Soapmakers: Substitutes for palm oil?

Question

I am hoping to make my first small batch of soap. But I can't find palm oil. What can I susbstitute? I'm using olive oil, coconut oil and palm oil (but again, can't find it). Thanks so much for your help. *-*

Answer 1

I don't know what oil you can directly swap palm oil with (other oil used must have the same sap number) - below is a recipe that uses oils that are easily available -

*Rachael's "Tried and True" Recipe (Thanks! to Rachael Levitan)

48 ounces Crisco (a 3-pound can)

21 ounces Soybean Oil (or Olive, Canola, or a blend of these)

18 ounces Coconut Oil

28 ounces of cold water

12 ounces lye crystals

Temperatures: 100 degrees

Trace by hand should be in about 20 minutes. Cure about 24-48 hours before cutting.

I got this one off Kathy Millers website - she also has a page with links to where you can design your own recipe and where to find ingredients.

Check out arab and whole food stores - the palm oil may be labeled as vegetable ghee  or organic veg. shortening

I can't get palm oil where i live so i used Rachel's recipe because all the oils in her recipe were available in my area.

Answer 2

There is alot of jargon in the naming of the mid-teen acids that wind up in soap esters.  Check for the nearest one and check Wikipedia or something for a source of it.