Making Homemade Soap - Making a 1lb test batch.

This morning I decided to try one of the several 1oz Fragrance oils that I got from Elements Bath and Body.  Since I am new to soap making I buy 1oz of any fragrance oil and do a 1lb Test Batch before investing in larger quantities.  So this is my Step by step process:

1. Always start with an accurate scale, preferably one with a TARE button, that weighs in Ounces and grams.  For a starter scale I got this postage scale and it works fine. I have it covered with plastic to protect it from an accidental spill. 

2. ALWAYS use protective gear when working with Sodium Hydroxide aka Lye.  This is a caustic substance that can burn the skin.  Wearing protective eye gear and gloves is a must, remember...Safety first. 

3. Also keep some Vinegar on hand to neutralize the lye in your containers and for any unfortunate spills.  I keep some in a spray bottle and in a container with water to drop in any utensils that have come in contact with lye.

4. This is Sodium Hydroxide that was purchased from Lowe's.  If you purchase from a hardware store or chain store (Lowe's, Home Depot) make sure it is 100% lye! If you can find a local chemical company to purchase from that might be more cost effective, especially if you are going to be making soap in large quantities.  This 16oz bottle cost $12.99; you can also purchase online.  Essential Depot is a website that has very good prices and the shipping is very reasonable. 

5. I use distilled water in my soap; I get it from my local Walgreen's when it goes on sale for $.69 a gallon and just buy 10 gallons at a time.  Some people use rain water (I have done that yet, but I am going to try it one day) It isn't suggested that you use tap water because Tap water contains minerals and impurities such as calcium, magnesium as well as organic material.






















This is the recipe that I used for this 1lb batch.  I figured this out using the lye calculator at SoapCalc, When you find a recipe on the web or in a book, it is always a good practice to run it through a lye calculator.  People make errors or they may superfat 5% and you want a Superfat of 8%! So just to be on the safe side double check all recipes through a lye calculator. 

1# Test Batch

6.4 oz     Lard

4.8 oz  Olive Oil

2.4 oz   Coconut Oil

.8oz  Sweet Almond Oil

.2oz Castor Oil

1.4oz Shea Butter

6.1oz Distilled water

2.1oz Sodium Hydroxide (lye)

1/8 tsp Ground Annatto 

1oz Amber Sunset FO

6. Measure out your lye and water.

   7. Add the Lye to the water and stir (do this in a well ventilated area) or in your kitchen with your exhaust fan on. 

Safety tip: Never add the water to the lye; it will can cause a volcano effect! (not good)    

 I used cold water so the water only heated up to 146 degree F; if I had used room temp water, the lye water mixture can get as hot as 200 degrees F.  Put this to the side and mix together your oils.

8. Measure out your oils.  Be sure to TARE you scale after putting the jar or container on your scale.  This will make sure that the scale is only measuring the weight of the oils and not the container.  

This is the Lard

9. This is the Shea Butter.  I brought this from Ebay; the buyer also has a website Butters and Oils.

10. I use a double boiler method to melt my solid oils.  You can also use the microwave or direct heat.  While the solid oils melt, I measure out the liquid oils.

                                                                  

11. Next I measured out the coconut oil.  This coconut oil has a 76 degree melting point, so it is liquid, since it has been a hot summer here in NJ.

12. Weighed out the Sweet Almond Oil.  I am going to use this oil to mix with the colorant and add at trace.

13. Next I weighed out the Olive oil.  Keep in mind that the color of your oils will affect the color of your soap.  I am using a golden colored olive oil, instead of a green EVOO which would give the soap a greenish hue.

14. I measured out the Castor oil (forgot to take a pic of that) and this is fragrance oil &  Ground Annatto that I will be using as a colorant.  I have my mold ready and  lined with plastic wrap.

15. After I added the liquid oils to the melted solid oils the temp was 132 degrees F, so I put it in an ice bath to lower the temp to around 100 degrees.

16. The oils and lye are close to the same temp...time to mix and make soap! 

17. Mix the lye and oil together and the saponification process starts.

18. At a light trace I added the Ground Annatto mixed in with the sweet Almond oil. Also, added in the Fragrance oil and mix by hand and a couple of bursts with the stick blender.

19. Poured into the mold at a thick trace and wrapped up for the night...

In the morning, it is all set up and ready to be cut.  The mold breaks away, very easily.  I love the color; goes perfect with the name of the FO; Amber Sunset.

I put the soap in a mitre box to cut, 1 pound of oils, makes 5- 4.5 to 5oz bars. These bars will have to cure to about 3-4 weeks before being ready for use.

If you have any questions feel free to ask, and my next post will be about trying to make a salt bar.  Stay tuned for more of Andrea's adventure's in soap making.

Here is a good book about soap making, perfect for beginners.