"Sunshine Citrus & Cedarwood"
Recipe Instructions
Signature soap recipe: "Sunshine Citrus & Cedarwood"
This recipe utilizes the cold process method, offering full control over ingredients and customization.
Ingredients
- Lye solution
- Distilled water: 19 oz
- Lye (sodium hydroxide): Consult a reliable lye calculator to determine the exact amount needed for the oils listed below, maintaining a superfat of 5%.
- Oils and butters
- Olive oil: 34% (approx. 17 oz for a 50 oz oil batch)
- Coconut oil: 33% (approx. 16.5 oz for a 50 oz oil batch)
- Palm oil (RSPO certified): 33% (approx. 16.5 oz for a 50 oz oil batch). Alternatively, you can substitute with a combination of lard, shea butter, or cocoa butter for a palm oil-free option.
- Additives (at trace)
- Essential oil blend (total 3% of oil weight, measured by weight):
- Sweet orange essential oil: 2 parts
- Lemongrass essential oil: 1 part
- Cedarwood essential oil: 1 part
- Turmeric powder or yellow soap colorant: Optional, for a sunny yellow hue
- Dried orange peel or lemon zest (finely ground): 1-2 tbsp (optional, for exfoliation and visual appeal).
Equipment
- Safety gear: Gloves, eye protection, long sleeves.
- Digital scale.
- Heat-resistant containers: For mixing lye solution and oils.
- Stick blender.
- Infrared thermometer.
- Soap mold.
- Baking rack.
- Cutting board and knife.
Instructions
- Safety First: Ensure you are wearing all safety gear before starting.
- Prepare the Lye Solution:
- Carefully weigh out the distilled water.
- Weigh the lye separately.
- Always add lye to water, never the other way around. Slowly sprinkle the lye into the water, stirring gently until dissolved. The solution will heat up considerably. Let it cool to between 95°F and 105°F.
- Prepare the Oils:
- Weigh out all the oils and butters.
- Melt any solid oils or butters (like coconut oil and palm oil) gently using a double boiler or microwave until completely liquefied. Avoid overheating.
- Combine all oils in a large mixing container.
- Ensure the oils also cool to between 95°F and 105°F.
- Combine Lye and Oils (Saponification):
- When both the lye solution and oils are within the target temperature range, slowly pour the lye solution into the oils while stirring with the stick blender.
- Continue blending until the mixture reaches "trace" (when it thickens to the consistency of thin pudding and a faint trail remains on the surface when you drizzle a small amount).
- Add Fragrance and Customizations:
- At trace, stir in the essential oil blend.
- If desired, add turmeric powder or colorant for a yellow hue.
- Add ground orange peel or lemon zest if using.
- Pour into Mold: Pour the soap batter into your chosen mold.
- Insulate (Optional but Recommended): Wrap the mold in a towel and leave in a dark, undisturbed place for 1-2 days to encourage the gel phase, resulting in a harder bar.
- Unmold and Cure:
- Once the soap is firm enough, unmold it and place the bars on a baking rack to allow for air circulation.
- Let the soap cure for 4-6 weeks in a well-ventilated area. This allows the soap to harden further, evaporate excess water, and become milder and longer-lasting.
Notes
- Always use a lye calculator like SoapCalc to accurately determine the amount of lye needed for your specific oil proportions and desired superfat.
- Essential oil amounts are a guideline; adjust based on the potency of your oils and your desired scent strength.
- Store homemade soap in an airtight container after curing to prolong its lifespan
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Soap Properties
Highlighted gray ranges represent recommended ranges for each property.
100
80
60
40
20
0
INS: 168.69 (high)
iodine: 49.69 (ideal)
Calculated Values for Oils and Preferences
| Superfat % | 5% |
| Saturated | 46.71 Ounce(s) |
| Mono-Unsaturated | 39.76 Ounce(s) |
| Poly-Unsaturated | 7.26 Ounce(s) |
| Saturated:Unsaturated Ratio | 50.17:49.83 |
| Lye concentration | 100% |
| Weight Unit | Ounce(s) |
| Soap type | solid |
Fatty Acid Profile
| Oleic | 39.76% |
| Linoleic | 7.26% |
| Linolenic | 0% |
| Ricinoleic | 0% |
| Lauric | 15.51% |
| Myristic | 6.50% |
| Palmitic | 20.96% |
| Stearic | 3.74% |
Recommended Additive Amounts
Swipe on table to see all values
For Advanced Soapmakers
| Sodium Lactate (60%)
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| Recommended Essential/Fragrance Oil | 4.38 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Ascorbic Acid
| 1 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Extra Lye to Neutralize Ascorbic Acid for A.A. | NaOH: 0.20 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Lactic Acid
| 0.75 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Extra Lye to Neutralize Lactic Acid for L.A. | NaOH: 0.44 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Tetrasodium EDTA
| 0.71 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Sodium Citrate
| 1.30 - 3.90 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Potassium Citrate
| 1.60 - 4.80 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Rosemary Oleoresin (ROE)
| 0.04 - 0.05 Ounce(s) | ||||||
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Citric Acid Powder (anhydrous) |
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Extra Lye to Neutralize Citric Acid Powder for C.A. |
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