Castile soap is a biodegradable soap made with olive oil, water, and lye. It was invented in Aleppo, Syria and brought by the crusaders to the Castile region of Spain where it became popular.

For centuries, people have been using this gentle cleanser for everything from bathing skin and hair to washing clothes and floors. After making bars of Castile soap, you can use them in their solid form or blend them with water to create liquid soap.

Equipment:

Ingredients:

  • 600 grams or 21.2 ounces of light olive oil
  • 109 g or 3.8 ounces of water
  • 79 g or 2.8 ounces of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)
  • 18 g or 10 drops of essential oil (optional)

  • Caution! One of the steps involves making lye which is a highly caustic chemical that can burn the eyes and skin and can harm the lungs if inhaled so work in a well-ventilated room or outdoors.

    Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles and keep a spray bottle of vinegar handy. Vinegar neutralizes lye which is a highly alkaline substance. If you get a serious burn—especially in the eyes—or inhale lye too deeply, consider the emergency room.

    Directions:

    1. Make the lye solution. When you mix lye and water, it’s important to use the exact measurements indicated in the ingredients list. Carefully add the lye to the water. The mixture will immediately begin to heat up and become cloudy, then clear a bit as it cools. It will take several minutes for the mixture to cool. Use the meat thermometer to test the temperature. The lye is ready to use when it reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius).

    Caution: Never add water to lye – always add lye to water. Adding water to lye creates an explosive reaction.

    1. While the lye is cooling, heat up the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Continue heating until the oil reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). Use the meat thermometer to determine when the oils are ready to mix with the lye. The oils and lye must be as close as possible to the same temperature to properly blend.

    Caution: Neglecting to make sure both the oil and lye are close to the same temperature will result in soap that doesn’t set up correctly. Be sure to use the meat thermometer to measure both mixtures and complete this crucial step.

    1. Carefully pour the lye mixture into the oil mixture. Use a handheld blender or mixer to begin blending everything together. After a few minutes, the mixture will begin to thicken. Continue blending and stirring with the blender for up to 15 minutes. The soap will lighten as it emulsifies. When you can see the trail left by the blender, the mixture has reached “trace.” It should have the consistency of honey.
    2. Add essential oil if you’re using it and stir with a spoon to incorporate. Pour into silicone or Teflon cupcake molds. If using metal cupcake pans lightly oil with olive oil. The mixture should make 10 to 12 soap cupcakes depending on the size of the cupcake molds. Let rest for a few minutes for the soap to thicken up. Cover the cupcake pans and let sit undisturbed for 48 hours. Either invert the pan to release the soap or bend the flexible silicone mold to release them.
    3. Place them on a bread or cookie drying rack and let air dry for 6 weeks up to a few months. The longer you wait, the better the soap will produce fluffier suds and have a better texture.
    4. Wrap in wax paper to store.

    Watch the video by Elly’s Everyday below to see it made.

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