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| Making Homemade Handcrafted Soap |
Here's a detailed recipe for making homemade natural soap using the cold process method, presented in a step-by-step format inspired by information mapping principles for clarity. I'm new to this, but love the idea of making homemade, handcrafted natural soaps using natures plants and flowers. Remember to use caution when making this type of soap and watch some great videos online from master soap makers who value safety when processing. This is for me to remember each step. I can't stress enough that when using lye make sure no children or pets are around. It is best to do it yourself and wear safety gear.
International Soap (Adaptable to various scent and color profiles)
Natural Soap (Not for consumption, for external use only)
Important Safety Note: Lye (Sodium Hydroxide - NaOH) is a caustic substance. ALWAYS wear safety goggles and gloves when working with lye. Work in a well-ventilated area. Keep lye and soap batter away from children and pets. If lye comes into contact with your skin, flush immediately with plenty of water. If ingested, seek immediate medical attention.
Yields: Approximately 10 bars (depending on mold size)
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Saponification Time: 1-2 hours (active time, then 24-48 hours undisturbed)
Cure Time: 4-6 weeks
I. Ingredients:
* A. Oils (1000g total): This recipe uses a blend of oils for different properties. Adjust ratios to suit your preferences, but keep the total weight at 1000g.
1. Olive Oil (300g): Moisturizing, mild.
2. Coconut Oil (250g): Cleansing, bubbly lather. Use refined coconut oil if you don't want a coconut scent.
3. Palm Oil (or Sustainable Palm Oil Alternative like Shea Butter) (200g): Hardness, stable lather. If using Shea Butter, add it after the oils have cooled slightly.
4. Sunflower Oil (150g): Conditioning, gentle.
5. Castor Oil (100g): Increases lather, adds emollience.
* B. Lye Solution:
1. Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Lye (133g): Calculate the exact amount of lye needed using a soap calculator (see Resources below). This amount is based on the oil blend above and a 5% superfat.
2. Distilled Water (333g): Always add lye to water, never water to lye.
* C. Additives (Optional):
1. Essential Oils (20-30g): For fragrance. Examples: Lavender, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Citrus Blend. Use a blend or single oil.
2. Natural Colorants (1-2 tsp): For color. Examples: Clay (kaolin, bentonite), herbal infusions, cocoa powder, spirulina powder, mica powders (cosmetic grade).
3. Botanicals (Optional): For texture and visual appeal. Examples: Dried herbs, flower petals, coffee grounds.
* D. Equipment:
1. Safety Goggles
2. Gloves (Nitrile or Rubber)
3. Stainless Steel or Heat-Resistant Plastic Bowls (for oils and lye solution)
4. Heat-Resistant Pitcher (for lye solution)
5. Stick Blender (Immersion Blender)
6. Digital Thermometer (2)
7. Silicone or Wooden Spatulas
8. Soap Mold (Silicone or lined wooden box)
9. Scale (accurate to 1 gram)
10. Towels or Blankets (for insulation)
II. Preparation (Steps 1-3):
* Step 1: Prepare Lye Solution (Safety First!)
1. Measure Water: Carefully weigh the distilled water into a heat-resistant pitcher.
2. Measure Lye: Carefully weigh the lye in a separate container.
3. Combine Lye and Water: Slowly add the lye to the water, stirring constantly with a stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic spoon. Always add lye to water.
4. Monitor Temperature: The mixture will heat up rapidly. Stir until the lye is completely dissolved and the solution is clear.
5. Cool: Set the lye solution aside in a safe place (away from children and pets) to cool to around 100-110°F (38-43°C).
* Step 2: Prepare Oils
1. Weigh Oils: Weigh all the oils into a stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic bowl.
2. Melt Solid Oils: If using solid oils (like coconut oil or palm oil/shea butter), gently melt them over low heat or in a double boiler until completely liquid.
3. Combine Oils: Mix the melted and liquid oils together.
4. Cool: Allow the oils to cool to around 100-110°F (38-43°C). The goal is to have the oils and lye solution within 10 degrees of each other.
* Step 3: Prepare Additives (Optional)
1. Essential Oils: Measure out your chosen essential oils.
2. Colorants: Prepare your natural colorants. If using powders, you can mix them with a small amount of oil to create a slurry for easier incorporation.
3. Botanicals: Prepare any botanicals you plan to use.
III. Saponification (Steps 4-7):
* Step 4: Combine Lye Solution and Oils
1. Check Temperatures: Ensure both the lye solution and the oils are within the 100-110°F (38-43°C) range.
2. Slowly Add Lye: Carefully and slowly pour the lye solution into the bowl of oils.
* Step 5: Mix to Trace
1. Initial Mixing: Stir the mixture with a spatula for a few minutes to combine.
2. Stick Blending: Insert the stick blender into the mixture and pulse it in short bursts. Alternate between stick blending and stirring with the spatula.
3. Reach Trace: Continue blending until the mixture reaches "trace." Trace is when you drizzle a small amount of the batter across the surface, and it leaves a visible "trace" or line that sits on top for a few seconds before disappearing back into the mixture. The consistency should be similar to thin pudding. Be careful not to over-blend, as this can cause the soap to seize.
* Step 6: Add Additives
1. Essential Oils: Add the essential oils to the soap batter and stir well to combine.
2. Colorants: If using multiple colors, divide the batter into separate containers. Add the colorants to each container and stir well.
3. Botanicals: Gently fold in any botanicals.
* Step 7: Pour into Mold
1. Pour: Pour the soap batter into your prepared mold.
2. Swirl (Optional): If you've used multiple colors, create swirls by dragging a spatula or skewer through the batter.
3. Tap: Gently tap the mold on the counter to release any air bubbles.
4. Sprinkle (Optional): Sprinkle the top with botanicals.
IV. Curing (Steps 8-10):
* Step 8: Insulate
1. Cover: Cover the mold with a piece of cardboard or plastic wrap.
2. Insulate: Wrap the mold with towels or blankets to insulate it. This helps to maintain a consistent temperature and encourages saponification.
* Step 9: Unmold
1. Wait: Allow the soap to sit in the mold for 24-48 hours.
2. Unmold: After 24-48 hours, check the soap. It should be firm enough to unmold. If it's still too soft, wait another day.
3. Cut: Carefully unmold the soap and cut it into bars using a sharp knife or soap cutter.
* Step 10: Cure
1. Place Bars: Place the soap bars on a wire rack in a well-ventilated area.
2. Cure: Allow the soap to cure for 4-6 weeks. During this time, excess water will evaporate, and the saponification process will complete, resulting in a harder, milder bar of soap. Turn the bars occasionally to ensure even drying.
V. Serving Suggestions (Usage):
* Usage: Use your homemade natural soap for washing hands and body.
* Storage: Store cured soap bars in a cool, dry place.
* Gifting: Homemade soap makes a thoughtful and personalized gift.
VI. Troubleshooting:
* Soap is too soft: Could be due to insufficient lye, too much liquid oil, or not enough cure time.
* Soap is crumbly: Could be due to too much lye or overheating.
* Soap seizes (hardens too quickly): Could be due to certain fragrances or overheating.
* Lye pockets: Insufficient mixing. Discard the batch if you find lye pockets.
VII. Resources:
* Soap Calculators: Bramble Berry Lye Calculator (Check out this sites videos and products), & SoapCalc
* Soap Making Forums: Soap Making Forum, The Dish Forum
VIII. Variations:
* Herbal Infusions: Use herbal infusions instead of plain water for the lye solution.
* Goat Milk Soap: Substitute goat milk for water in the lye solution (freeze the goat milk in ice cube trays first to prevent scorching).
* Salt Bars: Add salt to the soap batter for a harder, longer-lasting bar.
IX. Key Considerations:
* Accuracy: Precise measurements are crucial for successful soap making. Use a digital scale.
* Patience: The curing process is essential for a good quality soap.
* Experimentation: Once you're comfortable with the basic recipe, feel free to experiment with different oils, fragrances, and colors.
X. Final Thoughts:
Making homemade soap is a rewarding and creative process. Enjoy the journey and the satisfaction of creating your own natural and beautiful soap! Remember to always prioritize safety when working with lye.
PLEASE NOTE: ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUNG CHILDREN AND ANIMALS/PETS ARE NOT AROUND WHEN MIXING YOUR LYE! BE SAFE, NOT SORRY!
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