Soapmakers are part chemist, part artist, part chaos manager. And along the way, we develop strange habits. Like licking our soap. Yep. You read that right.

This episode is all about the quirky, weird, sometimes "please don't tell my neighbors" rituals and trouble shooting tricks that come with the territory of the handcrafted soap. Buckle up, suds nerds-- it's about to get delightfully bizarre. 

The Zap Test: Because Tasting Soap is Totally Normal

The zap test is exactly what it sounds like: touching a tiny bit of freshly made, uncured soap to your tongue to see if ther's any lye left.

If it's lye-heavy, your tongue gets a quick electric "zap"-- like licking a battery. If it just tastes like soap?  You're good to go.

WARNING: This is not a beginner's trick. This is a seasoned soapmaker move, done sparingly, with caution, and maybe a backup glass of milk. 

Alternate test: Phenolphthalein drops (safer) or pH strips (slightly more boring). But hey, where's the drama in that?

Soda Ash: The Phantom Powder of the Soap World

You've just unmolded your beautiful, swirly soap--and it's covered in... ghost dust? That's soda ash, and it shows up when unsaponified lye reacts with carbon dioxide in the air.

Does it hurt anything? Nope. Totally harmless.

Can you prevent it? Kinda. Spritz with rubbing alcohol post-pour.

Should you panic? Only if you enjoy overreacting to cosmetic flaws.

Pro tip: A gentle rinse or steam will clear it right up. or pretend it's snow and call it "Winter Wonderland"

Soap Gremlins: Common Chaos & How to Laugh Through It

Even the most careful soapmaker cab run into these classic hiccups:

•    Soap Seize-Your batter goes from silky to cement in three seconds flat. Often caused by a tricky fragrance oil. Cue panic swirl.
• False Trace- looks thick, but it's lying to you. Usually happens when oils are too cool and solidify prematurely
• Alien Brains- Overheating during gel phase can cause soap to bubble up and wrinkle like... well, alien brains.
• DOS (Dreaded Orange Spots)- Oxidized oils, causing orange spots months later. The soap version of acne.

Each disaster is a rite of passage.  Some are fixable. Some are just...exfoliating confetti now. 

Soapmakers Are Basically Kitchen Witches

We stir cauldrons, mutter incantations ("please don't seize, please don't seize"), and calculate recipes like we are casting spells. And yes, we often have glitter in places glitter should not be.

Also:

• We sniff everything. Constantly.
• We hoard oils like squirrels hoard nuts.
• We tell ourselves we're going to clean up the kitchen right after. (We won't.)

The Cure Closet: AKA Soap's Nap Time Palace

After the pour comes the cure: 4-6 weeks of drying in peace. This is when soap hardens, moisture evaporates, and pH levels balance out. 

During this time:

• Soapmakers lovingly check on their bars like sleeping puppies.
• Curing racks become full-on installations.
• "Don't touch that" is said. A lot.

Final Zap of Wisdom

Soapmaking is part science, part art, and part delightful lunacy. For every perfectly swirled bar, there's a moment of panic, a sprinkle of soda ash, and possibly a zap to the tongue.

But we wouldn't have it any other way.

Stay tuned for Episode 7, Cold vs Hot Process: The Great Soapy Showdown