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Homemade lavender rosemary soap bars stacked. #TexasHomesteader

3-Oil Lavender/Rosemary Cold-Process Soap

(2-Lb Recipe, about 9 small bars)

This easy recipe uses only common oils found in any grocery store.  The soap lather's beautifully and smells wonderful.

IMPORTANT!! Read all precautions before beginning! Dealing with caustic lye requires safety equipment. Do not attempt to make soap with children or pets around!

Author www.TexasHomesteader.com

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 9.4 oz Vegetable Shortening (ie: Crisco)
  • 6 oz Olive Oil (mid-grade is fine & even preferable)
  • 6 oz Coconut Oil
  • 7 oz Mint-Infused Rainwater
  • 3 oz Sodium Hydroxide Lye Crystals
  • 0.9 oz Rosemary Essential Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Dried, Pulverized Lavender Blooms (it's ok to measure this ingredient by volume)
  • 1 Tablespoon Dried, Pulverized Rosemary Leaves (it's ok to measure this ingredient by volume)

Instructions

Directions:

(read precautions above first)

  1. Mix lye solution by measuring the water first, then sprinkling the measured lye crystals on top of the water. Stir with silicone spoon until the lye is completely dissolved. Mixture will heat up, so allow to cool to about 100 - 110 degrees.
  2. In the meantime measure liquid olive oil and add it to the measured shortening & coconut oil. Pour all into a porcelain-lined pot and heat to 110 - 100 degrees. (or use a large glass measuring cup & heat in a microwave)
  3. When the oils and the lye water are both between 100 - 110 degrees, carefully pour the lye water into the melted oils & gently stir with a non-metal spoon to get everything blended.
  4. Continue stirring until mixture reaches 'trace'.
  5. At trace, add measured essential oils and dried lavender & rosemary, giving everything a final stir to get it all blended.
  6. Pour raw soap into 8.5" x 8.5" x 1.5" deep soap mold, top with a piece of plastic wrap & then cover everything with thick towels. Leave undisturbed for 24-48 hours
  7. Carefully remove soap from mold and place soap block on a wire rack to air dry for another 24-48 hours.
  8. After this time, cut into 9 bars and place bars on a wire rack exposed to the air to fully cure for at least 6 weeks. The longer you cure the soap the harder the bar will be & the longer it'll last in the shower.

Recipe Notes

IMPORTANT!!  Read all cautions first!  Dealing with caustic lye requires safety equipment.  Do not attempt to make soap with children or pets around!