COLOR PREP: Prior to starting the soap making process, pre-mix
your colorant in oil.
1/2 teaspoon (tsp) Green Chrome Oxide in 1/2 tablespoon (Tbl) Sunflower Oil, 1/2
tsp Titanium Dioxide in 1/2 Tbl Sunflower Oil, and 1 tsp Fizzy Lemonade in 1 Tbl
Sunflower Oil. Blend each color with the mini-mixer, but make sure to saturate the powder in the
oil before you turn on the mixer or you’ll get a messy cloud of pigment. Take
the tip of your mini-mixer and push the powder under the surface level of the
oil. Mix the colorant thoroughly for even color results.
SAFETY FIRST: If you have never made cold process soap before, I strongly suggest getting a
couple of basic recipes under your belt before diving in. Check out
Soap Queen TV on Cold Process if
you want to get started with cold process. It’s a 4 part series that will take you through the basics
(and be sure to watch the episode on
Lye Safety). You need gloves,
goggles, and long sleeves.
Safety is the most important part of any soap recipe.
If you’re a book worm, Bramble Berry also has some
helpful reading on the cold process technique.
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ONE: In a well ventilated area, slowly and carefully add the lye to the water. Stir until
the water is clear and set aside to cool.
TWO: Melt and combine Coconut and Palm oils. Add the Canola,
Castor and Sunflower oils. When both the lye water and oils are below 120
degrees (and ideally within 10 degrees of each other), carefully add the lye
water to the oils. Insert stick blender into mixture and “burp” it to release
any excess air trapped under the
blade. Stick blend the soap until a
light trace is reached.
THREE: Split the batch three ways between three containers (you
can just eyeball it - totally fine!). Add 1 tsp of the dispersed Green Chrome
Oxide and .9 oz of Sage and Lemongrass fragrance oil to one batch, 2 tsp of the
dispersed Titanium Dioxide and .9 oz of Sage and Lemongrass to the second batch,
and 5 tsp of dispersed Fizzy Lemonade colorant and .9 oz of Sage and Lemongrass
to the third. Mix all three batches well using a whisk so not to accelerate
trace. TIP: If you stir from lightest color to darkest color, you can use the
same whisk. Less dishes to clean!
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FOUR: Pour the soap into the condiment bottles; each color will
fit into one bottle. Once the bottles are filled and capped, be sure to shake
them intermittently by placing a gloved finger over the tip to ensure that the
soap doesn’t separate.
FIVE: Choose a starting color (it doesn’t matter too much which
one) and squirt soap inside the silicone loaf mold. Keep the tip of the squirt bottle low and
close to the mold, and make 3-4 passes back and forth then switch to another
color. Continue this way, alternating colors, until the mold is full. Be sure to
turn the mold every so often so that one side isn’t heavier than the other.
SIX: Tamp the mold on the table to eliminate any air bubbles.
SEVEN: Add interest to the top of the soap by using a wood
skewer to drag and swirl through just the very top layer.
EIGHT: Spray entire surface with 91% alcohol to help prevent soda ash.
NINE: Cover and insulate for 24 hours. Unmold within 3-4 days.
TEN: Allow soap to cure and dry for 4-6 weeks before using.
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