Expert: Terry Knorr - 4/21/2006

Question
I ask you about the industry of the soap
Pleas sent to me how I make soap with An olive oil
The amounts from olive oil and the caustic soda and the ascription of the perfume  

Answer
Hi!

There are two basic methods for making soap:  hot process, and cold process.  I prefer the cold process and will give information related to it. There are many variations of each process; I will tell how I make soap.

The first step, obviously, is to formulate the soap.  You asked for a formula using olive oil and "caustic soda".  I'll assume that by caustic soda, you mean sodium hydroxide.  

There are three ingredients required in soap making:  fats/oils, a metal hydroxide (such as sodium hydroxide), and water.  I use distilled water to ensure more consistant results.  I recommend planning on a minimum of at least 2% excess fat to protect yourself from error in measurement.  Multiply the weight of the olive oil in ounces by 0.131.  This gives you the weight of sodium hydroxide needed (in ounces).  Multiply the weight of olive oil in ounces by 0.38.  This gives you the weight of water in ounces.  This gives you your formula for the soap.

Heat the olive oil to 90 degrees F.  While the olive oil is heating, pour the water into the sodium hydroxide I use a flake or pelleted form of sodium hydroxide.  (Be certain that you do not pour the sodium hydroxide into the water as this could produce a very violent reaction.)  This will generate a large amount of heat and the liquid must be cooled to 90 degrees F. When both the oil and the sodium hydroxide solution are at 90 degrees F, pour the sodium hydroxide solution carefully into the oil.  (If at any point you get the sodium  hydroxide on yourself, immediately wash the area with vinegar and then soapy water.)  

Stir the sodium hydroxide/olive oil mixture until it reaches a consistancy similar to pudding.  When you drizzle a small amount of the mixture back into the pot, it should leave a trail on top of the mixture.  This is called a "trace".  At this point, you can add your scent. Add enough scent to ensure that it will not dissipate too quickly from the soap.  I use 1 ounce of essential oil for every pound of soap.  

After mixing the scent in for about 5 minutes, pour the mixture into your mold.  I use a large mold and then cut bars from it.  After putting the soap mixture into the mold, cover the mold with towels.  This helps to maintain the heat which is necessary for proper/complete chemical reaction.  

After 24 to 48 hours, the soap should be about the same consistancy as cheese.  It is ready to take out of the mold and to cut into bars.  These bars must, then, be given about 30 days to cure.  I place them on a screen so air can circulate all the way around the bars.  

After the 30 day curing period, wash your hands with a bar.  If you do not notice any stinging, then the bars are ready to use.  If your hands do feel any stinging when you wash them, give the soap another 15 days to cure and try again.

Now, concering utensils.  You will want to use only heat and chemical resistant items.  All my pots, spoons, and other utensils are stainless steel.  My molds are all wood which I line with plastic.  I also recommend wearing safty goggles to protect your eyes.

I hope this helps.  If I can be of further assistance, feel free to contact me.  I realize that the information I've given you is somewhat sketchy and brief.  An excellent book on the subject is called The Soapmakers Companion, written by Susan Miller Cavitch.  This book is published by Storey Publishing.  I do not have the address or phone number, but I know that they are on the internet.  This is the book I go to most often when I have a question.

Good luck with your adventure!

Terry