Simple Laundry Bar Soap Recipe (Hot Process)
Ingredients
500 g First Grade PKO (Palm Kernel Oil)
250 g Tallow (or Palm Oil if you don’t have tallow)
250 g Coconut Oil
Lye Solution
148 g Caustic Soda (NaOH)
300 g Water
Additives (Optional)
1 tbsp Sodium Silicate – for hardness and cleaning boost
1 tbsp Soda Ash (Washing Soda) – for extra cleaning power
1 tbsp STPP – helps soften hard water
10–15 ml Lemon Fragrance (optional)
Hot Process Method
Wear safety gear – gloves, goggles, and long sleeves.
Prepare the lye solution by slowly adding the caustic soda to the water. Stir until dissolved and allow it to cool.
Melt the oils in a pot over low heat.
When both the oils and lye are around 45–55°C, pour the lye solution into the oils.
Blend to trace using a stick blender or stir continuously.
Continue cooking on low heat for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the soap reaches a mashed-potato consistency.
Add the sodium silicate, soda ash, STPP, and fragrance (if using). Mix thoroughly.
Spoon the soap into silicone molds and tap gently to remove air pockets.
Allow the bars to harden for 24 hours, then unmold and cut.
Although hot process soap can be used sooner, allow the bars to dry for 1–2 weeks for a harder, longer-lasting laundry bar.
Benefits
Excellent stain removal
Produces good lather
Hard, long-lasting bars
Suitable for hand-washing clothes and general household cleaning
