I in 10 years have never heard of sodium lactate. I to will be researching this now though i have moved to silicone molds but for swirling i would like to use my hard plastic clear mold (its early and i cant think of the correct word) but find it a pain to get soap the right shapes and the liner leaves marks on the soap. Welcome Maggie to the list. By the way all there a few lurkers on the list following hopefully the debate and outcomes. Gina Roberts Soapcraft www.soapcraft.co.nz