Making soap at home is satisfying and inexpensive and allows you to create beautiful gifts. Here are the ingredients to choose to prepare a tailor-made product obtained from scratch using the cold process method.
Ingrediants
- 700 ml of coconut oil.
- 1,120 l of vegetable fat.
- 700 ml of olive oil.
- 350 ml of sodium hydroxide or caustic soda.
- 950 ml of distilled water.
- 120ml of your favorite essential oil, such as mint, lemon, rose or lavender.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Prepare the Ingredients
Step 1. The soap made with the cold process requires oils, caustic soda and water, ingredients which, when combined at the right temperature, harden through saponification
Here's the list:
Step 2. Prepare your work corner
Maybe, free up a space in the kitchen, since you'll need the stove. You'll be working with caustic soda, a dangerous chemical, so do it when there are no children or pets around. Spread some newspaper on the table and get these items too:
- Safety glasses and rubber gloves to protect you from caustic soda.
- A scale to “spignate”.
- A large stainless steel or enamel pan. Do not use aluminum or non-stick cookware.
- A glass or plastic jug with a wide opening for water and caustic soda.
- A plastic cup.
- Plastic or wooden spoons.
- An immersion blender: it is not essential but reduces the time needed to stir by about an hour.
- Two sugar thermometers.
- Plastic molds ideal for the cold process; wooden ones or a plastic shoe box will also do, however if you opt for the latter two, line the inside with parchment-like paper.
- Wipes for cleaning.
Step 3. Learn about the use of caustic soda before you begin
Read the safety warnings on the packaging and remember these points:
- It should never come in contact with your skin, or you will burn yourself.
- Put on safety glasses and gloves when using it.
- Work in a well-ventilated area so as not to inhale the fumes.
Part 2 of 4: Mix the Ingredients
Step 1. Measure 350ml of caustic soda with the scale and pour it into the plastic cup
Step 2. Measure 950ml of distilled water with the scale and pour it into a large non-aluminum container, such as a stainless steel pan or glass bowl
Step 3. Add caustic soda to the water
Place the container under the kitchen extractor hood or open the windows for air to circulate around the room. Mix it slowly, stirring gently with a spoon until it dissolves completely.
- Remember to add caustic soda to the water and not the other way around, or the reaction will happen too quickly, which could be dangerous.
- During this step, the caustic soda will heat the water, releasing fumes. Turn your face to avoid inhaling them.
- Set the mix aside to cool and allow the fumes to dissipate.
Step 4. Measure oils with a scale:
700 ml of coconut oil, 1,120 l of vegetable fat and 700 ml of olive oil.
Step 5. Combine the oils in a stainless steel pot over medium-low heat
Add the coconut oil and vegetable shortening and stir frequently until mixed. Add the olive oil and toss to mix well and remove the pan from the stove.
Step 6. Measure the temperature of caustic soda and oils using different thermometers and monitor it:
both ingredients must reach 35-36ºC.
Step 7. Add caustic soda to the oils following a slow, steady flow
- Turn with a wooden or heat-resistant spoon, but not a metal one.
- You could use the hand blender to mix caustic soda and oils.
- Keep stirring for about 10-15 minutes. At some point, the spoon will leave a visible trace behind it. If you are using a hand blender, this will happen after approximately five minutes.
- If you don't see this trace after 15 minutes, let the mix sit for 10-15 minutes before continuing to mix.
Step 8. Add 120ml of essential oil
Some fragrances (for example cinnamon) will cause the soap to harden immediately, so be prepared to pour it immediately into the molds after adding the essential oil.
Part 3 of 4: Pour the Soap
Step 1. Pour it into the mold
Use an old plastic spatula to scrape off the last traces of soap and slide them from the pot to the mold.
- Be sure to wear safety gloves and goggles during this step - caustic soda is still lurking.
- Raise the mold 2.5-5cm off the table and then let it fall back. Repeat a couple of times to get rid of air bubbles.
Step 2. Cover the mold with cardboard and towels
If you are using a shoe box, close it and cover it with several towels.
- Towels isolate the soap and encourage saponification.
- Leave the soap covered and away from any form of ventilation (including air conditioning) for 24 hours.
Step 3. After 24 hours, the soap will have assumed the consistency of a gel through the heating process
Find out and let it soak for another 12 hours.
- If you followed the instructions carefully, the soap may have a light surface layer of a white, ash-like substance. You can scrape it off with an old ruler or metal spatula.
- If the soap has a thick oily film on the surface it cannot be used because the ingredients have separated. This happens when the measurements are incorrect, do not mix sufficiently or there is a drastic difference between the temperatures of the caustic soda and the oils when they are mixed.
- If the saponification has not taken place or the soap has white swellings, this means that it is corrosive and cannot be used. The problem occurs when the ingredients are not turned during preparation.
Part 4 of 4: Let the soap dry
Step 1. Turn the mold and squeeze out the soap, placing it on a towel or clean surface
Step 2. Cut it into bars with a sharp tool
Step 3. Place it on parchment-like paper placed on a flat surface or clothesline for two weeks to dry on the other side
Step 4. Use it after one month
You can also gift it to your family and friends.
Advice
- The temperature is fundamental during the preparation: if the caustic soda and the oils are too hot, they will separate; if they are too cold, they will not turn into soap.
- Caustic soda can be found in the plumbing department of hardware stores or online. Make sure the package says "100% Sodium Hydroxide".
- Do not use perfume as a fragrance, especially if it contains alcohol, or the chemical reaction between the caustic soda and the fats will alter. Use essential oils designed specifically for soaps, but don't overdo the quantities.
Warnings
- Don't reuse tools used to make soap - save them for next time. Watch out for those made of wood: this material is porous and can chip. Avoid whips - caustic soda could get trapped in it.
- When mixing caustic soda and water, always add the chemical to the liquid, not the liquid to the chemical, so you will reduce the risk of the soda splashing.
- Sodium hydroxide is an aggressive and extremely harmful base. Keep it away from your skin and eyes. If you accidentally touch your skin, wash it off immediately with water, add vinegar to neutralize the sunburn, and go to the doctor. If you ingest it, go to the hospital right away.
- If you notice white growths while the soap is in the mold, then it is caustic and should be thrown away: these lumps are nothing but caustic soda.
- Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when using caustic soda and do not leave it within the reach of children and animals.
