Utensils – Protection objects

• Propylene jar (high temperature resistant)

• A propylene bowl (initially to mix water with caustic soda and then to be used as a mould for the final mixture)

• A simple stainless-steel whisk or a mixer

• Silicone spatula

• High accuracy weight scale

• Cooking thermometer

• Rubber gloves

• Safety glasses

• Disposable protective mask

• Kitchen apron

• Plastic glass

• Cupcake cases

 

For security reasons

• We choose to wear clothes to protect the hands and legs

• The utensils being used, after being washed, should not be reused for at least a month

 

Production method

Cool method

This method was preferred because this way lower temperatures grow, but it is a prerequisite to use high quality olive oil.

 

Ingredients and quantities

• Distilled water (we should not use tap water because it contains salts): 120 grams. Accuracy in water quantity is not necessary because though  it is used as a contributing medium in the process, it is not involved in the chemical reaction.

• Sodium hydroxide NAOH (commonly known as caustic soda): 45 grams

• High quality, residue free olive oil: 350 grams

Optionally:

• Colouring substances, food colour, natural dyes

• Flavourings: synthetic, essences (attention to quantity!), plant extracts which are added to the olive oil (safer method)

Vinegar as antidote in case of skin contact

 

Temperatures of materials used

• Olive oil: 40° C (cool method: 30°C - 60°C)

• Water: distilled at room temperature

• Solution of water and caustic soda: 30°C - 40°C (before mixing with olive oil for the final mixture)

It is highly recommended that the water and caustic soda solution as well as the olive oil have the same temperature before they are mixed (approximately 40° C)

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Production procedure

• Outdoors or in a very well ventilated area we first weigh the water in the bowl and the caustic soda in the plastic glass.

• Wearing the mask, the rubber gloves and the safety glasses we pour in the  bowl first the water and then the caustic soda – never in the reverse order, stirring slowly with the spatula. The resulting solution develops high temperature and releases water vapor which is caustic for the skin, the eyes and the respiratory system, therefore, apart from the use of protective equipment, we should be extremely cautious in our movements.

• We weigh the necessary quantity of olive oil.

• We wait until the temperature of the water and caustic soda solution reaches 30°C - 40°C.

• We heat the olive oil until its temperature reaches 40°C.

• We pour the olive oil in the jar and add the water and caustic soda solution, in the order mentioned.  

• We stir with the whisk in cyclical, constant but not intense movements, until all the ingredients have been homogenized. In case we use a whisk we stir for approximately 20-30 minutes, but if we use a mixer the process is shorter.

• When the final mixture takes the form of a thickened slurry, we pour in it  colouring substances or flavourings, if desirable, stirring the mixture until all the ingredients have been homogenized.

• We pour the final mixture in a bowl or smaller bowls used as moulds. If we want we may use silicone moulds (eg. cupcakes cases) in various shapes.

• We let the mixture solidify. After about a week it solidifies, so it can be divided in desirable sizes or shapes. In case the mixture is not solidified, its use may be dangerous for the skin, as it is still caustic, so we leave it for some more days until it is ready.

• The curing time for olive oil soaps is about 1month, in order that the pH, therefore its causticity, can be reduced. Then, it is safe for use on the human skin, after removing a white powder that may have been formed on the soap surface.