In the market we now see many handmade soaps. One reason why this is because it is an indispensable product for every home and human, and certainly because its manufacturing process, especially in smaller quantities, is not considered particularly demanding.
Follow us step by step and enjoy the process and the result!
Key ingredients
500g of olive oil
150 g of water (preferably distilled)
70 g of sodium hydroxide or else caustic soda;
70 g of caustic potash (potassium hydroxide)
2-3 tsp. of the various herbs
5-6 drops of essential oils
You can follow two ways, the cold or hot method.
We give you both.
Cold method
A. We choose an open space to get started. Dissolve caustic soda (or potash) in water. Caution! We do not inhale the vapors of the mixture.
B. Then, in a pan, put the oil and then pour the mixture with the soda.
C. Add the drops of essential oil of our choice and mix with a wooden spoon until the mixture begins to squeeze and bind.
D. Place the mixture in molds (if we have it), otherwise we choose a bowl or bowl from which we can easily remove the soap and cut it.
E. Allow the mixture to stabilize for a day and then add materials that we like to decorate or enrich it in general. For example, we could put linseed, anise, chamomile or dried orange peels, which we often see, perhaps because of the beautiful effect.
G. Leave the soap for another 4 days to solidify and remove it from the molds or cut it with a saw if it is uniform.
H. Finally, let the freshly cut pieces exposed to the air for another day to mature better.
Hot method
In a saucepan, we put the required amount of water and heat it until it becomes warm. We have the hood open.
Slowly add the caustic soda (or potash) stirring continuously with a wooden spoon.
When the ingredients are dissolved and the mixture begins to appear uniform, pour the oil and continue to stir on low heat for about 10 '.
At this time the mixture should look like a waterless baby cream, so it gets more density.
When the mixture binds we close the fire and leave the pot for 2-3 'in the eye.
We finally remove the pot and after a few minutes we can divide our mixture into molds or in a convenient dish, such as a pan.
Add the essential oils to the next 20-30 'and follow the same procedure as in Steps G and H again.
Useful information
- A fresh soap is not suitable due to its high acidity. The curing time lasts 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere.
- Prepared soap is white. The mature the better it is.
- We never touch our burning materials with bare hands. We always use thick, plastic gloves.
- These materials can be purchased from shops with tools, paints or even from shops with stationery and related products.
- Pouring into the water slowly becomes heat because heat is produced. Extreme care must be taken not to touch our skin or our eyes with this material!
- For molds you can use plastic ice cream disposable bowls in different sizes and shapes.
- In addition to olive oil, you can use laurel oil, coconut oil, almond oil, castor oil, olive oil, sunflower oil and / or oil mixtures.
- Try also from essential oils: Lavender, rose, mint.
Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, melissa, calendula, nettle, peppermint, hibiscus.
Alternative materials: Honey, milk, coarse salt, seaweed.
source: agrotikistegi.gr
By Aggeliki Koskeridou
Holistic Doctor – Counseling Psychotherapist
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
MSc Health Psychology
insta: dr_aggelikikoskeridou_official
