Honeycrisp Apple Soap Project
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 2-3 Pounds of Soap
Project Description
Washington state is known for its delicious apples. In fact, Washington produces 6 out of every 10 apples consumed in the United States! To highlight this local ingredient, we added applesauce from BelleWood Farms to the recipe. It's one of Northwest Washington’s largest apple orchards and a great addition to the community. The farm is located just about 15 minutes away from the Bramble Berry offices. Using a local ingredient in your soap is a fantastic way to highlight where it comes from and support other makers in your area.
Because this soap contains applesauce made with Honeycrisp apples, we used colors inspired by them. That means shades of bright red/pink, green, and a touch of yellow. Then, a Hanger Swirl Tool is used to pull the colors up and down to mimic the stripes on the apples. Apple Sage Fragrance Oil gives the bars a slightly tart and fruity scent.
Don’t worry about the applesauce going bad in the soap. It goes through the saponification process along with the oils and lye, and the high pH of soap prevents mold and bacteria growth. To account for the extra water in the applesauce, this recipe contains a 10% water discount. We are also using slightly cooler temperatures to compensate for the sugar. If you live in a hot climate, you may want to place the soap in the fridge after pouring into the mold to keep temperatures cool. The extra natural sugar will contribute to a fluffy lather in the final bars of soap.
When selecting the applesauce, make sure it does not have any extra ingredients like preservatives. These could cause unpredictable results in your soap.
You will need:
- 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold
- Hanger Swirl Tool
- 9.5 oz. Olive Oil (27%)
- 10.5 oz. Coconut Oil (30%)
- 8.8 oz. Palm Oil (25%)
- 1.8 oz. Shea Butter (5%)
- 3.5 oz. Avocado Oil (10%)
- 1 oz. Castor Oil (3%)
- 5 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 10.4 oz. Distilled Water (10% water discount)
- 2 oz. Applesauce
- 1.7 oz. Apple Sage Fragrance Oil
- Buttercup Mica
- Kermit Green Mica
- Sunset Orange Mica
- Raspberry Mica
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 1.7 ounces of Apple Sage Fragrance Oil into a glass container. Set aside.
COLORANT PREP: In separate containers, disperse 1 teaspoon of Buttercup Mica and 1 teaspoon of Sunset Orange Mica into 1 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil. Then in separate containers, disperse 1/2 teaspoon of Kermit Green Mica and 1/2 teaspoon of Raspberry Mica into 1/2 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil (like sweet almond or sunflower oil). Use a mini mixer to help get rid of any clumps.
TOOL PREP: Bend the hanger tool so it fits inside the mold by length.
APPLE PREP: Measure out 2 ounces of applesauce. Set aside.
SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices. That means goggles, gloves, and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, other distractions, and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your soaping space. Always soap in a well-ventilated area.
Follow these steps:
1
Slowly and carefully add 5 ounces of lye to 10.4 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. Optional: Add 2 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help the bars harden more quickly.
2
Fully melt and combine 10.5 ounces of coconut oil, 8.8 ounces of palm oil, 9.5 ounces of olive oil, 1 ounce of castor oil, 1.8 ounces of shea butter, and 3.5 ounces of avocado oil. Add the applesauce to the melted oils and stick blend for about a minute to break up clumps.
3
Add the lye water to the oils and stick blend until thin trace. After about 10-20 seconds of blending, you’ll notice the soap start to darken into a honey color. This is due to the sugar content in the applesauce.
4
Split the soap into 4 equal containers with 400 mL each. Check out that color change!
5
Add the following amounts of dispersed mica into each container and use a whisk to mix.
- Container A (pink): 1 tsp. dispersed Raspberry Mica + 1 tsp. Sunset Orange Mica
- Container B (green): 1 tsp. dispersed Kermit Green Mica
- Container C (orange): 1 tsp. dispersed Sunset Orange Mica
- Container D (yellow): All dispersed Buttercup Mica
6
Add the Apple Sage Fragrance Oil evenly into each container (it’s okay to eyeball it). Use a whisk to fully mix.
7
Begin pouring stripes of each color down the length of the mold. It doesn’t really matter what color you start with or in what order. We started with orange, then poured in the pink, green, and yellow. Pour the colors from various heights so they break through to the layer below. Don’t worry about being too precise with each pour.
8
Continue pouring the colors into the mold. Expect to have enough soap for about 4 pours of each. Save a small amount of each color for the top.
9
Insert the Hanger Swirl Tool into one side of the mold all the way to the bottom. Drag the hanger against the bottom of the mold toward you. Once you drag the hanger about 1/8th of the way, pull the hanger up until it almost breaks through the top of the soap, but not quite. Move the hanger toward you about 1/8th of the way. Push the hanger back down into the soap, and drag the hanger against the bottom of the mold and move it toward you again, moving about 1/8th of the way. Bring the hanger up until it almost breaks the top, then move it over and push it back down. Repeat this process again, moving in the opposite direction. Only move the Hanger Swirl Tool vertically in the mold. This wasn’t my most precise hanger swirl, so don’t worry about making it perfect!
10
Tap the mold on the counter to help get rid of any bubbles. Drizzle each color on top down the length of the mold.
11
Insert a chopstick or dowel into the very top of the soap. Drag the tool down the length of the mold opposite of the direction you poured the soap on top to create the most interesting swirl. Don’t over swirl or the colors will muddle. Once you’re happy with the look, spritz the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol to avoid soda ash.
Due to the extra sugar in the applesauce, this soap can overheat. If your room temperature is on the cooler side, you can leave it out on the counter without insulation for the first 24 hours. If you live in a hot climate, you may want to place the soap into the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Allow the soap to stay in the mold for about 3 days. Remove from the mold and cut into bars. Allow the bars to cure for 4-6 weeks and enjoy!
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman
Honeycrisp Apple Soap Project
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Time: 1 hour
- Yield: About 2-3 Pounds of Soap
Project Description
Washington state is known for its delicious apples. In fact, Washington produces 6 out of every 10 apples consumed in the United States! To highlight this local ingredient, we added applesauce from BelleWood Farms to the recipe. It's one of Northwest Washington’s largest apple orchards and a great addition to the community. The farm is located just about 15 minutes away from the Bramble Berry offices. Using a local ingredient in your soap is a fantastic way to highlight where it comes from and support other makers in your area.
Because this soap contains applesauce made with Honeycrisp apples, we used colors inspired by them. That means shades of bright red/pink, green, and a touch of yellow. Then, a Hanger Swirl Tool is used to pull the colors up and down to mimic the stripes on the apples. Apple Sage Fragrance Oil gives the bars a slightly tart and fruity scent.
Don’t worry about the applesauce going bad in the soap. It goes through the saponification process along with the oils and lye, and the high pH of soap prevents mold and bacteria growth. To account for the extra water in the applesauce, this recipe contains a 10% water discount. We are also using slightly cooler temperatures to compensate for the sugar. If you live in a hot climate, you may want to place the soap in the fridge after pouring into the mold to keep temperatures cool. The extra natural sugar will contribute to a fluffy lather in the final bars of soap.
When selecting the applesauce, make sure it does not have any extra ingredients like preservatives. These could cause unpredictable results in your soap.
You will need:
- 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold
- Hanger Swirl Tool
- 9.5 oz. Olive Oil (27%)
- 10.5 oz. Coconut Oil (30%)
- 8.8 oz. Palm Oil (25%)
- 1.8 oz. Shea Butter (5%)
- 3.5 oz. Avocado Oil (10%)
- 1 oz. Castor Oil (3%)
- 5 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 10.4 oz. Distilled Water (10% water discount)
- 2 oz. Applesauce
- 1.7 oz. Apple Sage Fragrance Oil
- Buttercup Mica
- Kermit Green Mica
- Sunset Orange Mica
- Raspberry Mica
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 1.7 ounces of Apple Sage Fragrance Oil into a glass container. Set aside.
COLORANT PREP: In separate containers, disperse 1 teaspoon of Buttercup Mica and 1 teaspoon of Sunset Orange Mica into 1 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil. Then in separate containers, disperse 1/2 teaspoon of Kermit Green Mica and 1/2 teaspoon of Raspberry Mica into 1/2 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil (like sweet almond or sunflower oil). Use a mini mixer to help get rid of any clumps.
TOOL PREP: Bend the hanger tool so it fits inside the mold by length.
APPLE PREP: Measure out 2 ounces of applesauce. Set aside.
SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices. That means goggles, gloves, and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, other distractions, and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your soaping space. Always soap in a well-ventilated area.
Follow these steps:
1
Slowly and carefully add 5 ounces of lye to 10.4 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. Optional: Add 2 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help the bars harden more quickly.
2
Fully melt and combine 10.5 ounces of coconut oil, 8.8 ounces of palm oil, 9.5 ounces of olive oil, 1 ounce of castor oil, 1.8 ounces of shea butter, and 3.5 ounces of avocado oil. Add the applesauce to the melted oils and stick blend for about a minute to break up clumps.
3
Add the lye water to the oils and stick blend until thin trace. After about 10-20 seconds of blending, you’ll notice the soap start to darken into a honey color. This is due to the sugar content in the applesauce.
4
Split the soap into 4 equal containers with 400 mL each. Check out that color change!
5
Add the following amounts of dispersed mica into each container and use a whisk to mix.
- Container A (pink): 1 tsp. dispersed Raspberry Mica + 1 tsp. Sunset Orange Mica
- Container B (green): 1 tsp. dispersed Kermit Green Mica
- Container C (orange): 1 tsp. dispersed Sunset Orange Mica
- Container D (yellow): All dispersed Buttercup Mica
6
Add the Apple Sage Fragrance Oil evenly into each container (it’s okay to eyeball it). Use a whisk to fully mix.
7
Begin pouring stripes of each color down the length of the mold. It doesn’t really matter what color you start with or in what order. We started with orange, then poured in the pink, green, and yellow. Pour the colors from various heights so they break through to the layer below. Don’t worry about being too precise with each pour.
8
Continue pouring the colors into the mold. Expect to have enough soap for about 4 pours of each. Save a small amount of each color for the top.
9
Insert the Hanger Swirl Tool into one side of the mold all the way to the bottom. Drag the hanger against the bottom of the mold toward you. Once you drag the hanger about 1/8th of the way, pull the hanger up until it almost breaks through the top of the soap, but not quite. Move the hanger toward you about 1/8th of the way. Push the hanger back down into the soap, and drag the hanger against the bottom of the mold and move it toward you again, moving about 1/8th of the way. Bring the hanger up until it almost breaks the top, then move it over and push it back down. Repeat this process again, moving in the opposite direction. Only move the Hanger Swirl Tool vertically in the mold. This wasn’t my most precise hanger swirl, so don’t worry about making it perfect!
10
Tap the mold on the counter to help get rid of any bubbles. Drizzle each color on top down the length of the mold.
11
Insert a chopstick or dowel into the very top of the soap. Drag the tool down the length of the mold opposite of the direction you poured the soap on top to create the most interesting swirl. Don’t over swirl or the colors will muddle. Once you’re happy with the look, spritz the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol to avoid soda ash.
Due to the extra sugar in the applesauce, this soap can overheat. If your room temperature is on the cooler side, you can leave it out on the counter without insulation for the first 24 hours. If you live in a hot climate, you may want to place the soap into the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Allow the soap to stay in the mold for about 3 days. Remove from the mold and cut into bars. Allow the bars to cure for 4-6 weeks and enjoy!
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman
You will need:
- 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold
- Hanger Swirl Tool
- 9.5 oz. Olive Oil (27%)
- 10.5 oz. Coconut Oil (30%)
- 8.8 oz. Palm Oil (25%)
- 1.8 oz. Shea Butter (5%)
- 3.5 oz. Avocado Oil (10%)
- 1 oz. Castor Oil (3%)
- 5 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 10.4 oz. Distilled Water (10% water discount)
- 2 oz. Applesauce
- 1.7 oz. Apple Sage Fragrance Oil
- Buttercup Mica
- Kermit Green Mica
- Sunset Orange Mica
- Raspberry Mica
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 1.7 ounces of Apple Sage Fragrance Oil into a glass container. Set aside.
COLORANT PREP: In separate containers, disperse 1 teaspoon of Buttercup Mica and 1 teaspoon of Sunset Orange Mica into 1 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil. Then in separate containers, disperse 1/2 teaspoon of Kermit Green Mica and 1/2 teaspoon of Raspberry Mica into 1/2 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil (like sweet almond or sunflower oil). Use a mini mixer to help get rid of any clumps.
TOOL PREP: Bend the hanger tool so it fits inside the mold by length.
APPLE PREP: Measure out 2 ounces of applesauce. Set aside.
SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices. That means goggles, gloves, and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, other distractions, and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your soaping space. Always soap in a well-ventilated area.
Follow these steps:
1
Slowly and carefully add 5 ounces of lye to 10.4 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. Optional: Add 2 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help the bars harden more quickly.
2
Fully melt and combine 10.5 ounces of coconut oil, 8.8 ounces of palm oil, 9.5 ounces of olive oil, 1 ounce of castor oil, 1.8 ounces of shea butter, and 3.5 ounces of avocado oil. Add the applesauce to the melted oils and stick blend for about a minute to break up clumps.
3
Add the lye water to the oils and stick blend until thin trace. After about 10-20 seconds of blending, you’ll notice the soap start to darken into a honey color. This is due to the sugar content in the applesauce.
4
Split the soap into 4 equal containers with 400 mL each. Check out that color change!
5
Add the following amounts of dispersed mica into each container and use a whisk to mix.
- Container A (pink): 1 tsp. dispersed Raspberry Mica + 1 tsp. Sunset Orange Mica
- Container B (green): 1 tsp. dispersed Kermit Green Mica
- Container C (orange): 1 tsp. dispersed Sunset Orange Mica
- Container D (yellow): All dispersed Buttercup Mica
6
Add the Apple Sage Fragrance Oil evenly into each container (it’s okay to eyeball it). Use a whisk to fully mix.
7
Begin pouring stripes of each color down the length of the mold. It doesn’t really matter what color you start with or in what order. We started with orange, then poured in the pink, green, and yellow. Pour the colors from various heights so they break through to the layer below. Don’t worry about being too precise with each pour.
8
Continue pouring the colors into the mold. Expect to have enough soap for about 4 pours of each. Save a small amount of each color for the top.
9
Insert the Hanger Swirl Tool into one side of the mold all the way to the bottom. Drag the hanger against the bottom of the mold toward you. Once you drag the hanger about 1/8th of the way, pull the hanger up until it almost breaks through the top of the soap, but not quite. Move the hanger toward you about 1/8th of the way. Push the hanger back down into the soap, and drag the hanger against the bottom of the mold and move it toward you again, moving about 1/8th of the way. Bring the hanger up until it almost breaks the top, then move it over and push it back down. Repeat this process again, moving in the opposite direction. Only move the Hanger Swirl Tool vertically in the mold. This wasn’t my most precise hanger swirl, so don’t worry about making it perfect!
10
Tap the mold on the counter to help get rid of any bubbles. Drizzle each color on top down the length of the mold.
11
Insert a chopstick or dowel into the very top of the soap. Drag the tool down the length of the mold opposite of the direction you poured the soap on top to create the most interesting swirl. Don’t over swirl or the colors will muddle. Once you’re happy with the look, spritz the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol to avoid soda ash.
Due to the extra sugar in the applesauce, this soap can overheat. If your room temperature is on the cooler side, you can leave it out on the counter without insulation for the first 24 hours. If you live in a hot climate, you may want to place the soap into the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Allow the soap to stay in the mold for about 3 days. Remove from the mold and cut into bars. Allow the bars to cure for 4-6 weeks and enjoy!
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman
