Crock-Pot Soap

I've had several requests for the soap recipe I made with a friend in a Crock-Pot.
It will probably take you more time to find all the ingredients than it will to actually make the soap, but it will be worth it! In fact, I don't know that I'll ever buy store bought soap again. The object of our soap making was not to make pretty bars, as you can tell, but make soap that we could grate, add to water along with some fragrance and gelatin and make a liquid soap out of. Our family was VERY pleased with the final product!

It is very important to use a digital scale for measuring all ingredients.
It is also very helpful to have a stick blender, although it isn't necessary. Your arm will get very tired of stirring, and stirring, and stirring some more, getting your mixture to trace; I equate this process to making pudding on the stove.

If you have never worked with lye before, it is extremely important to understand how dangerous is can be. You need to wear goggles, an apron or old clothes, and gloves. This is not something that you want on your skin or in your eyes.

Check out my prior post with all the pictures so that you can better understand the process. And as always, feel to ask any questions....

8 oz (227g) avocado oil
2 oz (57g) castor oil
10 oz (284g) coconut oil
24 oz (682g) olive oil
8 oz (227g) palm kernel oil
6 oz (170g) shea butter
22 oz (625g)distilled water
7.8 oz (222g) lye

1. Place your measuring cup on the scale and tare to zero. Measure your distilled water.
2. Measure lye in a glass or stainless steel measuring cup.
3. In a well-ventilated area, add lye to water while stirring with a long handled wooden spoon
4. Once all lye is dissolved neutralized your wooden spoon. (see note below)
5. Measure your hard oils: coconut, palm, and shea butter. Heat them on low heat until melted.
6. Measure all liquid oils and place in a Crock-Pot. Add your melted solid oils and mix thoroughly.
7. Slowly and carefully, add lye water to the oils.
   
8. Using a stick blender, blend the soap mixture until it reaches a trace. (if adding a colorant, this is where you would add it)
   
9. Cook the soap until it has fully saponified, and then you may add an essential oil, or fragrance oil.
10. Line molds and spray with olive oil. Add soap mixture and allow the soap to sit for 4-6 hours. The soap is ready for use as soon as it has hardened.

How to neutralize lye:
Make a mixture that is equal parts soapy water and white vinegar. Use this to wash anything that comes in contact with the lye, skin and utensils.