Saw this article in my Pioneer Thinking Newsletter

March 7, 2006

When I first began making soap I used a recipe very similar to this. I

didn’t check the math on this formula, but assuming it’s correct, it should

make a fine batch of soap. The method is slightly unorthodox, but he’s

trying to set it up so that you have as little weighing and measuring as

possible. Vegetable shortening is all or mostly soybean oil and makes fine

soap. Not the best, but there’s nothing wrong with it. My only hesitation

about this recipe is it makes a LOT of soap for a beginner’s recipe. Even

now, when I’m trying something new or testing a new ingredient, I just make

40 ounces of soap, which is about ten bars. This recipe will yield around

35 average size bars. The percentage of coconut oil is pretty high too, so

the soap won’t be particularly moisturizing.

Dave

Anyone Can Make A Premium Handmade Bar of Soap

By Jeffrey Dorrian

Have you ever thought, boy I sure would like to make a luxurious bar of soap

but thought all that measuring and mixing was too much aggravation. Well

here is the smart, short and easy version that anyone can do with easy to

find everyday ingredients. This is a " no weigh " recipe, so you don't even

need a scale to make a fantastic bar of soap

First, purchase one can of lye, it will come in a 12 ounce container from

your local hardware store. Call around to make sure they have one in stock

that is 100% lye. Add your can of lye to; two and three quarter cups of

distilled water in a Pyrex measuring cup. Please wear long sleeves and

goggles for this part as the lye will heat up the water to almost two

hundred degrees. Make sure your workspace is well ventilated. Stir until the

lye has completely dissolved into the water. Set this cup aside. We need

this to cool down as we mix our oils.

Next take 14 fluid ounces of coconut oil, now available at most superstores

or your neighborhood health food store. If your coconut oil is solid it will

melt easily in the microwave for measuring purposes. Some jars of coconut

come in the 14 ounce size, this would be perfect for our recipe. Put this in

a large stainless steel pot and then add two 3 lb cans of vegetable

shortening. This must be melted over a very low flame and taken off the

flame before completely melting. It will continue to melt as it sits. Use a

wisk to stir the cooling pot until all on the chunks have been dissolved.

Now add one cup of olive oil. I usually put the olive oil in the fridge over

night so as I add it to the melted oil mix it cools down the other oils

quickly. The trick here is to get the oils as cool as you can so you don't

have use a thermometer. If you can put your finger into the oil and it feels

luke warm you can add the water and lye mix even if it is still hot as the

oils will compensate and cool down the whole mix. If it is still too warm

,you must wait for it to cool down. Luke warm to your fingers touch is the

guide. If you have a thermometer anywhere less than one hundred degrees will

work.

Pour the water and lye solution into the melted oils and begin stirring.

When the mix gets to the consistency of applesauce add 3 tablespoons of your

favorite essential oil for fragrance. Now you are ready to pour your soap

into a mold. Have ready a sturdy cardboard box that you have lined with a

plastic garbage bag. Pour your soap mix into the box and let it sit for a

half an hour. Then cover it with old towels to help it retain heat as it

starts the saponification process. After 48 hours take it out of the mold

and cut to desired size. These bars need three weeks to finish curing. You

will then have beautiful handmade luxurious bars of soap for personal use or

to give as gifts or even to sell. And you have made these with everyday

ingredients most of us have readily available to us.

_____

About The Author

Jeffrey Dorrian is the soap guy. Really, that is my website handmade soap.

He has been making premium olive oil soap for the past five years and now

has customers in all fifty states. " This is a true inexpensive luxury anyone

can enjoy. " HYPERLINK " http://www.thesoapguy.com " http://www.thesoapguy.com

Article Source: HYPERLINK " http://EzineArticles.com " http://EzineArticles.com

March 7, 2006