Easy 3-Oil Soap Recipe
Many soap recipes require multiple types of oils as well as essential oils for scent. This recipe is for pure, natural unscented soap that's great for general use and even sensitive enough for babies. Detailed soapmaking instructions are available in the next part of this series. Technical information: 1lb / 454g batch -- 6% superfat -- 33% water discount
Servings 6 bars
Cost $15
Equipment
- Containers to measure liquid oils, clay, and dry lye granules/pellets.
Ingredients
Lye water
- 64 g sodium hydroxide 2.27 oz
- 128 g distilled water 4.5 oz
Solid oils
- 113 g coconut oil (refined) 4 oz (25%)
- 159 g sustainably-sourced palm oil 5.6 oz (35%) - Please ensure that your palm oil is certified by the RSPO as being sustainable. You can also use tallow, an animal fat, instead of palm oil.
Liquid oils
- 182 g olive oil (light colored or pomace) 6.42 oz (40%)
Instructions
- Create the lye solution by pouring the sodium hydroxide into the distilled water. Stir well and leave the jug to cool in a shallow basin or sink of water.
- Heat the solid oils in a small saucepan on low heat until just melted, no longer. Take off the hob and place it on a pot holder.
- Pour the olive oil into the pan. Stir to mix, and make sure to scrape every last drop from the container. Take the temperature - you're aiming for around 100°F (38°C).
- Take the temperature of the lye solution - you're aiming for around 100°F (38°C).
- When the oils and the lye solution temperatures are around 100°F (38°C) and within ten degrees of one another, it's time to mix.
- Use an immersion blender to emulsify the ingredients. Mix until you reach a light trace.
- Pour the soap batter into the mold(s)
- Leave it on the counter to cool and harden or insulate it to force gelling.
- Leave the soap for two days before unmolding, cutting into bars (if applicable), and curing for one month. After a month, the soap is ready to use and has a shelf life of up to two years.
Notes
*You can use pomace olive oil, light-colored olive oil, or extra virgin olive oil (evoo). Extra virgin olive oil will result in a more yellow-colored soap.