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1
Grease a square or oblong mold.
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2
Place the fat and base oils in a stainless steel or enamel pot over a low heat.
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3
Pour the water into a heavy glass or plastic bowl or pitcher.
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4
Wearing rubber gloves and eye protection, add the sodium hydroxide (caustic soda/lye) to the water and stir until dissolved.
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5
When the oils have melted, remove them from heat.
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6
Place one candy thermometer in the oils and one in the caustic solution.
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7
When both thermometers reach an equal temperature between 120*F.
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8
(49*C.) and 140*F (60*C.), pour the caustic solution into the oil.
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9
Stir occasionallly until the mixture reaches trace.
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10
This should take about 60 minutes.
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11
Add the essential oils and stir well.
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12
Pour immediately into the mold and cover with a towel or blanket.
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13
Leave to set for 24 hours or until the soap reaches a solid consistency.
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14
Wearing rubber gloves, remove the soap from the mold and cut into bars.
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15
Cover the soap and leave to cure for four weeks before use.
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16
Note#1: You may add dried lavender buds that have been ground up to your soap at trace.
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17
Use about 2 tbls.
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18
(30g) per lb (454g) soap.
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19
Note#2: For extra protection, put one part glycerine and four parts water into a spray bottle and add a few drops to these essential oils.
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20
If you don't have glycerine on hand, use straight vodka as a base instead.
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21
If you don't have citonella, lemon grass is equally effective.
