what to do with this

[Kristy K]

I have 10 lbs of shea, 4 lbs soy oil and 4 lbs of sweet almond oil. I have been trying to sell it, but no interest. Is there some type of soap I can make that is easy to make? I am a soy candle person so no experience with soap. Willing to try.

[michelleB]

Hmmm...well, unless you just want to make soap, easiest thing to make would probably be whipped shea butter. You'd just use the shea and a bit of the sweet almond oil (some add a pinch of cornstarch too) and whip it til it's fluffy. With Christmas just around the corner, little containers of whipped shea would make terrific gifts!

[Carriegsxr6]

I agree, whipped shea butter is very nice.

If you do want to make soap, I think you would need to add some Palm Kernal Oil or Coconut oil in order to make a cleansing lather.

Try this recipe out

20% coconut oil or Palm Kernel Oil

30% Soybean Oil

20% Almond Sweet Oil

30% Shea Butter

Run it through the Lye calculator to find out how much water and lye to use. Start with a 2lb batch.

http://www.soapcalc.com/calc/soapcalc.asp

[Kristy K]

Thanks a lot! I bought it to make whipped shea, but I don't think it will hold long enough before I (or family) could use it. (I am no longer able to do shows, so it would be for family, friends, and personal use). If I do make it into soap, is there a shelf life?

[Carriegsxr6]

Thanks a lot! I bought it to make whipped shea, but I don't think it will hold long enough before I (or family) could use it. (I am no longer able to do shows, so it would be for family, friends, and personal use). If I do make it into soap, is there a shelf life?

I am not sure about the shelf life thing. I think the butters and oils would go bad sitting on your shelf raw and un-used faster than it would soaped. I have soaps from almost a year ago and they havent gone bad.

[Kristy K]

Thanks! I think then I will try to make the soap. It looks like it would be more cost effective that way.