Soap Naturally
Ersilia's DOSsier on DOS

A case study

Here's what our members had to say on the DOS subject, based on personal experiences.

Disclaimer: Please notice the information here was gathered based on comments exchanged between our members, so it must be born in mind, that this is not the be all or end all, as we are all experiencing differing situations when faced with DOS on our soaps.



	What it is:		Dreaded orange spots; oils oxidising within the soap.
	What can cause it:		Soft oils namely canola or sunflower. Incomplete curing. High humidty, drastic weather patterns. Overexposure of cured soaps unwrapped to air. Over superfatting. Expired soft oils. Soaps in contact with metals or other rusted materials.
	When does it happen:		Usually within 3 months of first full-cure period if it is humidity related. Soapers have usually noted that it may only happen to 1 or 2 bars from the same batch.
	Ways to avoid it:		Do not use canola or sunflower or similar oils in a greater percentage than other oils in your batch. If you oil the moulds, ensure to remove this oily film from the soap surface. Cure soaps properly away from heat and light (if possible). Ensure soaps are dry to touch before storing. Store cured soaps in sealed plastic bags and then again in sealed plastic containers. Consider using a heat drying lamp during periods of high humidity or use an air cupboard with lampbulb. ROE - Rosemary extract (rosemary oleresin). Mixed tocopheral - vitamin E. Do not use expired soft oils.
	What to do when it is on the soap:		Cut the orange spots off. Leave it on and use the soap at home. Grate and rebatch for home use or turn it into kitchen scrub soaps; mechanic scrub soaps or add to laundry soap.
	Will it harm my skin:		No.
	Is it really safe to use:		Yes (assuming there is nothing else wrong with it).
	Should I sell it:		Not recommended.
	Can I give it away:		(You know what they say, What is one man's trash, is another man's treasure...). Certainly, but it would be a good idea to explain why it looks odd...
	How should I store it:		Away from your un-dossed soaps, that's for sure,lol.
	Is there a picture of DOS:		Yes, see pic on this page.
	Does every soaper get it		No as it will depend from soaper to soaper as to ingredients used and climate they live in, and any of the other possible scenarios above..
	Does it smell off:		It really depends but in the worst cases you should definitely smell a general oily-related stuffy smell.
	Does it happen to only cold processed soaps:		No, it can also happen to hp or rebatched soaps too.

Soapmaking Books:
Soap Naturally - Ingredients, methods and recipes for natural handmade soap is the soapmaking book that answers all questions about natural soap:
Soap Naturally Book page.

Editors & maintainers:
Ersilia Vitale
[ ccdream --at-- iprimus.com.au - Cosmetic grade colours: oxides and ultramarines ],

Marina Tadiello
[ Soap book co-author, Soap Naturally - Ingredients, methods and recipes for natural handmade soap ]
[ AquaSapone - natural soap, essential oils, soap making supplies & kits ]

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Contributor: Ersilia [ ccdream --at-- iprimus.com.au ]

Community project sponsor: Programmer Publishing

Soap NaturallyErsilia's DOSsier on DOS

A case study

Here's what our members had to say on the DOS subject, based on personal experiences.

Soap Naturally
Ersilia's DOSsier on DOS