Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Palm Free Soap Recipe and Ramblings.. I'm Back :)

Ok...

So I know I have been MIA for a bit. I have graduated from school and have since been working a full time job. Unfortunately life has gotten in the way of my soaping. It really sucks when that happens but it is what it is. In a dream world I wouldn't have to go to work and I would soap everyday. 

I know, I know... now you are saying, "Why don't you just sell your soap so you CAN make soap everyday?"
Well.. here is the thing.. I make soap to relax and have fun. If I screw up a batch of soap it's not that big of a deal because it's just for fun and I am learning what works and what doesn't. 
If I decide to sell my soap it will no longer be something to relax with. It will become a JOB. Because I know me, I know it will lose it's appeal when I make soap because I HAVE to instead of because I WANT to. 

Don't get me wrong. Many people make soap for a living and have a blast at it. They love making tons of soap and going to the farmers markets to sell their wares. They love to do YouTube videos to get fans and to get people to go to their website to buy their soap. I am in awe of all of those who can make a business of it. I can only speak for myself because I know myself. I will be all crazy trying to make the "perfect" soap (as if I'm not already).  There is a ton of competition. It seems like everyone is making soap now. I will lose tons of sleep wondering if my soap will sell.

So. That my friends is the reason I do not sell soap... today :)

On to the Palm Free Soap Recipe I promised...

This batch is for one pound of soap. I have these really cute little silicone molds that make 5 perfect size bars. I will give percentages for those who need a bigger batch. Hope you enjoy. Oh, always remember to run your recipe through a lye calculator if you change any of the ingredients. 

Coconut Oil, 76 degree - 4 ounces - 25%
Cocoa Butter - 2 ounces - 12.5%
Olive Oil - 8 ounces - 50%
Castor Oil - 1 ounce - 6.25 %
Shea Butter - 1 ounce - 6.25%

Distilled Water - 6 ounces
Lye - 2.2 ounces

This is calculated at 5% superfat.

1 ounce FO - I used Rainbow Sherbet from Natures Garden (love it!!)

I used full water on this recipe because I wanted to split my batch up into 3 colors and do a pretty swirl. This recipe was slow to trace so it worked great for what I wanted to do. You can discount the water if you want it to thicken up faster.

I covered my soap with plastic wrap and put it in my preheated oven at 170 F and then turned the oven off and left it to sit (no peeking). I like to force gel. Just my own preference. I have found when I use silicone it is better to not keep the oven on because it starts to bubble around the edges because it gets too hot and it leaves ugly air bubble marks all around the soap.
After 24 hours it was still pretty soft so I gave it another day. It was still lye reactive to my tongue test. Like I said, very slow moving recipe. After 48 hours it was ready to come out of the mold and cut.
It has been sitting on the drying rack for a few days and it looks great. 

A note about the FO. It did not rice, excel, or discolor my soap and it smells wonderful!

I will put up some pictures as soon as the battery charges on my camera. So, the camera didn't want to cooperate. I guess it's time for a new one. So I took this pic with my camera phone. Notice I don't clean up my soaps much because they are for personal use. I don't bevel the edges or cut off anything. I use it all.. lol




I have another palm free recipe I am going to try. I will let you all know how it goes :)

6 comments:

  1. Glad to see you back blogging, Kim! I know how busy life can get sometimes. And congrats on graduating! I totally know what you mean about choosing not to sell. I used to sell my soaps a couple of years ago, but stopped when I realized that running a business was sucking the joy out of soaping. I'm a perfectionist, too, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to be flawless, which I'm not, of course. I enjoy soaping a lot more now that I can relax and be free to make mistakes. (And not have to keep up with all of that paperwork!) I can't wait to see your swirly soap! And thanks for sharing your recipe - I've been wanting to try some palm-free recipes myself.

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    1. Thanks Jenny! I really wanted to share with you all the few palm free vegan soap recipes I have been experimenting with. Not all have been a success. Most have went from fluid to a brick so fast that I barely had time to get them into the mold. Others were pure mush. I just keep tweeking and tweeking so I can have a couple of versions and see how they cure out and how they last in the shower.
      I'm glad somebody understands my need to keep soap making relaxing and joyful :)
      Let me know what you think of the soap if you try the recipe :)

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  2. Welcome back, Kim! I know there are not many persons thinking like me and you, but I have to say that I have the same philosophy when it comes to selling my soap. You know why: because I feel grateful to have discovered this natural way of taking care of myself, because making soaps made me see what natural and non-natural is, because I stopped using all this 'great comercial stuff' I used to put on my skin ... and I think that is priceless. And that's why I enjoy making soaps, and I am lucky to have discovered this hobby! :)
    Can't wait to see you soap, especially because you made a pretty swirl! And thanks for sharing your recipe!

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    1. Thanks Natalia!! You are so right. Here is the pic I promised. Isn't this a great hobby?? :)

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  3. Welcome back, and congrats on graduating! I'm not really sure what I want to do yet, so in the meantime, I'll just keep making soap and having fun with it. Pretty soap...love those colors together. :)

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  4. Thank you Kalla! You make such yummy soaps! I haven't got the hang of soaping with food yet. You are an inspiration :)

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