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Storage of African Black
Soap
African Black Soap is a soft milled soap and has a very high natural
glycerin content. As a result, it readily absorbs moisture from the air.
It must be stored in a dry location or in a sealed plastic bag or it
will become soft as it absorbs moisture. Black soap exposed to the air
will have a thin white colored film. This film is not mold - it is caused
by absorption of water from the air. This can be avoided by keeping the
soap in a dry location away from moisture until ready for use. ***When
using bath bars - DO NOT allow them to sit in water or they will
dissolve into a mushy mess. Keep them on a
soap dish
with sufficient drainage.
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How African Black Soap is Made:
African Black Soap is made with virgin palm kernel oil, residues from making
unrefined shea butter, plantain leaf ashes and bark of the Agow tree. The
shea butter residue adds the base necessary to saponify the virgin palm
kernel oil. All of the
ingredients are simple and natural. The soap-making process is highly
sophisticated, and requires hand-stirring for at least a day. After the soap
has crystallized, it is allowed to cure for two weeks.
Uses of African Black Soap:
African Black Soap is
an excellent all purpose soap. It is recommend especially for individuals
with sensitive skin. In Africa, it is known for making smooth skin and is also
used to treat skin irritations and other skin conditions. African Black soap
can be formed into bars or balls with pressure. As soon as you begin using
the soap, the contact with water will make it keep its shape. Also, you can
make a liquid soap, shampoo or body wash by filling a container loosely with
the black soap and adding water to fill (see below instructions). The soap
pieces will dissolve into the water and form a versatile soap. Finally, the
scent of the African Black Soap
is very organically mild and pleasant.
How to Make Smaller Bars from
Large Loaves: If you want, you can just take a knife and cut the
soap loaf into bar sizes of your choice. BUT- If you want more uniform
bars, you can use your fingers and crumble soap into smaller pieces.
After you have your loaf in smaller pieces, you can mold into smaller bars
OR for a more firmly compact bar - you can press the soap pieces firmly into a flat square
plastic or wooden mold. Cover the top of soap with plastic wrap and
beat the soap evenly with a soft mallet (also known as rubber hammer).
After soap is compressed and even - turn mold upside down, dump out soap,
and cut into bars. Be sure to wrap them securely in cellophane or a
ziplock bag to preserve freshness.
The below recipe provides
approximately 8oz of shampoo. May be doubled for larger batch.
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What you will need:
1/4 Pound African Black
Soap
1/2 Cup Distilled Water
(heated)
Mixing Bowl
Storage Container
Hand Mixer / Stick
Blender (optional)
"Extras"
below this line are optional |
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Don't
have the extra ingredients? No problem. We sell the shampoo
kit that includes 1 Pound of African Black Soap, all the extra
ingredients + Storage Container.
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more details - |
1T
Jojoba Oil or oil of
choice
1/2 T
Natural Glycerin
1t
Vitamin E Oil (acts
as a mild preservative)
1t Wild African Raw
Honey (acts as a mild preservative)
1t
Essential Oil or Fragrance Oil of choice
Basic Directions:
Crumble into small
pieces or grate 1/4 Pound of Pure African Black Soap into a bowl. Next, slowly add
1/2 cup boiling hot
distilled water and stir soap into water.
Next, add all of your "extras" or "shampoo kit mixture" and stir everything
well into soap. Cover bowl and let sit for 24
hours stirring a few times in-between. After 24 hours, your soap
should have melted well with the water and oils. If you are happy with
the consistency - Stir until smooth and pour in
storage container. May use immediately. *Before each use, shake
container well to remix shampoo. Massage Shampoo into hair. Leave 30-60 rinse. Repeat if needed.
If you want your
shampoo thicker, add more grated soap and let sit another 24 hours to repeat
process. If you want your shampoo thinner, add more water and mix
well.
*** When we make
our shampoo, we find it easier to use a stick blender to speed up the process, but you still need
to let soap sit for 24
hours.
SHAMPOO KIT
DIRECTIONS: Follow above directions being sure to shake the
shampoo kit mixture bottle well, to remix ingredients, before pouring in
soap. Use 1/2 container per batch and store the remainder 1/2 bottle in the refrigerator until you
make your 2nd batch of shampoo.
Notes:
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If you don't want any
extras whatsoever in the shampoo - simply add the boiling water and
nothing more. Let sit 24 hours and use as stated.
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This recipe has been
formulated for normal hair. If you would like more conditioning in
your shampoo, you can use some Olive Oil or another conditioning oil you
have around your home.
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This recipe also
makes a great all-over body wash that is gentle and luxuriously
nourishing.
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This recipe is an
all-natural recipe and does not have any commercial long lasting
preservatives which you will need if your product sits for over a month or
so.
© Southern Crafter aka
Skinfully Delicious Bath & Body
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