Title: Translucent Glycerin Soap
Categories: Soap *
Yield: 1 Batch

34	g	Potassium hydroxide, flake or pellet
71	g	Distilled water

107 2/3 g Coconut oil, not -hydrogenated 22 g Castor oil 74 g Distilled water 22 g Vegetable glycerin 1/2 ts Pure essential oil or -fragrance oil, optional

1. Dissolve the potassium hydroxide into the 71 g water and set aside to cool to between 80øF and 100øF.

2. When the potassium hydroxide solution has cooled sufficiently, heat the coconut and castor oils and the 74 g of water together in a heavy-bottomed saucepan to 180øF.

3. Place the pan back of the burner at a setting of medium-low and continue to stir slowly and gently until soap begins to form. By the time the soap reaches 180øF, the mixture should be thickening slightly. At this temperature, add the 160øF to 180øF vegetable glycerin and gently and slowly incorporate it into the soap mixture.

4. Pour well-blended mixture into a heat-resistant container to cool. After 10 minutes, add the essential oil, stirring ever-so-gently. Allow to cool without stirring again for 30 minutes, then pour into a container with a tight-fitting lid (if a film formed on the surface of the soap, pour through a fine-mesh strainer).

5. After the 24 hour wait or within the next 8 to 12 weeks, the base can be converted to liquid soap. To do this, scoop half of the soap (save the other half until you need to make more soap) into a heavy-bottomed saucepan and add 1/2 cup water. With the stove set at medium-low, heat the soap and water without ever stirring. Stirring works up a lather, something undesirable at this stage. Instead heat slowly while scrunching the soap into the hot water, until the soap and water have blended into a uniform liquid soap.

Source: "The Soapmaker's Companion" by Susan Miller Cavitch

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