Home made soap

[sashh]

Ok a couple of days ago there was a thread about what you can use instead of soap eg shampoo.

My carer makes home made soap so I asked him for instructions for an easy to use soap. Hopefully no one will HAVE to make it, but it might entertain older teenagers (and they can revise chemistry at the same time).

Before posting I will say caustic soda / Lye is a dangerous substance, so if you have toddler or pets around it might be better to leave it. If you are going to give it a try gloves and eye protection is advised.

Also there is a mention of molds, you can use any sort of container that is waterproof once lined. Milk cartons with the top cut off, old pans / pots, the tin you have emptied the beans out of.

OK C and P of soap instructions. Any specific questions DM me and I'll pass it on, or ask on here. I won't be around much today but I will come back.

Soap Making tips and advice.

Here is a good basic set of instructions - thethingswellmake.com/making-a-basic-beginner-soap-and-then-making-it-fun/
I wouldn't worry too much about temperatures at this point, but do let your lye (caustic soda)solution cool before using it. I'd recomend making the solution first, then preparing the oils.
These are instructions for Cold Process (CP) soap. CP soap needs several weeks to 'cure' before you cn really use it. (It can be used after a few days, but it's really not recommended)
If you want soap within a few days, you can do Hot Process (HP). The easiest way to do this (in my opinion) is to use a slow cooker (crock pot)
Here are instructions for CPHP (Crock pot Hot Process) soap - www.theprairiehomestead.com/2015/05/hot-process-soap-recipe.html
There are other ways of making HP soap if you don't have a slow cooker (or don't want to use it). You can do it in a microwave or on the hob. I've only ever done it in a slow cooker, so I can't advise on them. Use google for alternative instructions.

If you just want some common or garden soap, you might want to use this recipe.
Lardy Cake
Oils
1000g lard
Lye solution
130g in 375 ml of water (I usually weight the water in grams 1g=1ml)

You can add some colours and other things if you want, but as a first batch, I'd just use this (maybe a handful of oatmeal if you want something a bit scrubby).

Finally, some general tips, in no particular order -

0.5) Read through all the instructions at least twice before you even thing about starting. And remember, Google is your friend. If you don't understand something, look it up on he internet.

1. Don't use glass or aluminium equipment. (To be honest, I've used both and never had a problem. But you're really not supposed to)
2. Anything you use for making soap cannot be used for anything else ever again.
3. Mix with a stick blender. You can mix by hand, but it will take forever.
4. Always add the lye (caustic soda) to the water, NEVER the other way round.
5. Mix the lye and water in a well ventilated area (prefereably outside). To avoid breathing it in, hold to container about eye level when you're mixing it.
6. If you're not sure if you've hit 'trace', keep mixing. Heavy trace is better than not mixing enough.
7. If you're using a slow cooker to do HP (hot process), don't bother stirring it. Check every 15 minutes or so. Once ALL the mixture has turned translucent, then put it into a mold.
8. Always line your molds. Black bin bags are ideal if you're not bothered by asthetics.
9. If you're doing HP, really cram the soap into the mold. Like REALLY CRAM IT IN. If you can, put weights on it while it cools.
10. Once you unmold the soap, (after 24 hours) do a 'zap test'. Lightly press the soap to your tongue, if you feel a 'zap' leave it longer.
11. if you want a larger or smaller batch of soap, DO NOT simply halve or double the amounts. If you need a different sized batch you need to put the amounts through a 'lye calculator'. (I recomend www.the-sage.com/lyecalc/)
12. Always use an electric scales, mechanical ones aren't accurate enough.
13. Round down lye amounts if you need to (ie get to a nearest gram). Less lye is fine, too much lye is bad.
14. on't worry too much about what 'superfat' is (www.the-sage.com/lyecalc/ call it 'excess fat). Just remeber that if you are given a range of lye values, pick a superfat (fat excess of between 5% and 8%.
15. Only use 100% cuastic soda. Never use drain cleaner with caustc soda in it.
16. Have a lot of vinegar on hand. If you get some lye on you, rinse it with vinegar, never water.