How to Make All Natural Liquid Soap
Posted on June 15th, 2009
Soaps can be made through two processes, the hot and the cold process. The hot process, which completes the saponification quickly, is used to make liquid soaps.
Unlike in bar soaps which use sodium hydroxides (NaOH), liquid soaps utilize potassium hydroxide (KOH) to saponify oils. Due to larger molecule size of potassium hydroxide, it can maintain a liquid state.
Both procedure, either it is cold or hot, require safety measures. At the beginning of cooking soaps, it would be very corrosive and adhesive so contact to skin must be avoided. Vinegar would be necessary to be ready as first aid if something happens. Affected part should be doused into it immediately after contact and then rinsed thoroughly. This should be repeated until the burning stops.
Equipment
Materials needed for hot process are just similar to cold process with just an additional of a double broiler. This must be made of stainless steel to prevent corrosion and to allow faster and more even cooking. The size should be enough for a soap batch to fill up one third of the pot.
• double boiler with inner stainless steel pot
• 5 gallon bucket with cover
• blankets or towels for padding
• a stick blender, stainless steel blade
• plastic (nylon) spoon
• bowls to weigh lye and oils
• funnels
• rubber gloves
• goggles
• scale
• measuring cups
Procedure
Mix the required amount of distilled water with the weighed potassium hydroxide in a soap pot. Make sure that the soap pot is padded at the bottom because potassium hydroxide produces more heat. Allow the water to cool.While allowing the water with potassium chloride to cool down, weigh the necessary amount of oil and heat at 50- 55 C (120-120 F). Before mixing the oil and the water with potassium hydroxide, they must have approximately the same temperature. Then, similar to the cold process, we blend the liquid soap base to achieve the necessary trace.Put together the oils and the water/lyre and blend with the use of stick blender for 2-3 minutes, allowing 5 minutes rest before blending again for 2-3 minutes then blending again but this time for 10 minutes. During rest, observe for the consistency of the mixture with the use of a spoon. Continue the cycle until the thick consistency and trace occur. The main objective during this step is to achieve a heavy trace. In this step, you may now add the goat’s milk if you want to do the goat’s milk liquid soap or even add the unsaponified oil. To ensure that it will be mixed properly, a stick blender is better be used.Note: per 125 oz of oil, it is recommended to use a can of Meyenburg concentrated goat’s milk (12oz.).
Finishing
With the use of the double broiler, heat mixture. Ensure that the outer water level is the same as the soap level and remains this way throughout boiling. If necessary, you can add water. Occasionally check and stir the soap every 15 minutes. By this time, thick but unclear soap curds should be visible. The free oil will then be absorbed into the soap mass as you continue cooking, but mixing should be continuously done. The frequency of checking may be reduced after 30 minutes of cooking. Expect to see the soap changes into a gel phase. Cooking may take around 4-8 hours.You will know if the soap is ready if it is transparent without a free liquid left. Turn it over to ensure that no liquid is trapped. Now, it is time to dissolve the soap in boiling distilled water. Clean the outer pot and use it to boil the distilled water at 212 F. The ratio of 2.5 gallons per 125 oz. oil is observed.Upon boiling, the soap based should be placed in an empty 5 gallon bucket or pail where the boiling water will also be added. Mix it to break the mass of the soap. Then cover it and insulate for the mass to continuously dissolve. Every hour, for the first few hours, the bucket must be opened and stirred. Then do this once every 4-8 hours. For 2-3 days, you may still add boiling water if there are still some undissolved mass of soap. The soap is ready for use if it is completely smooth. Essential or fragrance oils may now be added. Sludge, for some goat’s milk soap, may be filtered by using cheese cloth in a sieve.
Related Video:

For raw materilas, visit…..Clean and SCented Store # 327 Bgy. Katipunan, Roosevelt Avenue, Munoz Quezon City