How to Make a Shampoo-Based Bar Soap
Making shampoo-bars is a fun project that even beginning soap-makers can manage. The idea is simple -- a bar which is essentially a solid form of shampoo. This makes a fantastic alternative to carrying bottles when traveling, especially because bars can go in your carry-on luggage without getting flagged by security officials. When you make the bars at home, you can customize shape, size and fragrance to make a natural shampoo-soap that suits your taste.
Things You'll Need
- 12 oz. coconut oil
- 19 oz. mid-grade olive oil -- not virgin or pomace
- 12 oz. castor oil
- 6 oz. lye
- 16 oz. distilled water
- 1/2 oz. essential oil of your choice
- Soap mold
- Plastic wrap
- Petroleum jelly
Instructions
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1
Mix the lye into the water very carefully. Never attempt to reverse the mixing process and add water to the lye. Make sure the lye dissolves completely.
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2
Heat the oils in a saucepan or crock-pot at approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Slowly and carefully mix in your water and lye mixture and stir.
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3
Add your essential oil to the warm mixture, stirring completely. Then allow everything to cook slowly for one hour, stirring occasionally.
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4
Pour the cooled mixture into the mold of your choice lined with either plastic wrap or petroleum jelly.
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5
Insulate your mold by wrapping it in anything that will keep it warm, such as styrofoam wrap, a large thermo-insulated bag or contatiner or even towels, for 24 hours. Then allow it to sit for four to five days, until it is solid enough to remove and handle. Shampoo-soap has a soft texture. Allow your bars to sit for several weeks more if you want them to harden.
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Tips & Warnings
This recipe produces four lbs. of shampoo soap.
Lye is caustic and will burn anything that it touches. Use gloves, goggles and an apron when handling lye.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit natural soaps 3 image by samantha grandy from Fotolia.com
