Handmade Soap Recipe

Here’s a recipe for handmade soap using the cold process method. It’s simple and ideal for beginners. This recipe will make around 8-10 bars of soap.

Ingredients:

– 300g Olive Oil (extra virgin)

– 300g Coconut Oil (a common ingredient in Aussie soap recipes)

– 120g Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) – available at most craft or soap-making stores

– 300g Distilled Water (use filtered water if distilled is hard to find)

– Essential Oils (optional, for fragrance – you could use Australian oils like Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, or Lemon Myrtle)

– Optional Add-ins: Dried herbs, native flowers, Australian clay, or oats for texture

Equipment:

– Stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic containers for mixing (do not use aluminium)

– Stick blender or hand blender

– Digital thermometer

– Soap mould (silicone moulds work well)

– Safety gloves and goggles (lye can be dangerous, so always handle with care)

– Mixing spoons/spatulas

Instructions:

1. Safety first:

   Always wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing while making soap. Lye is caustic and can cause burns if it comes into contact with skin.

2. Prepare your lye solution:  

   In a heat-resistant container (preferably glass or plastic), carefully pour the lye into the water. Always add lye to water, not the other way around! Stir gently (never breathe in the fumes) and let the solution cool down to around 38-43°C.

3. Melt your oils: 

   In a separate pot, combine the olive oil and coconut oil. Heat gently on the stove until the oils melt and reach about 38-43°C (the same temperature as your lye solution). 

4. Mix the lye and oils:  

   Once both the oils and the lye solution are at the same temperature, slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils. Use your stick blender to blend the mixture until it reaches “trace.” This means the mixture should thicken to the consistency of pudding.

5. Add your extras:

   At this point, you can add essential oils for fragrance (usually about 20-30g for a good scent). Aussie favourites like Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, or Lemon Myrtle work great! You can also add natural colourants like Australian clay, dried flowers, or oats for texture.

6. Pour into your mould:  

   Pour the soap batter into your mould. Tap it gently on the bench to remove any air bubbles. Smooth the top with a spatula.

7. Let the soap set:

   Cover your mould with a towel to keep it warm and allow the soap to harden. Let it sit for 24-48 hours, or until it has firmed up enough to be removed from the mould.

8. Cut and cure: 

   Once the soap is set, remove it from the mould and cut it into bars. Place the bars in a cool, dry area and let them cure for 4-6 weeks. This will allow excess moisture to evaporate, making the soap harder and longer-lasting.

Enjoy your beautifully handcrafted Aussie soap!