Eucalyptus and Cotton Soap Project
This project features a fresh scent and ombre design. It's topped with pink sea salt and jasmine flowers.
This cold process soap features a subtle ombre design and a fresh scent from Eucalyptus and Cotton Fragrance Oil. With notes of eucalytpus, peppermint, gardenia, and ylang ylang, it's reminiscent of the spa. The bars are topped with jasmine flowers and pink sea salt for a rustic look.
Because this batch contains quite a bit of titanium dioxide pigment, we used an 8% water discount to prevent glycerin rivers. The discount coupled with a slightly accelerating fragrance means you'll need to work fast. Luckily, a medium trace is perfect for creating layers and the Swirl Recipe Quick Mix helps give you more time to work.
What You Need:
10 inch Silicone Loaf Mold
Swirl Recipe Quick Mix - 33 oz
Sodium Hydroxide Lye
Sodium Lactate - 4 oz
Eucalyptus and Cotton Fragrance Oil - 1.75 oz
Titanium Dioxide Pigment - 1 oz
Hydrated Chrome Green Pigment - 1 oz
Pink Sea Salt - Medium - 2 lbs
Jasmine Flowers - 3 oz
Sea Clay - 1 oz
Green Chrome Oxide Pigment - 1 oz
Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- Swirl Recipe Quick Mix - 33 oz
- Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- Sodium Lactate - 4 oz
- Eucalyptus and Cotton Fragrance Oil - 1.75 oz
- Titanium Dioxide Pigment - 1 oz
- Hydrated Chrome Green Pigment - 1 oz
- Pink Sea Salt - Medium - 2 lbs
- Jasmine Flowers - 3 oz
- Sea Clay - 1 oz
- Green Chrome Oxide Pigment - 1 oz
EQUIPMENT:
- 10 inch Silicone Loaf Mold
Instructions
You will need:
- 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold
- 33 oz. Swirl Recipe Quick Mix
- 4.7 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 10 oz. Distilled Water (8% water discount)
- 1.5 oz. Eucalyptus and Cotton Fragrance Oil
- Titanium Dioxide
- Sea Clay
- Hydrated Chrome Green Pigment
- Green Chrome Oxide Pigment
- Jasmine Flowers
- Pink Sea Salt (medium)
COLORANT PREP: Disperse 3 teaspoons of the titanium dioxide into 3 tablespoons of sunflower or sweet almond oil (or any other liquid oil). In separate containers, mix 1 teaspoon of Green Chrome Oxide Pigment and 1 teaspoon of Hydrated Chrome Green Pigment into 1 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to get rid of any clumps. Optional: To ensure the titanium dioxide blends smoothly into the soap, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Use a coffee grinder to break up any clumps of color and prevent streaks of white from showing in the final soap. We like to use a coffee grinder that has a removable stainless steel mixing area for easy cleaning.
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 1.5 ounces of Eucalyptus and Cotton Fragrance Oil into a glass container. Set aside.
SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices. That means goggles, gloves, and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, other distractions, and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your space. Always make soap in a well-ventilated area.
Follow these steps:
1
Slowly and carefully add 4.7 ounces of lye to 10 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. Optional: Stir in 2 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help the soap harden and unmold more quickly.
2
Fully melt the entire bag of Swirl Recipe Quick Mix until it’s completely clear. Shake the bag to mix up all the oils. Measure 33 ounces into a large heat-safe container. Add 1 teaspoon of sea clay and 1/2 teaspoon of titanium dioxide to the oils. Use the stick blender to combine until there are no clumps.
Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 100-120° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend the mixture to a very thin trace.
3
Add 3/4 teaspoon of dispersed Hydrated Chrome Green Pigment and 3/4 teaspoon of dispersed Green Chrome Oxide Pigment. Use a whisk to mix thoroughly, then split the batch into four equal containers. Each one will have about 350 mL of soap.
4
Add the following amounts of dispersed colorants to each container. Use a whisk to mix. Once all the colors are added, pulse each container quickly with the stick blender (going from lightest to darkest) to fully incorporate and break up any clumps.
- Container A (lightest green): 5 teaspoons titanium dioxide
- Container B (light green): 2 teaspoons titanium dioxide
- Container C (medium green): none
- Container D (dark green): 1/4 teaspoon Green Chrome Oxide
Note: If any of the colors look like they need to be more saturated, add drops of the Green Chrome Oxide Pigment. If they need to be lighter, add drops of the titanium dioxide.
5
Add the Eucalyptus and Cotton Fragrance Oil evenly to each container of soap – it's okay to eyeball it. Use a whisk to thoroughly mix.
6
Check the consistency of the dark green soap. It needs to be a medium trace to support a layer on top. If necessary, pulse with the stick blender to thicken. Pour all of the soap into the mold. Spread it out and create texture with a spoon. Tap the mold firmly on the counter to get rid of bubbles.
7
Check the consistency of the medium green soap. Stick blend to thicken if necessary. Gently pour or spoon all of the soap into the mold, being careful to not break through the layer below. Even the soap with a spooon and create texture. Tap the mold on the counter to get rid of bubbles.
8
The last two layers of soap should be fairly thick at this point, but if not, pulse with a stick blender. Gently pour all of the light green soap into the mold and use a spoon to even it out and create texture. Then, pour all of the lightest green soap into the mold. Use a spoon to even it out and create texture. Tap the mold firmly on the counter to get rid of bubbles.
9
Use the spoon to texture the soap on top. Then, place jasmine flowers and pink sea salt down the middle. Gently press the flowers and salt into the batter to help them stick. We recommend placing extra salt and flowers because some will fall off when being cut.
10
Spritz the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol to help prevent soda ash. We lightly insulated this batch by placing it in a drawer in a room temperature (about 70° F) area. Allow the soap to sit in the mold for about 2-3 days. Unmold and cut into bars - we recommend cutting from the side to prevent drag marks. Allow them to cure for 4-6 weeks and enjoy.
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman
Eucalyptus and Cotton Soap Project
- LEVEL
- TIME 2 hours
- YIELD null
Project Description
This cold process soap features a subtle ombre design and a fresh scent from Eucalyptus and Cotton Fragrance Oil. With notes of eucalytpus, peppermint, gardenia, and ylang ylang, it's reminiscent of the spa. The bars are topped with jasmine flowers and pink sea salt for a rustic look.
Because this batch contains quite a bit of titanium dioxide pigment, we used an 8% water discount to prevent glycerin rivers. The discount coupled with a slightly accelerating fragrance means you'll need to work fast. Luckily, a medium trace is perfect for creating layers and the Swirl Recipe Quick Mix helps give you more time to work.
You will need:
- 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold
- 33 oz. Swirl Recipe Quick Mix
- 4.7 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 10 oz. Distilled Water (8% water discount)
- 1.5 oz. Eucalyptus and Cotton Fragrance Oil
- Titanium Dioxide
- Sea Clay
- Hydrated Chrome Green Pigment
- Green Chrome Oxide Pigment
- Jasmine Flowers
- Pink Sea Salt (medium)
COLORANT PREP: Disperse 3 teaspoons of the titanium dioxide into 3 tablespoons of sunflower or sweet almond oil (or any other liquid oil). In separate containers, mix 1 teaspoon of Green Chrome Oxide Pigment and 1 teaspoon of Hydrated Chrome Green Pigment into 1 tablespoon of lightweight liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to get rid of any clumps. Optional: To ensure the titanium dioxide blends smoothly into the soap, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Use a coffee grinder to break up any clumps of color and prevent streaks of white from showing in the final soap. We like to use a coffee grinder that has a removable stainless steel mixing area for easy cleaning.
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 1.5 ounces of Eucalyptus and Cotton Fragrance Oil into a glass container. Set aside.
SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices. That means goggles, gloves, and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, other distractions, and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your space. Always make soap in a well-ventilated area.
Follow these steps:
1
Slowly and carefully add 4.7 ounces of lye to 10 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. Optional: Stir in 2 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help the soap harden and unmold more quickly.
2
Fully melt the entire bag of Swirl Recipe Quick Mix until it’s completely clear. Shake the bag to mix up all the oils. Measure 33 ounces into a large heat-safe container. Add 1 teaspoon of sea clay and 1/2 teaspoon of titanium dioxide to the oils. Use the stick blender to combine until there are no clumps.
Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 100-120° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend the mixture to a very thin trace.
3
Add 3/4 teaspoon of dispersed Hydrated Chrome Green Pigment and 3/4 teaspoon of dispersed Green Chrome Oxide Pigment. Use a whisk to mix thoroughly, then split the batch into four equal containers. Each one will have about 350 mL of soap.
4
Add the following amounts of dispersed colorants to each container. Use a whisk to mix. Once all the colors are added, pulse each container quickly with the stick blender (going from lightest to darkest) to fully incorporate and break up any clumps.
- Container A (lightest green): 5 teaspoons titanium dioxide
- Container B (light green): 2 teaspoons titanium dioxide
- Container C (medium green): none
- Container D (dark green): 1/4 teaspoon Green Chrome Oxide
Note: If any of the colors look like they need to be more saturated, add drops of the Green Chrome Oxide Pigment. If they need to be lighter, add drops of the titanium dioxide.
5
Add the Eucalyptus and Cotton Fragrance Oil evenly to each container of soap – it's okay to eyeball it. Use a whisk to thoroughly mix.
6
Check the consistency of the dark green soap. It needs to be a medium trace to support a layer on top. If necessary, pulse with the stick blender to thicken. Pour all of the soap into the mold. Spread it out and create texture with a spoon. Tap the mold firmly on the counter to get rid of bubbles.
7
Check the consistency of the medium green soap. Stick blend to thicken if necessary. Gently pour or spoon all of the soap into the mold, being careful to not break through the layer below. Even the soap with a spooon and create texture. Tap the mold on the counter to get rid of bubbles.
8
The last two layers of soap should be fairly thick at this point, but if not, pulse with a stick blender. Gently pour all of the light green soap into the mold and use a spoon to even it out and create texture. Then, pour all of the lightest green soap into the mold. Use a spoon to even it out and create texture. Tap the mold firmly on the counter to get rid of bubbles.
9
Use the spoon to texture the soap on top. Then, place jasmine flowers and pink sea salt down the middle. Gently press the flowers and salt into the batter to help them stick. We recommend placing extra salt and flowers because some will fall off when being cut.
10
Spritz the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol to help prevent soda ash. We lightly insulated this batch by placing it in a drawer in a room temperature (about 70° F) area. Allow the soap to sit in the mold for about 2-3 days. Unmold and cut into bars - we recommend cutting from the side to prevent drag marks. Allow them to cure for 4-6 weeks and enjoy.
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman