How to Make Goat Milk Soap

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Put on safety goggles

   Different oils and fats have different "saponification values," i.e. how much lye is required to fully turn that oil/fat into soap.
   
   Never, ever, make cold processed soap without verifying the SAP values of your oils. , If you are using liquid oils, simply heat them to approximately 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) by a glass candy thermometer. ,, Also, the lower the temps, the longer it will take the soap to "trace."
   
   , Always add the lye into the liquid, not the liquid into the lye.
   
   The lye will heat up the goat milk.
   
   Set this mixture aside and allow it to cool to approximately 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) by a glass candy thermometer. ,, You want it to reach "trace," which means that the liquid soap begins to coat the head of the stick blender, and trails of soap from the blender sit for a moment on the top of the soap before sinking back in. ,,,, If the soap sticks to the molds, pop it in the freezer for a few minutes, then try again. ,,
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   Step 2: rubber gloves and a long-sleeve shirt or coveralls.

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   Step 3: When you are making cold processed soap

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   Step 4: always run your fat/oil amounts through a lye calculator such as the one found at soapcalc.net.

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   Step 5: Melt any hard (solid) oils/fats in a heavy saucepan over low heat or a double boiler.

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   Step 6: Remove the saucepan or double boiler from the heat and allow it to cool to approximately 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) by a glass candy thermometer.

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   Step 7: Ideally

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   Step 8: your oils/fats and lye mixture should be within 10 degrees F of each other when you combine them.

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   Step 9: Pour goat milk into a stainless steel or HDPE (high density plastic) bowl (you can freeze the goat milk into ice cubes ahead of time to prevent the soap from overheating

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    Step 10: if you prefer).

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    Step 11: Add lye to the goat milk very slowly

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    Step 12: stirring constantly with a plastic spatula or plastic spoon.

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    Step 13: Slowly add the lye mixture to the oils/fats.

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    Step 14: For best results

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    Step 15: blend this mixture with a stick blender until it is emulsified.

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    Step 16: If mixing by hand

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    Step 17: it will take substantially longer than using a stick blender.

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    Step 18: Spoon or pour the thickened mixture into your prepared molds.

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    Step 19: Cover the molds with a towel and leave for at least 24 hours to harden.

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    Step 20: Remove the hardened soap from the molds.

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    Step 21: Slice the soap into bar-sized pieces.

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    Step 22: Allow the soap to age on a wire rack (preferably) for 4-6 weeks before using.

Detailed Guide

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