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1
Wear rubber gloves and goggles for protection, I also wear a mask to protect my mouth and nose.
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2
Weigh all your base oils and place in good size stainless steel pan.
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3
Weigh the water and pour into a large heatproof jug.
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4
Whilst gently stirring add the lye slowly to the water until fully dissolved, try not to splash the lye and to inhale the fumes, the first burst of fumes wont last long.
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5
Slowly heat the oil, remove from the heat.
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6
Using one or two cook's thermometer's you want to get the lye and the oils both to about the same temperature of 115/120F, carefully pour the cooled lye into the pan with the oils whilst stirring.
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7
Go on stirring until the soap will trace, it should leave a visible trail and have the thickness of a pourable custard, this can be 30 minutes up to hours, you can take breaks and go back to it for another stirring session.
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8
When you are at the trace fase, add the essential oils and paprika powder if using, mix well.
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9
Close or cover the mold and wrap in towels or a small blanket to insulate.
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10
Leave for 48 hours, wearing gloves, turn out of the mold, cut in bars and leave to cure for three weeks somewhere cool and dark.
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11
Note: where it reads Sweet Almond Extracts in the ingredients list.should be: Sweet Almond OIL, it is one of the base oils in this soap.
