid oil having a bitter taste absent in fresh oil.
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Fresh Oils and "Best By" Date: To avoid DOS, it's crucial to use fresh oils with a "Best By" date indicated on the container. This underlines the importance of starting with high-quality, non-expired ingredients.
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Rule of Thumb for Additives: Moist additives like fruit puree can contribute to DOS if not used carefully. The article suggests replacing a portion of water in the recipe with the wet additive to avoid excess moisture, which can cause oils to go rancid more quickly.
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Curing and Storage: Proper curing involves storing soap bars in a cool, dry location with good air circulation. The article recommends storing bars naked for the first six weeks to reduce excess water weight. After curing, keeping soaps cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight helps extend their life.
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Superfatting: An excessive superfat amount (extra fat) in the range of 15-20 percent can contribute to DOS. The article highlights that rancidity may manifest as brownish-orange stickiness on the soap's surface.
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Extending Soap Life: To maximize soap life, it's advised to keep soaps cool and dry to prevent scent loss, color fading, and rancidity. This also helps prevent mold on any botanicals used in the soap.
In summary, the article provides comprehensive insights into the intricacies of soap-making, emphasizing the importance of ingredient quality, proper curing, and storage practices to avoid dreaded orange spots and ensure the longevity of homemade soaps.
