A traditional Syrian soap is made with olive oil and fruit oil.It works well to soothe sensitive skin, and is made with all natural ingredients.It is possible to make Aleppo soap at home.You only have to mix the oils with a lye solution at the right temperature, pour the liquid soap into molds, and allow it to cure for several weeks before using.The process is easy, but it can be dangerous if you don't follow proper precautions.
Step 1: You should put on your safety gear.
lye can burn the skin on contact and make soap difficult to make.Gloves and safety goggles are required before you begin mixing up soap.It is a good idea to wear a long-sleeved shirt to protect your arms.Children should not be allowed to help you make soap.
Step 2: Take the water out of the container.
It is important to weigh the ingredients when making soap.Check the weight of distilled water on a digital kitchen scale by pouring it into a heatproof container.
Step 3: Add the lye to the water.
Put 0.65 oz (0 g) ounces of lye into a separate container and place it on the kitchen scale to make sure it weighs 18.4 g.Carefully pour the lye into the water.Make sure that the lye you are using is labeled.You can find it in the drain cleaning section of some hardware stores, but online retailers sell soap making supplies.
Step 4: Put the water and lye in a container.
When you add the lye to the water, use a spatula to mix it together.When the lye is completely dissolved, continue stirring.It is best to work next to an open window because the mixture will get very warm and give off fumes quickly.You can mix the water and lye in the kitchen sink.If there are splashes or spills, they will be easier to clean up.
Step 5: The mixture should be cooled in a safe place.
After the solution has warmed up, place it in a secure location.Allow the mixture to cool down for 30 to 40 minutes, so it reaches a temperature between 100 to 120 F.Make sure the mixture is out of reach of children and pets.It is a good idea to label the container so no one touches or tries to drink it.If you want to know the temperature of the mixture, you can use a digital kitchen thermometer.
Step 6: Add the oils to the boiler.
Make sure that the extra virgin olive oil weighs at least 113.4 grams by pouring it into a medium bowl.If you add 28 g of fruit oil to the bowl, you'll get an extra 28.4 g on the scale.The boiler is on the stove.It's important to use fruit oil, not essential oil.Many online retailers sell berry fruit oil, which is difficult to find.
Step 7: The oils should be heated gently until they reach 100 F.
The oils will warm up if the burner is turned on to low heat.The oils should reach the right temperature in about 7 minutes.
Step 8: The double boiler has oils on it.
Lift the bowl out of the double boiler once the oils have reached the proper temperature.Place it on a heatproof surface.If there is a chance of spills or splashes, place the bowl on the trivet in the sink.
Step 9: Put the solution into the oils and blend.
When the solution reaches the right temperature, add it to the oils.When you lift the spoon out of the solution, it leaves a trace on the surface, which is known as trace.If you want to mix the soap until it reaches traces, you can use an immersion blender.
Step 10: The soap mixture should be put in the mold.
The recipe makes 10 ounces of soap.The number of molds you need depends on how large they are.Use a spatula to smooth the soap in place.There are online retailers that sell soapmaking supplies.You can slice individual bars from a small mold or a large mold that makes a long bar, depending on your preference.Silicone baking molds can be used if you don't have soap molds.
Step 11: Parchment paper and cardboard should be used to cover the molds.
Set a piece of paper over each mold to help insulate the soap as it dries.To trap the heat, lay a sheet of cardboard over the paper.You can use the molds instead of the paper and cardboard if you have a lid on them.If the area you are working in is cold, you may want to insulate it with a blanket or towel.
Step 12: The soap should be put in the mod for a couple of days.
The soap should be in the mold for at least 24 hours.It can take up to 48 hours for the soap to set in a humid location.
Step 13: For several weeks, cure the soap from the molds.
Carefully unmold the soap when it's fully set.You can cut the soap into bars if you use a larger mold.Because of the high amount of olive oil in the soap, it needs to sit out exposed to the air for at least 6 to 8 weeks before you can use it.The water in the soap becomes harder to evaporate when Curing it.It helps the soap not irritate the skin when you use it.It can be even better if the soap is allowed to cure for 6 months to a year.