This soap is my favorite out of all the kinds I have made! Soap making is so much fun, and I am so glad I started it!
I love lemon, and I wanted to make a lemon scented soap. Lemon is such a clean smell to me! I thought peppermint would go well with it, and it does, plus it makes pretty flecks in the soap!
Homemade Lemon Mint Soap
6 ounces coconut oil
4 ounces grape seed oil
8 ounces pomace olive oil
6 ounces palm kernel oil
4 ounces cocoa butter
4.08 ounces lye
10.64 ounces distilled water
1/4 cup dried peppermint
1/2 ounce lemon fragrance oil (I used this lemon cake fragrance oil – smells just like lemon cake!)
1/2 ounce lemon essential oil
First, combine all the oils/butters in a pan on low heat on the stove to melt. (Coconut oil, grape seed oil, olive oil, palm kernel oil, and cocoa butter). Continue stirring over low heat until everything is melted and liquid.
In a heatproof container, add the water. Measure out the lye in a separate container. In a place with good ventilation, slowly add the lye to the water. (I go outside to do this). And always wear protection! I wear goggles, heavy duty gloves, and a mask!
As you add the lye, stir to combine. It will be HOT!
Let both the oils and the water/lye mixture cool down to about 100 – 110 degrees F.
Meanwhile, combine the peppermint, fragrance oil, and essential oils in a small bowl.
When both the oils and water/lye mixture are the same temperature, add the lye into the oil mixture. Using a stick blender, blend until it comes together and looks the consistency of pudding.
I do this on the floor!
This is when it is super important to wear protective gear – all of it!! As you mix the soap, it will change in color and become thicker.
Add in the fragrances. You can use all essential oil if you want, instead of using the fragrance oil. I just like the combination of both! You can use less or more of the lemon oils – adjust to your preference!
Pour into the mold of your choice. I used an old silicone bread pan.
Wrap with towels to insulate the soap, and let it sit 24-48 hours to firm up.
Next, you can cut into bars! Since this soap is cold processed, it will need about 4-6 weeks before you can use it. The lye at this point is still caustic, and will hurt if you start using it to wash your hands!
I sent some of this soap to my mother-in-law as a (late) Christmas present.
She loved it! The rest of it I am saving for us to use, or to give away as presents later!
Check out my other soap recipes on my Herbal Remedies page.
This is being shared with the Homestead Barn Hop and Natural Living Monday..
Oh my goodness – I want to go home and shower with this now! Just the idea of it is so refreshing… But have to tell you Jane that when I read the headline, I thought it said “lemon mint soup” and I also thought that would be refreshing… Perhaps more for summer though?
Soap making is serious business!! You look cute in your glasses
Have a great weekend.
Rhonda recently posted..Super Bowl Leftovers
Hi Jane. I wish I had “smell o blog” so I could smell the soap. And you look adorable in your safety goggles. Have a terrific weekend.
Roz@weightingfor50 recently posted..Gettin’ on the goal train
Wow, didn’t know the process put into making the soap.
But… it sounds so GOOD!
Deanna recently posted..Quietly thinking this morning ~and~ me, a hermit?
It really is so much fun to make soap! I won’t have to buy soap for a very long time! Plus, it makes a great gift!
Very cool! Making soap is on my bucket list, too, but I don’t know if I could be as brave as you and use the lye! Looks like you are very appropriately cautious. For now I just buy soap when our town’s annual street fair comes around, there are always a number of folks who make and sell it. I don’t use anything with a fragrance base, and usually not even with essential oils, just plain soaps like coconut or oatmeal varieties. Right now I’m using a bar of carrot soap!
Mary @ Fit and Fed recently posted..Vegan goat cheese
Very fun! You can also buy the melt and pour base for soaps, and make whatever shapes you want so you don’t have to deal with the lye. I just love the process of making soap!
I did not know how much work and effort it took into making soap! I bet it smells really nice, I love the smell of peppermint and lemon.
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I swear you are the most crafty girl I know! Can I come hang out with you and learn your ways??
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