Instructions for Making Olive Oil Soap
Purists say that a batch of olive oil soap isn't authentic unless it uses 100 percent olive oil. However, many soap makers add other oils, which aid in the hardening of the soap and help to produce a better lather. One hundred percent olive oil soap produces a lather that is described as "slimy" and is not what most are used to. The benefits, though, are its mild moisturizing effects. Mild enough for a baby, the olive oil soap moisturizes without clogging pores.
Ingredients
When preparing to make olive oil soap, you will need to follow the recipe exactly. As of December 2009, www.delcitysoap.com has a recipe for beginners. Unlike food preparation, which allows for cutting back on ingredients or adding more to adjust the size of the batch, the chemical reactions are necessary for the soap-making process to depend on the exact amount of each ingredient. You will need to purchase lye, pure olive oil, distilled water, a heat proof container for mixing the lye, such as Pyrex or stainless steel, one large stainless steel container for mixing the soap, a plastic container with a lid, a rubber spoon and preferably a stick blender. A thermometer is also a good idea. Lye is a dangerous chemical, so it is very important that you use rubber gloves, protective eyewear and clothing. Don't allow children or pets to be wandering about while you are making the soap. Never use aluminum materials with lye, as it reacts badly with the chemical properties of the metal. Lye can be purchased at most grocery stores. Read the label of the olive oil you buy, make sure it is olive oil and nothing else. Some grocery brands aren't pure, while others are.
Process
Pour distilled water into a heat-proof container, then add lye. As the two are mixed together, it will get very hot so be careful. After mixing, place somewhere cool (like a garage) to allow the mixture to cool. When it is warm to the touch, you can start heating up the olive oil. Pour it into the large mixing pot and heat on the stove until it is 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Very carefully pour the lye mixture in with the oil. Be slow, you don't want any spillage. Continue to stir the oil while you pour. Stir for a few minutes until it becomes mixed, then use your stick blender. You can also use a regular blender or just use a spoon to stir. A stick blender makes the process fastest and easiest. You want to alternate between stick blending and hand stirring for about 10 minutes, until the mixture is a pudding consistency. Pour the mixture into your plastic container with a lid. This is your mold and MUST have a lid. Cover with blankets (this is important to the process of solidifying the mixture). When it has solidified take it out of the mold and cut into bars as soon as possible. Cutting will become more difficult the harder it gets. Store the soap in a well-ventilated area for about four weeks before use.
Tags: olive soap, stick blender, container mixing, container with, distilled water