Making your own liquid soap from leftover bar soap is easy, and can prevent wastage. However, if you want to make fancy soap, make a liquid soap using a mixture of lye and leftover soap. Once you know the basics of making liquid soap, you can even experiment with ingredients and combinations yourself!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making Regular Liquid Soap
Step 1. Prepare about 250-300 grams of soap
It's a good idea to use unscented soap so you can add your own scent. If you choose a scented soap, make sure all the soaps you use have the same scent. If not, you can get soap with a combination of smells that smells weird.
- If you still want to combine several different scents, make sure the scent is suitable to combine, such as lemon with lavender.
- Do not use soap with added moisturizer. This type of soap is usually difficult to handle.
Step 2. Grate the soap into small flakes
How to do it is up to you. If you don't mind going a bit hard, use a cheese grater. You can also use a blender or food processor (food processor); most importantly, you must first crush the soap into small flakes.
Step 3. Heat 4 liters of water
Put the water in a large saucepan and place it on the stove. Next, turn on the stove over medium or high heat until the water starts to boil.
The best ingredient is distilled water. If you're using filtered water, bring the water to a boil first, then allow it to come to a moderately hot temperature
Step 4. Put the soap flakes in the water
Keep stirring the mixture until the soap dissolves. The length of time it takes depends on the size of the soap flakes. The smaller the flakes, the faster the soap will dissolve in the water.
Step 5. Add glycerin if you are not using castile (olive oil based) soap or handmade soap
Castile and handmade soaps that are processed naturally (either cold or hot) already contain glycerin. The soap you buy at the store does not contain glycerin. If using regular soap, add 2 tbsp. (30 ml) glycerin and mix well.
Step 6. Let the soapy water mixture sit for 12-24 hours
During this time, the soapy water will thicken. If possible, stir the soapy water mixture frequently.
Don't worry if the soap starts to blur after a few hours have passed. This is normal
Step 7. Stir in the soap the next morning, if necessary
After 12-24 hours have passed, the soap may thicken. You can mix it with a whisk, hand blender, or sit-down mixer.
- You just need to stir it for a few seconds-just to make it melt a little.
- If the soap is too thick, add water and mix again.
Step 8. Add any essential oil or extract you want
Add only a few drops at first, then add more if necessary. Some good options include min, lavender, and rosemary. Remember, essential oils are much more concentrated than extracts. So, don't overuse it.
Skip this step if you're using a scented soap
Step 9. Pour the soap into a squeeze bottle
Insert the funnel into the hole in the squeeze bottle, then pour the soap mixture into it. If there is still soap left, pour the soap into another container for later use. If possible, use a glass container. If not, use a good quality plastic container.
Method 2 of 2: Making Luxurious Liquid Soap
Step 1. Add potassium hydroxide to the water
Put 800 ml of water (preferably distilled water) in a glass container. Add 260 grams of potassium hydroxide. The two ingredients will fizz when mixed.
Potassium hydroxide has caustic (flammable) properties. Do this in a well-ventilated area, and wear safety glasses and protective gloves
Step 2. Put the soap and all the oil in a crock pot (a type of slow cooker)
You need 60 grams of African black soap. You'll also need 300 ml of coconut oil, 300 ml of olive oil, 250 ml of avocado oil, 250 ml of safflower oil, and 180 ml of castor oil.
Step 3. Heat the oil until it melts, then mix all the ingredients
Turn on the crock pot over medium heat, and let the oil melt. African black soap will not melt. After all the oil is well blended, mix all the ingredients using a hand blender.
Step 4. Add the potassium hydroxide solution and stir again
Carefully place the potassium hydroxide solution into the crock pot. Mix all ingredients using a hand blender until the mixture becomes thick. Keep stirring everything until the solution becomes smooth.
Step 5. Let the mixture continue to cook over medium heat until most of the soap is dissolved
When the solution is cooked, the African black soap will dissolve and float to the surface. At this time, the solution may be fragmented. If this happens, stir the solution until well mixed again.
Step 6. Finish cooking the soap
It will take you approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to complete. Stir the mixture after 45 minutes have passed, then stir again 15 minutes later.
Step 7. Test the soap to see if it is clear and finished
Use a spoon to scoop out a small amount of soap. Place the soap in a cup of hot water and let it dissolve. If the soapy water is clear, it means the process is complete. If not, you'll need to let it cool a little longer.
Step 8. Dilute the soap with boiling water
Boil about 1.2 liters of water. This is to purify the water and prevent the pot from breaking. Pour water into a saucepan, then stir until evenly distributed.
Step 9. Cook the soap on a low or warm setting for 2-3 hours, then add water
Stir the soap occasionally while it's heating. Add 600 ml of boiling water and stir. Warm the soap for another 2-3 hours, then add the last 600 ml of hot water.
Step 10. Add essential oil, if desired
Add about 2% essential oil to the total volume of the soap. Remember, some essential oils (such as lavender) make the soap thicker. Other types (such as lemons) can make the soap thinner.
Use a soap calculator to figure out the exact amount of essential oil to use
Step 11. Pour the soap into a squeeze bottle using a funnel
Some parts of African black soap may settle. If this is bothersome enough, place a piece of muslin (a type of plain cotton cloth) in the funnel to filter the soap.
Tips
- This recipe will make a lot of soap. If you think it's too much, divide the recipe into two parts.
- You can use essential oils or special perfumes for soap.
- Color the soap by adding soap coloring agents. This is perfect if the soap base is white.
- Try using a glass squeeze bottle (if possible). If not, use a good quality plastic bottle. Essential oils will wear away cheap plastic over time.
