Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the room is warm, maybe longer; if cool, maybe a bit less time. Your environment de-
termines to some degree the speed of all of these steps. When recording your activities,
record the room temperature and the outside temperature. Both will affect the final out
come.
(2) When the lye water has all been added and the oil and lye water are well mixed, and
there's no sign of the water as you stir, slowly stir in the pigment. Mix slowly but con-
stantly until the pigment is as mixed in as you want it
After only a few minutes, the lye-oil and pigment mixture will begin to thicken. It
takes on a pudding-like consistency. Also, the mix will sheet off your mixing utensil
when you lift it out.
The most important thing to watch for is as you stir, you will see a slight, grooved
trail on the surface in the wake of the spoon: This is a key point, called the
trace stage
.
Watch for it carefully.
Just when this occurs, add your fragrance. You want the mix as cool as possible so
that the fragrance volatilizes very little. Stir well so it is completely mixed in.
(3) Make certain your molds are level and on a solid surface. Pour your liquid soap mix
into the mold until completely full
Leave for twenty-four hours and turn over again, supporting the mix and mold with
the board. The mold should now be upside down with the soap resting on the board.
Remove the mold. Support both sides of the soap with a board, covered if necessary.
Turn again in twenty-four hours, and again in another twenty-four hours. After that the
soap should be solid and you can turn it out onto a cutting surface. Cut to size. Place on
curing rack or board uncovered and let cure for at least thirty days. Individual bars will
shrink during the curing. When cured, label or wrap for use or sale.
