Ugly as...

Homemade Soap!

I made this yummy hot process soap in my crock pot the other day! Here's one place with a tutorial. There are also many, many more links with tutorials, just google "crock pot soap" for detailed instructions by many individuals. I attended a class by a local homeschool mom, where I got the information I used to make mine.

Here's the recipe I made up and used. I used the lye calculator at Majestic Mountain Sage so that I had the precise measurements. Here's a direct link to the calculator.
Amy's Almost Castile Soap

Amys Almost Castile Soap Created by Amy Harrett	Service provided by Majestic Mountain Sage http://www.thesage.com © 1996-2010 Majestic Mountain Sage, All Rights Reserved
Liquids WATER For the size of fat batch that you are using, we recommend that you use approximately 7 to 10 fluid ounces of liquid. WARNING: Always add your solid form lye, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, to the liquid. If the liquid were added to the solid form lye a violent reaction could result. This means you could have a "volcano" erupt out of your container.	Fats & Oils Fat Amount (oz wt) % in recipe Coconut Oil 7 25.00 Olive Oil 21 75.00 Total Weight 28	Lye Table (NaOH) % excess fat Lye Amount (oz wt) 0 4.13 1 4.09 2 4.05 3 4.01 4 3.97 5 3.93 6 3.88 7 3.84 8 3.80 9 3.76 10 3.72
0% to 4% excess fat range: Proceed with caution! We do not recommend this unless actual saponification values are known and used. 5% to 8% excess fat range: This is the range we use most often. 9% to 10% excess fat range: Creates a softer soap because of the amount of excess fat. DISCLAIMER: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained here is accurate. However due to differing conditions, tools, and individual skills we cannot guarantee the information is applicable in your situation. We are not responsible for any injuries, losses, or other damages that may result from the use this information available here.
Always wear protective goggles, gloves and other safety clothing when handling sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Refer to the appropriate MSDS for complete details.
Basic Soapmaking Instructions While wearing safety goggles and neoprene gloves, combine solid lye and liquid, stir well. Set aside and allow to cool (100° F to 125° F). This is best done outside while you are standing upwind. Combine oils and heat gently. Once the fats and oils are melted allow the temperature to drop to 100° F to 125° F. Combine lye solution and melted oils. Be careful not to splash while combining the mixtures. Stir until the mixture traces. If tracing takes more than 15 minutes, which it often does, stir for the first 15 minutes, then stir for 5 minutes at 15 minute intervals. Tracing looks like a slightly thickened custard, not instant pudding but a cooked custard. It will support a drop, or your stir marks for several seconds. Once tracing occurs... Pour raw soap into your prepared molds. After a few days the soap can be turned out of the mold. If the soap is very soft, allow it to cure for a few days to firm the outside. Cut soap into bars and set the bars out to cure and dry. This will allow the bar to firm and finish saponification. Place the bars on something that will allow them to breathe.

This was a small batch. At our class, the batch done was twice this size, but I wanted to use the oils I had on hand, and didn't have enough to do a larger batch. I got 12 nice size bars from my batch.

I also added essential oils of Rosemary and Spearmint. I didn't measure these, I just added them until I got the strength of scent I liked, stirring them into the soap well, before putting soap in the mold.
I really don't think my soap is ugly, I just LOVE it! Have fun making your own!