This recipe begins with a water infusion made from fresh elderflower blossoms and a slice of lemon. I used two clusters of flowers, added a slice of lemon, and poured over boiling water. Once the infusion had cooled, I covered it with a lid and left it to rest in the fridge for a few days. During this time, I noticed the colour gradually changed as the botanicals infused into the water.
This step can easily be skipped if you prefer a simple elderflower infusion. However, if you like experimenting and observing how different botanical elements interact and influence colour, adding a slice of lemon makes the process even more interesting.
Elderflower & Lemon Soap recipe
This 450g cold process soap batch is made with an elderflower and lemon water infusion, combined with olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and sweet almond oil to create a gentle, conditioning, and cleansing bar with a creamy lather.A blend of may chang, lemon, and ylang ylang essential oils gives this soap a fresh, uplifting floral-citrus aroma. No added colourants have been used, allowing the natural tones of the ingredients to shine through.Superfat: 5%Water as percent of oil weight: 33%
moderate-
Prep time: 40 minutes -
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
| Lye Water | |
|---|---|
| Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) 63g | |
| Water Infusion (Elderflower & Lemon) 126 | |
| Oils | |
| Coconut Oil 135g | |
| Olive Oil 90g | |
| Shea Butter 135g | |
| Almond Oil 90g | |
| Add after trace | |
| May Chang: 8.5g | |
| Lemon: 6g | |
| Ylang- ylang: 2g | |
Utensils
- -Digital Scale
-Small Pot suitable to hold the amount of soap batter
-Stick Blender
-Measuring Spoons
-A little container to weight essential oils
-Digital Thermometer
-Silicone Spatulas
-Soap Molds
-Stainless Steel Spoon
-Towels or Blankets - Safety Equipment
- 1. Gloves
2. Goggles
3. Face Mask
Steps of preparation
- Set up your workstation. With all equipment ready and ingredients pre-measured into containers. Wear long sleeves preferable. Check this section, so you know the equipment you need, including the safety wear.
- Put on protective gear.
Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles. - Handle the lye carefully.
Be careful when handling lye (sodium hydroxide). Never touch it with bare hands or handle it without goggles. Put on your face mask.
Carefully and slowly pour the lye into the water (NEVER pour water into the lye). Scrape any lye stuck at the bottom of your plastic container and stir gently with a spoon.
Leave the solution aside, preferably near a window, and monitor the temperature with a digital
thermometer.
- Melt the oils.
Place the coconut oil and shea butter in a pan, then add the olive oil and the sweet almond oil. Melt the solid oils over low heat. Stay with the pan and remove it from the heat source as soon as everything is melted. You can remove it when the temperature is about 140 °F .
- Mix at the correct temperature.
Check the temperature of both the lye solution and the oils. The ideal mixing temperature is between 100°F and 110°F (with the lye preferably on the lower side). But it can be any temperature, always under 130 °F. If you need to cool down the oil or the lye solution put over a basin with water an ice cubes or fill the sink with little bit of water.
When both are within range, pour the lye solution(using a little cif if possible, to catch any chunks of lye) into the oils slowly. Stir first with a spatula, then use a hand blender. Blend for a few minutes cuntil you reach trace (it’s a trial of the surface or the soap batter), and then add the essential oils. You would see a trial over your batter when you lift your hand blender.
The mixture should have the consistency of warm custard, not too thick and not too runny. If it becomes too thick, it can be difficult to pour smoothly into the mould. If it is too runny, it may take longer to set and harden. - Pour and insulate.
Once you have the right consistency, pour the soap into the mold and insulate by covering it with a towel, if you are using silicon molds you can cover it with baking paper, and a towel over them. This helps with colour development, easier unmolding, and proper hardening. You can either a milk carton or any other soap molds you might have as well.
- Let the soap set for 48 hours , unmold and cut it with a knife, if necessary or any other cutter you have.
- Let it cure in a shelf or rack away from the sunlight from 6 weeks, as this recipe, contains a good amoutn of liquid oils, it is good to let it cure for a least 6 weeks before using it. This will make the soap harder and better quality. After this period you can use and enjoy your soap
Leave a Reply