I'm still a in a bit of an ITP Swirl Loop with a textured tops right now! This is another ITP swirl, and below the first Recipe you'll find the same one that I have recalculated to the size of the batch for our Large Milky Way Rectangle Moulds. What is ITP? This is a Soapers abbreviation for "In the Pot". This means you don't actually swirl the colours manually or physically through the soap, the colours are simply poured into the main pot and the colours mix themselves as you pour the batch from the main soap pot into the mould. A slab or log Mould are best for this kind of soap. If using the larger version recipe below, pour smoothly and swiftly to ensure an even mixture of swirl colours.
The most important thing with ITP style colouring is to avoid overtracing the soap. If it is too thick, it won't swirl well and will clump instead of flowing. Also important is to use a Fragrance or Essential Oil that doesn't accelerate trace.
To achieve the shiny top, I have dusted the log just prior to cutting with New Gold Mica mixed with a touch of White Pearl, but either on its own will look fabulous.
This Size Batch Suits our Wooden Log Mould or a 12 Bar Nizzy Mould.
Weight of Oils = 1250g.
- 100g Shea Butter
- 400g Olive Oil
- 300g Coconut Oil
- 350g Palm Kernel Oil
- 100g Castor Oil
- 185g Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda/Lye)
- 320 - 470 mls/g of Distilled Water (Use larger quantity if you are a beginner)
- I used 35ml (approx 7 teaspoons) of Neroli Fragrance to give this batch its Fragrance, with Brites for CP Orange with a dash of Carmine for the Orange Colour. The Carmine Liquid Dispersion takes that "neonish" tone out of the Orange, but leaves a vibrant colour.
The most important thing with ITP style colouring is to avoid overtracing the soap. If it is too thick, it won't swirl well and will clump instead of flowing. Also important is to use a Fragrance or Essential Oil that doesn't accelerate trace.
This Size Batch Suits the Large Milky Way Slab Tray Moulds or use several smaller Moulds.
Weight of Oils = 2120g
- 160g Shea Butter
- 650g Olive Oil
- 500g Coconut Oil
- 650g Palm Kernel Oil
- 160g Castor Oil
- 315g Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda/Lye)
- 530 - 780 mls/g of Distilled Water (Use larger quantity if you are a beginner)
- 50 - 60ml Neroli Fragrance to give this batch its Fragrance, with Brites for CP Orange with a dash of Carmine for the Orange Colour.
Method:
For how to make soap from Scratch, please see our Cold Process Soapmaking Instructions Page
If you are a beginner, we recommend you make a few batches before attempting this soap as it can be a little overwhelming using so many colours when just starting out. If you are more advanced, you can follow the instructions below.
- Prepare all ingredients and line the mould as usual
- Set aside a spare washed, 500ml Chinese Food container for the swirl colour
- Prepare your workspace and set out the liquid colour and Fragrance ready to go
- Bring soap to thin trace, and then pour approximately 1 - 2 cups of soap into the small container
- Colour this with the Violet until you reach a colour depth you are happy with
- Now add the fragrance into the main pot and stir through thoroughly, but don't increase the trace
- Pour a few centimetres of uncoloured, scented soap into the log mould
- Now pour the Violet portion into the main pot
- DO NOT MIX THIS
- Still working quickly, pour the soap into the log mould – the colours will mix as you do this creating the effect as shown in the pictures
- By slightly moving the soap pot as you pour you can alter the pattern a little if desired
- See full instructions for In the Pot Swirling Technique here).
- If you want a textured top, or don't wish to cover the top to avoid ashing, spritz liberally with Isopropyl Alcohol, then insulate for gel, or you can cover with acetate once firm enough to lie this over the top without it sticking
- Unmould and slice as usual