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| Eucalyptus Soap |
| You're more likely to be overwhelmed than bored buying soap these days, simply because the choices are endless. But why not try making your own scented eucalyptus soap? |
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Caustic soda is the cleaning agent in soap, but it is also a very strong chemical. It is alkaline and highly corrosive. When making soap, make sure you wear protective gear, work in a well-ventilated area and don't let children near it.
1
Pour water into a plastic bowl and add caustic soda, stirring with a plastic spoon until soda is dissolved. Make sure you wear your protective gear and handle the caustic soda carefully. The soda solution will be hot, so set it aside to cool in a safe place for about an hour.
2
Place the two cups of Supafry or similar solid vegetable oil in a saucepan and allow to melt over a low heat. You could also use a microwave, making sure the setting is low or medium.
3
Once the caustic soda mixture has cooled, carefully add the warm vegetable oil to it and stir. The resulting mixture is known as lye.
4
Once the lye goes cloudy and starts to thicken, add a couple of teaspoons of scented pure oil.
5
Pour the mixture into plastic moulds.
6
Wait 10 days for moulds to set.
7
After 10 days, remove the soap from moulds and leave to dry out for 3-4 weeks.
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Materials
2 cups of Supafry (from supermarkets) or a similar solid vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup caustic soda (from hardware stores or supermarkets)
Eucalyptus oil (or any other pure fragrant oil)
Plastic moulds (such as small, clean empty yoghurt or juice containers, or jelly/chocolate moulds)
1-litre plastic jug for water (if working outside)
2 plastic bowls (extra bowl needed if working outside)
Rubber gloves
Protective face mask
This recipe will make about six to eight cakes of soap, so if you want to make more, simply multiply the above quantities. |
More Info
Special thanks to Anne Thoroughgood at the Pioneer Women's Hut. They welcome inquiries about their collection and the Quilt Register. For more information write to PO Box 192, Tumbarumba, NSW 2653, or phone honorary director Wendy Hucker on (02) 6921 6565 or honorary secretary Anne Thoroughgood on (02) 6948 2635.
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Disclaimer
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