Actually Sherry it takes about 2 days to trace a pure castile soap. I recommend leaving it in the mixing bowl until it traces. You need to continually stir only the first 15 minutes; then once every 15 min for about 2 hours; then once every 6 hours until it traces. It is almost like clock work to trace in 48 hours. Those last 6 hours I actually check it more frequently. You have to get it in the molds before it sets too much. I also add any frangrance or other additives during that last 6 hours. If I am using a large block mold I will pure it in just as it seems to be thickening and do my last stir in the mold. But if using small mold this is too difficult. It is not a quick thick like other soaps. When it starts to thicken you will still have oil seperation and will need to get in a last stir. I have put it in the mold immediately but it really is a pain trying to stir and not get it everywhere. It needs to stay in the mold about 6 days and age for 8 weeks after unmolding. Castile is the only soap I make. I make a large batch. Makes about 30 - 4 oz bars. 52 ounces olive oil 7 ounces lye 20 ounces cold water.
A couple of other recipes that are still considered castile but give you a much quicker trace are: (amounts make a smaller batch for testing; the amounts can be doubled)
14 ounces olive oil 2 ounces cocoa butter 1/2 ounce beeswax 2.2 ounces lye 8.2 ounces water Traces in 30 minutes; mold for 2 days; cure for 4 weeks
One more -
13 ounces olive oil 2 ounces beeswax 1 ounce palm oil 2.1 ounce lye 8.2 ounces water Traces in 12 - 15 minutes; mold for 24 hours; cure for 6 weeks.
Hope this helps you. I love castile. We use it for shampoo and bath. Most of the time I don't use added fragrance because it has such a clean pleasant smell on its own. I am making our Spring batch today. Enjoy.
Oooh, thanks for all that information! and the recipes. I really want to attempt making my own castile soap, but I am way intimidated by that long of a time to stir for trace. Maybe I'll give one of the others a try when i get my supplies.
Don't be intimidated Crystal. It really is worth the time. The first time I did it I just knew I was going to miss the trace but it really take a while to harden and a little difficult to miss it. I make sure the day I start it I am off work so I can stir more frequently, before I go to bed I give it a really good stir, then as soon as I get up I give it a good stir, if I am working (12 hour shifts) I give it a good stir right before I leave the house and as soon as I get home, and it is usually ready to go into the mold before I go to bed. I use the large box style mold so if it needs one more stir it is not a problem. You will know it needs to be stirred because oil will be floating on the top. Sounds difficult but it really is not. Actually, I call it my lazy soap because I am not frantically trying to get it in the mold before it hardens. You can take your time and enjoy the experience.
castile soap
Posted - Mar 10 2010 : 07:37:03 AM
