Tips To Make Liquid Soap And Precautions One Should Take

If you want to enhance your shower experience – bid adieu to solid soap and try making liquid soap. Creating a liquid soap is not as simple as making solid soap, although not even too complicated. Soap development starts by a simple chemical reaction between oils and alkali. Liquid soap is formed by the combination of fat (oil) and a strong solution of sodium and potassium hydroxide.

For solid soaps, sodium hydroxide is used and different types of oils are used. But, to make it generally coconut oil is preferred in combination of soft oils (like olive oil). The use of hard oil is also good for liquid soap. But, if you want to make clear liquid one, then use of soft oil is recommended.

As you are devising your own liquid soap, experiment with various types of oils/fats (soft or hard). Not all soft oils behave in similar pattern. Ensure maintaining a proper balance of lather and moisturizing.

Ingredients For Making Liquid Soap:

For making liquid one, you will need these ingredients in equal quantity:
• 7 oz. coconut oil
• 16.5 oz. sunflower oil
• 5.5 oz. KOH (Potassium Hydroxide)
• 16.5 sublimated water for sodium and KOH mixture
• 40 oz. concentrated water to dilute the soap paste
• Boric acid
• 3 oz. fragrance or essential oils
• Colorant or soap dye, as desired

Equipments Needed For Making Liquid Soap:

Liquid soap making requires various equipments and implements like big crock pot, a thermometer, scale, measuring cups, potato masher, stick blender etc.

Steps To Follow For Liquid Soap Making:

Mix The Ingredients – Mix all the oils in equal quantity in a large crock pot on low flame. As the oils are heating up, mix sodium and potassium hydroxide in water following standard lye-making process. Exercise caution using caustic potash, as it is a bit volatile and if not handled properly can hurt. When the lye-water is completely mixed, slowly add it into the hot oil mixture. Stir the mixture and later blend it using a stick blender.

Trace The Soap – This process tests your patience! Depending upon your mixture and quantity, it may take a long time to get to trace (approx. 30 minutes or more). Make a thick paste and ensure no liquid is left before moving to the next step.

Cook The Paste – Place the soap trace on heat and give the mixture a good stir, cover with the lid, and wait. It may take approx. 3-4 hours for this soap to cook. Keep stirring the mixture after every 20-30 minutes. After the specified time, it will get creamy mostly Vaseline type.

Test The Mixture – Add two ounces of water and one ounce of c, stir it until the mixture dissolves in water.

Dilute The Paste – Bring the paste to boil and keep stirring with spoon or potato masher for a few minutes. Take off the heat and cover the mixture with a lid. After the soap is completely dissolved in water, neutralize it and add fragrance. Put the mixture on heat again at 180 degrees. In a separate container add neutralizing solution boric acid and boric solution. Pour the neutralizer in the soap mixture and stir well. Later, add fragrance or colour. Enjoy your liquid soap.

Precautions:

Lye – a strong solution of sodium and potassium hydroxide can hurt your skin (may even burn), eyes (may cause blindness), or open body parts due to its inflammable nature. Wear gloves and wear goggles when handling potassium hydroxide. Store it in an airtight jar away from the reach of children and pets. Caustic potash causes skin itching. After usage, wash your hands with vinegar and distilled water.

Michael Ortiz

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