Soap - Batch #19

Based on Soap Essentials Bar II from Susan Miller Cavitch's "The Soapmakers Companion"

Base

595 g olive oil

454 g coconut oil

397 g palm oil 

Lye mixture

201 g lye

539 g water

Essential Oils 

20 g rosemary 

15 g eucalyptus 

15 g Teatree 

10 g litsea cubeana

Calendula (marigold) flowers

Directions

Melt the oils in a pot then transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer.

Mix lye mixture carefully in a plastic container.

Cool both the oil mixture and the lye mixture (separately) to about 90 to 100°F. 

Fit the mixer with a paddle attachment, and slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils as it is running at a very slow speed (about 2). 

Gradually increase speed as mixture thickens, making sure that it doesn't go so fast that the liquid comes out of the bowl.

Bring to a trace. (This batch took about 35 minutes to get to trace). It's "at trace" when a little bit of soap mixture drizzled across the surface of the remaining soap leaves a trace behind before sinking in.

Once at trace, add the essential oils and flowers.

Place into mold. Cover with a heating blanket for one day. Then leave solution to harden in a dark place for 1 to 2 weeks.