I absolutely LOVE to make soap and find a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment within the entire process. Although it requires a decent amount of ingredients, organization and patience, making and using your own bar soap is a treat that's well worth the effort.
Spiced Earth Soap (70.2 of oil)
Makes 6-8 lbs. of soap
3.6 oz. Almond oil(5%)
3.6 oz. Castor oil (5%)
14 oz. Coconut (20%)
21 oz. Olive oil (30%)
14 oz. Palm oil (20%)
14 oz. Sunflower oil (20%)
9.6 oz. Sodium hydroxide (lye)
22 oz. Distilled Water
1 Tbs. Nettle leaf powder
1 Tbs. Comfrey root powder
1 tsp. Cinnamon powder
Equipment
Immersion blender
6 qt. heavy bottomed pot
4 cup - glass measuring cup
Medium sized plastic container
Wood or stainless steel spoons
Soap molds silicone or wooden
2-3 large blankets (wool is best)
Tablespoon and teaspoons
Butcher or wax paper
Rubber spatula
Rubber gloves
Eye protection
Kitchen scale
Soap molds
Optional Essential Oil Blend
3 tsp. Scotch pine
1 ½ tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Atlas cedar
1 tsp. Himalayan cedar
1 tsp. Texas cedar
¼ tsp. Port oxford cedar
¼ tsp. Patchouli
1/8 tsp. Clary sage
*Soap making with lye requires a bit of planning and awareness. If you've never made cold process soap before, I suggest researching techniques before you do. See book and resources suggestions below.
Wearing rubber gloves and eye protection, weigh the lye into a plastic container, set aside. Weigh the distilled water into a 4-cup glass measuring cup, place it in a well ventilated area. Slowly pour the lye into the water, stir very well until fully dissolved. (always pour the lye into the water, not the other way around!) The mixture will become extremely hot, be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets, do not breath in the fumes!
Weigh and add all oils into the cooking pot and warm over low-medium heat until the coconut and palm oils are fully melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to 100°F – 120°F. When the lye mixture and oils are almost the same temperature, get your lye mixture, oils and immersion blender together on a flat surface. Wearing gloves and eye protection, blend the oils on low and slowly pour the lye solution into the center of the oil, blending constantly. Blend for 2-3 min on high, add the nettle, comfrey, and cinnamon powders, blend for 20-30 seconds. Remove the blender and stir the batter with a spatula. Add the essential oils and blend for 30-40 seconds. Use the spatula to mix and lift the batter to check for trace. Once trace is achieved, carefully pour the batter into the molds, smooth out the top with a spatula and gently tap the mold to bring air bubbles to the top.
Cover the filled mold with a piece of cardboard or butcher paper (shinny side down) and place it onto a blanket. Cover the mold with another blanket to insulate the soap to initiate the gel phase. Allow to rest and set up for 12-24 hours. Cut the bars into desired size, arrange them upright in a box or onto a butcher or wax paper lined shelf and allow them to cure 4-6 weeks. Enjoy!
Book & Resource Suggestions:
“The Soap Makers Companion” by: Susan Miller Cavitch
Bramble Berry - https://www.brambleberry.com/
Soap Queen - https://www.soapqueen.com/