Beeswax Soap
For those new to homesteading, delving into the world of crafting Beeswax soap marks a significant milestone—a tangible emblem of self-sufficiency and a stride toward mastering sustainable living practices. It encapsulates the essence of independence and ingenuity, turning ordinary ingredients like oils and beeswax into a lavish essential for everyday use.
Yet, the path to creating the perfect Homemade soap bar is not without its hurdles, especially for the hesitant novice. It demands meticulous attention to detail, from achieving the perfect blend of ingredients to navigating the intricacies of saponification. It requires patience and determination, as each batch brings its own surprises and lessons to be gleaned. However, amidst the uncertainty lies the thrill of discovery and the satisfaction of crafting something uniquely personal.
As you wash away the day’s labors on the homestead and admire the soap you’ve fashioned, a surge of accomplishment washes over you, serving as a reminder of the journey from raw materials to the finished product, and reinforcing the connection between effort and reward in the homesteading lifestyle.
Ingredients:
- 400g olive oil
- 200g coconut oil
- 100g beeswax
- 140g lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 325ml distilled water
- Optional: essential oils for fragrance (lavender, tea tree, etc.)
Instructions:
- Put on safety gear including gloves and goggles.
- In a well-ventilated area, carefully add the lye to the water (not the other way around) while stirring. This will create fumes, so be cautious.
- Let the lye mixture cool down to around 43°C.
- In a separate pot, melt the olive oil, coconut oil, and beeswax together until fully liquid.
- Allow both mixtures to cool until they reach around 43°C.
- Slowly pour the lye mixture into the oil mixture, stirring continuously.
- Use a stick blender to mix the ingredients until it reaches trace, which is when the mixture thickens to the consistency of thin custard.
- If using essential oils, add them now and stir well.
- Pour the soap mixture into molds.
- Let the soap harden for 24-48 hours.
- Once fully hardened, remove the soap from the molds and cut it into bars if necessary.
- Allow the bars to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, dry place before using.
we hope you enjoy the soap recipe, if you want to view our tallow beeswax soap recipe head here.
Notes
Mixing lye with water generates an exothermic reaction, meaning it produces heat. When lye (sodium hydroxide) is dissolved in water, the process releases heat energy. This reaction is quite vigorous and can cause the temperature of the mixture to rise significantly. It’s important to handle this process with caution, as the heat produced can cause the mixture to splatter or boil over if not properly managed. Additionally, it’s essential to add the lye to the water slowly and in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any fumes that may be produced. Safety gear such as gloves, goggles, and long sleeves should be worn to protect the skin and eyes from contact with the caustic solution.