How to Make Coffee Soap

Make this soap that smells good enough to eat...or drink

Instructions

STEP 1 Using distilled water, make 2 c. of the strongest coffee possible.

STEP 2 Heat 2 c. olive oil (not virgin) and 2 c. coconut oil to 100 degrees F in a double boiler.

STEP 3 Stir in 1 tsp. powdered cocoa.

STEP 4 Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.

STEP 5 Add 4 ounces of lye flakes to 1 ½ cups (12 ounces) of cold coffee. Add the lye to the coffee, not vice versa. When lye meets water, it immediately begins to heat.

STEP 6 Stir constantly with a plastic spoon until it's well-mixed.

STEP 7 Let the lye-coffee mixture cool to room temperature.

STEP 8 Confirm that the oils are also at room temperature - ensuring that both mixtures are at the same temperature.

STEP 9 Pour the lye mix into the oils slowly, and stir slowly and constantly for about 30 minutes. If you see bubbles, stir more slowly. The mixture will get somewhat grainy - this is normal.

STEP 10 Once in awhile, drizzle the soap into the pot. When it keeps its shape momentarily before sinking into the rest of the mix (tracing), pour it into a mold greased with Crisco.

STEP 11 Wrap the mold in a towel and leave it undisturbed for 18 hours. The soap mixture will heat up and then cool down. Don't uncover it until it's cooled.

STEP 12 Allow the soap to sit in the uncovered mold for another 12 hours.

STEP 13 Loosen the sides by wiggling the mold a little.

STEP 14 Turn the mold over onto a clean counter.

STEP 15 Cut the soap into bars with a knife. Some people use a miter box to make square corners.

STEP 16 Allow the bars to cure for 3 to 4 weeks before using. Smaller bars cure faster than larger ones.

Tips & Warnings Don't wash your soapmaking supplies in the dishwasher or you'll be cleaning your kitchen floor as well. Keep a cup or two of vinegar handy in case you get lye on your skin. Lye is wickedly caustic. Always wear eye protection and gloves when using it. Never use aluminum with lye. Don't use containers or utensils used for mixing lye solutions for anything else. Add lye to water - not vice versa! If you add water to lye, it could react by splashing and burning you. Add the lye slowly. Ensure that the lye mixture and the oil mixture are the same temperature and at room temperature before combining the two.