Neroli & Shea Cold Process Soap Recipe

This lovely, feminine ITP swirl recipe is a great introduction to swirled Cold Process soap techniques!

What is ITP? This is a Soapers abbreviation for "In the Pot".  TThis this technique, you don't manually swirl the colours through the soap. The colours are simply poured into the main pot separately, and they mix themselves as you pour the batch from the main soap pot into the mould.

We've included recipes for two different sized batches below. We recommend using a slab or log mould for this kind of soap. If making the large batch recipe below, pour smoothly and swiftly to ensure an even mixture of swirl colours.

The most important thing with ITP style colouring is to avoid over tracing the soap. If it is too thick, it won't swirl well and will clump instead of flowing.  Also important is to use a Fragrance or Essential Oil that doesn't accelerate trace.

For a little extra sheen, we dusted the top of the soap loaf with Fluffy Clouds Mica just before cutting the individual soaps.

Small Batch:  Weight of Oils = 1250g.

Ingredients:

• 100g Shea Butter
• 400g Olive Oil
• 300g Coconut Oil
• 350g Palm Kernel Oil
• 100g Castor Oil
  
• 185g Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda/Lye)
• 320 - 470g/ml Distilled Water (use larger quantity if you are a beginner)
• 45g/ml Neroli & Shea Blossom Fragrance
• Carmine Red Liquid Pigment Dispersion
• Liquid Titanium Dioxide
• Optional: a dusting of Fluffy Clouds Mica over the top for a little extra sheen

The most important thing with ITP style colouring is to avoid overtracing the soap. If it is too thick, it won't swirl well and will clump instead of flowing. Also important is to use a fragrance or essential oil that doesn't accelerate trace.

Large Batch:  Weight of Oils = 2120g (suitable for pouring two or three trays or logs at once)

• 160g Shea Butter
• 650g Olive Oil
• 500g Coconut Oil
• 650g Palm Kernel Oil
• 160g Castor Oil
  
  
• 315g Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda/Lye)
• 530 - 780g/ml Distilled Water (use larger quantity if you are a beginner)
• 70g/ml Neroli & Shea Blossom Fragrance
• Carmine Red Liquid Pigment Dispersion
• Liquid Titanium Dioxide
• Optional: a dusting of Fluffy Clouds Mica over the top for a little extra sheen

Equipment:

All your regular Cold Process Soap making equipment and Safety Gear including Goggles and Gloves
Jug to hold 500ml to 1 litre traced soap
Small beaker to hold the Fragrance - helpful, not essential
Isopropyl Alcohol and Sprtizer Bottle – optional – to prevent soda ash if you decide on a textured top

Method:

If you are a beginner, we recommend you make a few batches before attempting this soap.   For how to make soap from Scratch, please see our Cold Process Soapmaking Instructions.  You can also watch Soap Queen's You Tube Series on Cold Process Soapmaking.

If you are a beginner, we recommend you make a few batches before attempting this soap as it can be a little overwhelming using so many colours when just starting out. If you are more advanced, you can follow the instructions below.

• Prepare all ingredients and line the mould as usual.
• Set aside a spare clean 500ml jug or container for the swirl colour.
• Prepare your workspace and set out the liquid colour and Fragrance ready to go.
• Bring soap to thin trace, and then pour approximately 1 - 2 cups of soap into the small container.
• Leave this uncoloured.
• Colour the main soap pot to a mid to strong colour with the Carmine Red and Titanium Dioxide.
• Now add the fragrance into the main pot and stir through thoroughly, but don't increase the trace.
• Add the uncoloured soap to the main pot of soap - I use 4 areas like a clock face - 12 o'clock, 3 pm, 6 and 9.
• DO NOT MIX THIS.
• Still working quickly, pour the soap into the log mould – the colours will mix as you do this creating the effect as shown in the graphic.
• By slightly moving the soap pot as you pour you can alter the pattern a little if desired.
• See full instructions for In the Pot Swirling Technique HERE.
• If you want a textured top, or don't wish to cover the top to avoid ashing, spritz liberally with Isopropyl Alcohol, then insulate for gel.
• Unmould and slice as usual.
  
  

Have some leftover soap? Pour the rest into a single cavity soap mould for some gorgeous single soaps!

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