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Easy Transparent Soap Recipe
This is a very basic recipe that works nicely. I'll assume that you already know how to make soap and take the proper safety precautions with lye, etc. But if not, just let me know!
What you'll need:
40 ounces coconut oil
26 ounces castor oil
16 ounces melted stearic acid
13 ounces lye added to 27 ounces distilled water
29 ounces ethanol or high-proof alcohol (I use Galen 151 vodka)
16 ounces glycerin
16 ounces table sugar added to 10 ounces distilled or filtered water
A 12-quart pot with a glass lid (so you can watch the soap without removing the lid)
A large fan to prevent alcohol fumes from building up
Procedure:
1. Mix your lye solution. While it's cooling, melt your coconut oil and castor oil.
2. Once the oils are melted, add your lye solution to the pot and mix well. Don't worry about trace at this point.
3. Next, add your melted stearic acid and stir well. The mixture should trace very rapidly at this point.
4. Now you'll want to pour in your alcohol. Make sure you have your fan pointed at the pot to blow away any fumes that might accumulate. Use your spoon to make sure no soap is sticking to the bottom or sides of the pot, then cover with the glass lid.
5. Allow the mixture to come to a low boil for two hours so the soap dissolves completely in the alcohol. It will also completely neutralize during this time.
6. After 2 hours, check the soap to make sure it looks completely dissolved. If you still see chunks of cream-colored soap, add more alcohol and continue to boil until the soap is thin and completely clear.
7. Remove your pot from the heat and add the glycerin and dissolved sugar. These ingredients will ensure the clearest soap possible.
8. Let the pot settle for about 20 minutes, then add your fragrance and coloring.
9. Pour into molds and let set for about 12 hours.
10. Now you can unmold your soap and cut if necessary. The soap will be completely neutralized (thanks to the hot process), so you can use them right away if you like. For very hard, clear bars, allow to sit out and dry for at least 2 weeks.
What you'll need:
40 ounces coconut oil
26 ounces castor oil
16 ounces melted stearic acid
13 ounces lye added to 27 ounces distilled water
29 ounces ethanol or high-proof alcohol (I use Galen 151 vodka)
16 ounces glycerin
16 ounces table sugar added to 10 ounces distilled or filtered water
A 12-quart pot with a glass lid (so you can watch the soap without removing the lid)
A large fan to prevent alcohol fumes from building up
Procedure:
1. Mix your lye solution. While it's cooling, melt your coconut oil and castor oil.
2. Once the oils are melted, add your lye solution to the pot and mix well. Don't worry about trace at this point.
3. Next, add your melted stearic acid and stir well. The mixture should trace very rapidly at this point.
4. Now you'll want to pour in your alcohol. Make sure you have your fan pointed at the pot to blow away any fumes that might accumulate. Use your spoon to make sure no soap is sticking to the bottom or sides of the pot, then cover with the glass lid.
5. Allow the mixture to come to a low boil for two hours so the soap dissolves completely in the alcohol. It will also completely neutralize during this time.
6. After 2 hours, check the soap to make sure it looks completely dissolved. If you still see chunks of cream-colored soap, add more alcohol and continue to boil until the soap is thin and completely clear.
7. Remove your pot from the heat and add the glycerin and dissolved sugar. These ingredients will ensure the clearest soap possible.
8. Let the pot settle for about 20 minutes, then add your fragrance and coloring.
9. Pour into molds and let set for about 12 hours.
10. Now you can unmold your soap and cut if necessary. The soap will be completely neutralized (thanks to the hot process), so you can use them right away if you like. For very hard, clear bars, allow to sit out and dry for at least 2 weeks.
Views: 440
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Murphy on -
Thanks for posting this Jennifer! How many pounds of soap does this make? Do you just total the amount of oils or does this come out to be some what more? Also, one of the books I had read said to stir every half hour. Do you suggest doing that or leaving it alone? Do you use a crock pot and if so, what size for this amount? One more question (can't wait to try this!)--this may sound nuts, but is it OK to mix the kinds of alcohol? I have Everclear (illegal in my state, bought in another state, used to make lotion) but not enough...can I mix it with a lower proof alcohol?
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Jennifer Bahney on -
Yep, you can definitely mix your alcohols. Keep in mind that grain alcohol will give you a clearer soap, so try not to use too much isopropyl. There's also the "alcohol smell" that isopropyl can give you. Your liquor store should have Galen 151 vodka - that works really well. BUT, feel free to experiment! Just be safe - always keep a fan trained on the pot so the fumes don't build up. Really, it's no more dangerous than handling lye; you just have to be aware of the precautions.
I use what Failor calls the "alcohol/lye method." I find it much simpIer than the "basic paste method." I don't have to stir much because the boiling action really does it for me.
I believe the recipe I gave yields about 12 pounds of soap. -
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Murphy on
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After step 6 in the "procedure", how much extra alcohol can you add? I still have some chunks and it's not getting thin after adding an additional 3 oz. I reduced the recipe to 1/3 because of amt. of ingredients I had on hand. Of course, by the time you see this it will probably be too late for me :) but thought I'd take a chance! At least I'll know for next time!
Thanks! -
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Jennifer Bahney on
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Just keep adding several ounces at a time, then letting it boil for 10 minutes or so until it's all dissolved.
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Jennifer Bahney on
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You can also always strain out any undissolved soap before you pour into molds. Sometimes, I'll pour through a strainer first just to make sure nothing but clear soap gets through.
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Murphy on
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Thanks Jennifer! I'll let you know how this turns out!
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Murphy on
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The deed is done! I think I was trying to be too perfect and could have been done sooner. I guess I didn't know what to do with what I was calling the scum. I scooped it out and stuffed it in a silicone mold. Do you get this scum? Strained what was left, colored and fragranced and poured into 2 PVC molds. Now I can't wait to unmold in the morning.
My third of the recipe just fit in my 5 qt. slow cooker (due to the foaming up). What do you cook in that can hold the whole recipe? Can it be cooked in a pot directly on the stove?
Thanks for all your help :) -
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Jennifer Bahney on
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Hey! Congrats! Can't wait to hear about the finished product. Unmolding is my favorite thing... so exciting!
I always keep extra alcohol on hand to counteract the foaming. Sorry I forgot to mention that.
I'll check the size of my pots... I have several that I use, but I haven't had a problem with my smaller pot.
I cook directly on the stove, although Failor recommends a double-boiler.
Let me know how it turned out!! -
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Murphy on
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Perfect! I can't believe that my first try worked! I was dancing around the kitchen after I cut my first bar and held it up to the light! Thank you, thank you!
When molding CP in my pipes I line them with butcher paper. I did so with these also and this soap seems to be less forgiving than CP. Any little overlap or wrinkle showed up. Do you line your PVC pipes? -
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Jennifer Bahney on
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I do not line them. I spray them first with pam cooking spray. I also find that the shorter the pipe, the easier to unmold.
Congrats on your first batch!! What scent did you use? Please post pics! -
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Murphy on
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Thanks for the mold tips!
I colored it with a crimson sparkle mica and scented it with Spiced Cranberry...looks just like jellied cranberry sauce! My camera skills aren't the greatest but here are two pics...the one of the whole batch (they are shiny which doesn't show up in the pics) and the little flecs you see in the closeup of the sliver are the sparkle mica. Sorry the pics are so large! Next time I'll know to resize:) - Attachments:
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000_0002.JPG, 813 KB -
000_0003.JPG, 776 KB
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Jennifer Bahney on
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Beautiful!! Great job! I can smell them from here... mmmmm
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Bramble Berry
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