Basic Castile Soap Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil on low flame to approximately 80-85 F.
• Dissolve the lye in the water.
• Cool to about 70-75 F.
• Pour the lye solution in a thin, steady stream, into the oil with slow, even stirring.
• You shouldn't be heating the mixture at this time.
• Continue stirring until a thick, honeylike texture is obtained.
• This will take 10-20 minutes.
• Note: If the soap mixture does not become thick within 30 minutes, and there is a greasy layer on top, it may be too warm.
• If this happens, set the container in cool water and keep stirring from the sides and the bottom.
• Contrastingly, if the mixture is lumpy, it may be too cold.
• If this happens, set it in a pan of warm water and stir until the lumps disappear.
• Pour the thickened soap mixture into your molds.
• Cover.
• Keep warm for a minium of 24 hours.
• This allows the saponification process to take place slowly and will prevent the mixture from separating.
• You can wrap your soap molds in an old blanket.
• When the soap is set, remove it from the molds and cut it into bars.
• Allow the soap to age for atleast 2 weeks in a dry place.
• Note: If the soap is crumbly or has streaks of grease, it may be reclaimed as follows: Cut the soap into fine pieces.
• Add 2 cups of water and dissolve over low flame.
• Stir occasionally.
• When the lumps have disappeared, increase the heat and boil until the soap appears thick.
• Pour soap in molds and continue as explained above.