This is another easy one-fat homemade soap recipe, this time made with an animal fat: lard. Lard soap is very moisturizing, makes a good hard bar, and has light foam.Difficulty: EasyWeight: 225g (7,93 oz)Superfat: 5%Lye Concentration: 30%
Watch the video above about "Cold Process Soap Making Tutorial" or read the post Learn To Make Cold Process Soap for instructions on cold process soap making before starting. These are generic but important steps for all recipes.
Assemble everything: ingredients, equipment, safety equipment. Prepare your workstations. Measure all the ingredients. Don’t start the recipe without having everything ready!
The essential oil is optional. It adds scent to your soap. You can choose the one from the recipe or another like lavender, peppermint, litsea cubeba. You can also choose a fragrance oil. But do not exceed the 13 ml limit.
Heat the Oils
Melt the lard as it remains solid at room temperature.
Make the Lye Water
Make the lye solution according to How To Make Lye Water. Mix it until the vapors start to dissipate.
Make the Soap Batter
Use as target temperature 45ºC for the oil-solution mixture. If necessary, heat the lard a little.
Reach trace with the immersion blender.
Add the extract and essential oil after tracing. Mix with a spoon.
Molding and Curing
Pour the dough in the molds with a pitcher and sprinkle with alcohol or witch hazel. You can put in pre-heated oven for gel phase.
Let it set for 48 hours.
Unmold and let the bars cure for 4 to 6 weeks. See How To Cure Soap.