How to Make Oatmeal Soap

Making your own soap at home is an art and can be an enjoyable hobby. Homemade oatmeal soap makes a wonderful gift, or keep it for yourself. No other soap will ever feel as clean and satisfying to use. This recipe will make 3 full size bars of home made oatmeal soap.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 Cup Coconut Oil or Shortening
• 1 teaspoon borax (brand name boraxo)
• 5 teaspoons lye
• 1/2 Cup cold water
• 1/4 Cup oatmeal
• Glass Pitcher
• Wooden Spoon
• Candy Thermometer
• Soap Molds

1. In a steel pot, heat the coconut oil to 85 degrees. Use a candy thermometer to measure the temperature accurately. Add the borax. Stir to mix well.

2. Allow the oil to cool to 75 degrees. While the oil is cooling, mix the lye with the cold water. A wooden spoon and a glass container should be used for mixing this solution. When the oil reaches 85 degrees add the lye and water mixture to the oil. Pour very slowly and stir constantly. Be extremely cautious when pouring lye. Do not allow it to touch the skin. Wear eye protection whenever your are working with lye in a homemade soap recipe. Work in a well ventilated area. In the event that you do get lye on your skin apply white vinegar immediately.

3. Keep stirring the mixture constantly for 15 minutes. The home made soap mixture should become thicker as it cools. After 15 minutes has passed add the oatmeal.

4. Pour the soap mixture into soap molds and allow it to rest for 24 hours before removing from the soap molds.

Tips & Warnings

• If the mixture fails to thicken properly, place it in a sink full of cool water and stir continuously until it begins to thicken.

[heatherschulte]

on 2/12/2009 I have been wanting to try this!