Introduction
Making soap at home can be a fun and fulfilling hobby. One of the most popular methods of soap making is the cold process, which involves mixing oils and lye to create a chemical reaction that produces soap. In this tutorial, we will be focusing on a cold process soap recipe that uses lard as one of the main ingredients.
Why Use Lard?
Lard is a popular ingredient in soap making because it produces a hard bar with excellent cleansing properties. It is also readily available and inexpensive. However, some people may choose to avoid using lard due to its animal origin. If you are looking for a vegan option, you can substitute lard with vegetable shortening.
Ingredients
To make cold process soap with lard, you will need the following ingredients: – 500 grams lard – 200 grams coconut oil – 200 grams olive oil – 70 grams lye – 170 grams water – Essential oils (optional)
Equipment
You will also need the following equipment: – Safety goggles – Gloves – Stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic container for mixing lye and water – Stainless steel pot for melting oils – Digital kitchen scale – Stick blender – Soap molds
Instructions
1. Put on your safety goggles and gloves. 2. Weigh out the lye and water separately using a digital kitchen scale. 3. Slowly pour the lye into the water while stirring with a heat-resistant spoon. Be careful as the mixture will become hot and release fumes. 4. Set the lye solution aside to cool. 5. In a stainless steel pot, melt the lard and coconut oil over low heat. 6. Once melted, add the olive oil and stir to combine. 7. Set the oils aside to cool. 8. When both the lye solution and oils have cooled to around 40°C, slowly pour the lye solution into the oils while stirring with a stick blender. 9. Blend the mixture until it reaches trace, which is when the mixture thickens and resembles a thin custard. 10. Add essential oils if desired and stir to combine. 11. Pour the mixture into soap molds and cover with a towel or piece of cardboard. 12. Let the soap sit for 24-48 hours to harden. 13. Remove the soap from the molds and cut into bars. 14. Allow the soap to cure for 4-6 weeks before using.
Tips
– Always wear safety goggles and gloves when handling lye. – Make sure to use stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic containers and utensils, as lye can react with other materials. – Use a stick blender to speed up the mixing process and ensure that the lye and oils are thoroughly combined. – If you are new to soap making, it’s a good idea to start with a small batch and work your way up. – You can experiment with different essential oils to create your own unique scent.
Conclusion
Making cold process soap with lard is a rewarding and enjoyable process. With a few simple ingredients and equipment, you can create your own high-quality soap bars that are perfect for personal use or as gifts. Just remember to take the necessary safety precautions and follow the instructions carefully. Happy soap making!