KITCHEN SOAP TRAY RECIPES

Steps:

• Measure the lye and water in separate containers, using a digital scale.  Combine the lye and water by adding the lye to the water, then stir until dissolved.  The lye solution will shoot up in temperature and become hot.  Set aside to cool in a safe place.
• Measure the castor oil and coconut oil using a digital scale.  Melt over low heat in a stainless steel pot until fully melted and 140 degrees.  Set aside to cool in a safe place.
• When the lye water and melted oils have cooled to about 110 degrees, combine them by pouring the lye water into the melted oils.  Blend with a stick blender until a thin trace is reached.  (The mixture will thicken slightly and no droplets of oil are visible.)  Add the fragrance, if using, and stir in by hand.
• Immediately pour into a soap mold with individual bars.  (The soap dries too hard to cut easily if made as a loaf.). Remove from the molds after 24 hours and allow to cure 2 weeks more before using.  Store the bar in a place that will allow it to dry as much as possible between uses. 

Steps:

• Measure out the lye and the water in separate, non-reactive containers, using a digital scale.  Combine the lye and the water and stir until dissolved.  The lye solution will heat up as the result of a chemical reaction.  Be careful of fumes, heat, and the corrosive solution.  Set the cup aside to cool in a very safe place.
• Measure out the oils in separate containers and place them in a pot.  Add 1 teaspoon of the lemon zest. Melt over medium low heat until fully melted and about 130-140 degrees.  Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• Check the temperature of both solutions after an hour or so.  Before proceeding, they should be around 90-100 degrees.  It is best if they are within ten degrees of each other.  Add the sodium lactate to the cooled lye water.  Before blending, have your soap mold, last teaspoon of lemon zest, and fragrance ready.  Put on gloves and googles.
• Pour the lye solution into the melted oils and blend with a stick blender until you reach trace.   Trace is reached when the soap forms a batter and the stick blender leaves a trail when dragged across the top of the pot.  Once trace is reached, add the fragrance and remaining lemon zest and stir in by hand.  Immediately pour the soap batter into the mold.  Place in a turned off oven or other draft-free place and allow to set for 24 hours.
• Turn out the loaf of soap and slice into bars.  Allow to bars to cure in a well-ventilated space for at least 2 weeks before using.  Since this soap has a high percentage of olive oil, it will last longer if allowed to cure for 4 weeks.