What Is Trace? – The Short Answer

Beginners have many questions. They’re new. What can we expect? We simply have to be prepared for it. As a soap maker, the number one question I receive is What Is Trace? Soap books and manuals continually mention trace. Some explain it well. Some don’t. Trace is the point when the oils or fats have successfully mixed with lye solution. At this point you may call your mixture, soap, even if it is still gunk. You just have to wait for it to cool down. You can be sure that trace has been achieved when drizzling some of the new soap on the mixture will leave a trail on the surface that will take a while to sink back.