Potash is ash that comes from different sources, such as cocoa, plantain, and clay. Any of these will work for black soap, but they may affect the final color and texture. [3] X Research source You can buy potash online from stores that specialize in soap making supplies or African grocery.
Potash isn’t as harsh as lye, but it can still affect your skin. Put on plastic, rubber, or vinyl gloves, and don’t take them off until after you’ve finished making the soap. Don’t use tap or filtered water. They may contain minerals, which might affect the soap in the end. If you can’t find a stainless steel pot, then an iron pot will work just fine. Don’t use aluminum as it will react with the potash.
You need to bring the potash to a boil because it helps jump-start the saponification process.
The potash will absorb the water and turn solid. You can help it cook faster by flattening it across the bottom of the pot with your spatula. Watch out for bubbles; don’t let the potash boil over. If it starts to happen, lift the pot off the stove for a moment or two until the bubbles die down.
You can take the potash out of the pot and transfer it into a jar. The pot will look sticky, gummy, and caked over. A bit of water will clean it right up, however.
Make sure that the pot is deep, like what you’d use for pasta. This will ensure that the soap won’t boil over when you make it. Like with the pot you used for preparing the potash, make sure that you won’t use this one again for cooking. If you don’t have castor oil, try palm oil instead.
Use distilled water for best results. How long it takes for the potash to dissolve will vary each time. Expect it to take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. Store the rest of the potash in an airtight container. This is important, otherwise the potash will absorb moisture from the air and turn corrosive. [9] X Research source
Don’t wait; once the potash starts to thicken, move onto the next step.
Use a rubber spatula to scrape the soap from the sides of the pot so that you don’t waste anything. Alternatively, leave the soap in the pot. This way, you can pull it apart into smaller tufts later.
If you used individual soap molds, you don’t need to take them apart and slice the soap. Just turn the soap out onto a flat surface, like taking a cake out of a pan. If you left the soap in the pot, pull it apart into marble-sized tufts. This will give you single-use portions that are perfect for washing your face and hands. [13] X Research source
After 1 week, turn the bars over so. This will ensure that they cure evenly.
If you wish to keep the soap in a soap dish, make sure that it has slots so that the excess water can drain out. Keeping black soap away from moisture is important. If it gets wet, it will start to dissolve again. Black soap can develop a white film over time. This is normal and doesn’t harm or change the soap’s ability to function.
If you’re used a tuft of black soap, roll it into a ball first so that it doesn’t have any sharp edges. Black soap may cause a tingling, burning sensation, which is normal. If you develop a rash, however, stop using the soap and consult a dermatologist.
