The video is a beginner's guide to soap making, detailing a simple recipe using olive oil, coconut oil, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), water, and optional essential oils and colors. The full recipe is provided in the video description. The presenter emphasizes watching an introductory soap making video for a comprehensive understanding of the process, equipment, ingredients, and safety information. The method demonstrated is cold process soap making, where ingredients should be at room temperature to slow down the reaction for easier handling. The lye solution is prepared first and allowed to cool before mixing with oils. Accurate measurements are crucial due to each oil's unique saponification value. The video shows the entire process, including safety precautions, mixing lye with water, weighing and combining oils, adding colorants and essential oils, achieving 'trace' (a term used in soap making), pouring into molds, and wrapping the molds for insulation. The presenter also discusses curing time for the soap and storage tips to ensure proper drying, especially in humid climates.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The video demonstrates a simple beginner soap making recipe.
2. The ingredients needed for the recipe are olive oil, coconut oil, caustic soda (or sodium hydroxide), water, and essential oils (optional).
3. The recipe uses a 40% lye concentration solution.
4. The water and caustic soda are mixed separately before being combined.
5. The mixture of water and caustic soda generates heat and should be handled carefully.
6. The solution should be cooled almost completely before making the soap.
7. The recipe uses 199 grams of water and 133 grams of sodium hydroxide.
8. The oils used are 950 grams of olive oil and 50 grams of coconut oil.
9. Coconut oil can be very drying to the skin if used in large amounts.
10. The soap is made using the cold process soap making method.
11. The mixture of oils and lye solution is blended until it reaches a light trace.
12. Essential oils can be added to the soap for fragrance.
13. The soap is poured into a mold and left to cool and harden.
14. The soap should be wrapped in a towel or blanket to insulate it and help it gel evenly.
15. The soap will go through a gel phase before it turns solid again.
16. The soap should be left to cure for at least four weeks before use.
17. The soap should be stored in a dry place, such as on a wire rack or in a drawer with a dehumidifier.
18. The dehumidifier can be refilled with calcium carbonate to continue to draw moisture out of the air.
19. Soap is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts moisture, and should be stored in a dry place to prevent it from becoming damp or slimy.