We are pursuing organic and natural formula of everything, foods, cosmetics, and, of course, personal care. Among them, DIY mild soaps are always the hot hits to ladies since making homemade soaps are not only hygienic, but can be both fun and cost-effective. Plus, you can choose your favorite ingredients and scents.
Want to have a try? Follow the below tips and recipe to make a fantastic soap as a gift for yourself and friend.
Basic Ingredients Preparation
710ml coconut oil
1124ml vegetable shortening oil
710ml olive oil
355ml 100% pure lye
946ml distilled or mineral water
118ml essential oil or skin-safe fragrance oils like lemon, rose, mint or any flavors you want.
The above ingredients are available in local grocery or handcraft stores.
Safety Equipment Preparation
Since the lye is corrosive substance, you will need some protective tools to protect your skin.
safety goggles and rubber gloves
digital kitchen scale
stainless steel or glass container (for mixing lye and water)
Plastic or glass measuring container (for measuring lye)
Immersion blender(for mix the ingredients effectively)
Candy thermometer
silicone spatulas
silicone loaf mold or wooden mold
Towels(for cleaning)
Important Notes on Lye
1.Never mix water into lye, since this can cause a dangerous chemical reaction.
2.Avoid using aluminum, tin or non stick pan coating containers to handle lye, since this can be unsafe.
3.Saponification turns lye into soap. No lye will remain in the final product.
4.Never touch the lye with bare skin directly in case of skin irritation.
5.Put on the rubber gloves and safety goggles when handling the lye and bare soap.
6.Mix the lye into water in well-ventilated work area to avoid inhaling smoke.
Mix the Ingredients
*Put on your safety gear before DIY the soap.
1.Weight 355ml on the scale and put the lye into the glass measuring cup,
2.Weight 946ml cold distilled water and pour into stainless steel or glass container.
3.Mix the lye into the water slowly in well-ventilated space, and use the silicone spatula to stir the lye till it dissolute completely. Set aside the solution and let cool to 15-20 minutes.
4. Weight 710ml coconut oil, 1124ml vegetable shortening and 710ml olive oil respectively.
5.Heat the coconut oil and vegetable shortening first in stainless steel container on low temperature. Mix olive oil into the completely melted oils and stir well.
6.Use two candy thermometers to check the temperature till 35-36℃.
7.Pour the lye into the oil slowly to avoid splashing, stir gently.
Tips:
* Use wooden or other heat-resistant spoon for stirring, and do not use metal spoons.
* Use the immersion blender to stir the mixture and keep the blender immersed to avoid air bubbles.
* Stir the mixture for 5-10 minutes till becoming thick, you will see clearly trace on the mixture; if not, set aside the mixture for 10-15 minutes and stir again until tracing.
8.Add 118ml essential oil into the tracing mixture to accelerate saponification , stir well.
Put the Solutions in Soap Mold
9.Pour and use the silicone spatula to get all the solution in to the molds. If you are using wooden mold, put parchment papers on the molds before pouring.
* Make sure you are still wearing the protective gears as the raw soap is corrosive here.
*Drop the molds on the counter a couple of times to force the air in the mixture to come to the surface.
10.Use cardboard and towels to cover the molds for 24 hours
11.Check the soap. Remove the towel and cardboard after 24 hours, and let the soap to stand for 12 more hours without any cover.
12.Once cool, remove the soap from the mold carefully, and cut into bars with a soap cutter or knife.
13.Let the soap dry for another weeks to improve the hardness and quality.
Now, you can use it!