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Cold process dish soap for effective and eco-friendly dishwashing.

Cold Process Dish Soap

Create your own eco-friendly and gentle dish soap with this simple cold process recipe, perfect for sensitive skin and effective at cutting through grease.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 3 days
Servings: 10 bars
Course: Cleaning Supplies
Cuisine: Homemade
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Lye Solution
  • 4.22 oz Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) Crucial for the saponification process.
  • 9.44 oz Water Used to dissolve the lye.
Oils
  • 22.85 oz Coconut Oil Provides cleansing properties.
  • 1.15 oz Castor Oil Add moisturizing benefits and richer lather.
Finishing Touch
  • to taste Isopropyl Alcohol Used to prevent soda ash during curing.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a heat-proof container, carefully add the lye to the water, stirring gently until fully dissolved. Set aside to cool.
  2. In a double boiler, melt the coconut oil and castor oil together. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Once both the lye solution and oils are around 100–115 degrees F, slowly pour the lye solution into the oils and blend with an immersion blender until medium trace is achieved.
  4. Pour the soap batter into a mold and smooth the top with a spatula.
  5. Mist the surface with isopropyl alcohol to prevent soda ash.
  6. Let the soap set for about 3 days, then unmold and cut into bars.
  7. Allow the soap bars to cure for about 6 weeks in a cool and dry place.

Notes

Feel free to add essential oils for fragrance. Store soap in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight. For a vegan option, substitute with oils like olive oil.