Neroli & Shea Cold Process Soap Recipe

I'm still a in a bit of an ITP Swirl Loop with a textured tops right now!  This is another ITP swirl, and below the first recipe you'll find the same one that I have recalculated to the size of the batch for a large slab mould.  You can also pour multiple loaf moulds with the larger batch.

What is ITP? This is a Soapers abbreviation for "In the Pot".  This means you don't actually swirl the colours manually or physically through the soap, the colours are simply poured into the main pot and the colours mix themselves as you pour the batch from the main soap pot into the mould. A slab or log Mould are best for this kind of soap. If using the larger version 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.

To achieve the shiny top, I have dusted the log just prior to cutting with New Gold Mica mixed with a touch of White Pearl, but either on its own will look fabulous.

Smaller 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 - 470 mls/g of Distilled Water (Use larger quantity if you are a beginner)
• I used 45g/ml of Neroli & Shea Blossom Fragrance to give this batch its Fragrance, with Brites for CP Orange with a dash of Carmine Red Liquid Pigment Dispersion for the Orange Colour.  The Carmine Red Liquid Pigment Dispersion takes that "neonish" tone out of the Orange, but leaves a vibrant colour.

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.

This Larger Size Batch Suits means you pour two or three trays or two logs at once.

Weight of Oils = 2120g

• 160g Shea Butter
• 650g Olive Oil
• 500g Coconut Oil
• 650g Palm Kernel Oil
• 160g Castor Oil
  
  
• 315g Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda/Lye)
• 530 - 780 mls/g of Distilled Water (Use larger quantity if you are a beginner)
• 70g/ml Neroli & Shea Blossom Fragrance to give this batch its scent, with Brites for CP Orange with a dash of Carmine Red Liquid Pigment Dispersion for the Orange Colour.

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 washed, 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 Brites for CP Orange and Carmine.
• 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.
  
  

and if you have some left over, single soaps are gorgeous too!

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