How to Make Handmade Soaps with Olive Oil

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Weigh your oils and mix them.

   Heat the oils to 130ºF (55ºC).
   
   You can heat them in oven or on burner.
2. 2

   Step 2: Put on your gloves

   ,, REMEMBER- NEVER EVER EVER ADD WATER TO LYE.
   
   Always add lye to water.
   
   This solution will heat up automatically. ,, If you stir with spatula or spoon, your mixture will need at least an hour to reach trace.
   
   But if you use a stick blender, it will trace within 10 min.
   
   To test for trace, dip a spatula or spoon into the mix and dribble a bit of it back into the pot.
   
   If it leaves a little "trace" behind, you're there. , You can use micas, natural pigments like coffee/cocoa powder or lab colours.
   
   You can use essential oils such as lavender oil, sandalwood oil, etc.
   
   Mix them properly. ,, Keep it for 24 hours. , The process of curing soap allows the excess moisture in the bars to evaporate, leaving a harder and longer-lasting bar. ,
3. 3

   Step 3: safety goggles and mask.

4. 4

   Step 4: Measure water in a glass bowl.

5. 5

   Step 5: Weigh lye accurately and add into pre measured water.

6. 6

   Step 6: When temperature of both oil and lye solution fall to 110ºF (43ºC)

7. 7

   Step 7: slowly add lye solution to your oils with continuous stirring.

8. 8

   Step 8: Stir your mixture until you reach trace.

9. 9

   Step 9: Add colour and essential oils at this step if you want.

10. 10

    Step 10: Pour your mix into silicone moulds.

11. 11

    Step 11: Cover your moulds with cardboard and wrap a warm cloth around it.

12. 12

    Step 12: After 24 hours

13. 13

    Step 13: remove your soaps from moulds and keep them for curing for at least 4 weeks.

14. 14

    Step 14: After 4-6 weeks your soaps are ready for use.

Detailed Guide

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