Aleppo soap is traditionally made in Syria using methods that go back centuries.  This recipe is a version of that tradition that is modified to allow for some modern conveniences.

Aleppo soap is a traditional Syrian product that is made from olive oil and Laurel Berry Oil. If made in the original way it is made using hot process, but can also be made using the cold process method if you wish.

Ingredients:
Caustic Phase
129gm Caustic Soda (akaSodium Hydroxide) 
240gm Pure water

Oil Phase
250gm Laurel Berry Oil
750gm Olive Oil

Before making up your lye solution put on goggles that cover your entire eye area and gloves. Wear closed shoes. Sleeve protectors and an apron are optional.

Make up your lye in a well ventilated area as follows:
After weighing your water and sodium hydroxide into separate containers gently sprinkle the sodium hydroxide over the water while stirring gently. Continue stirring until the lye is totally dissolved.  Leave to cool.

Combine your olive oil and your laurel berry oil into the container (cold process) or pot (hot process) you will be using to make your soap.
Add your lye mix to your oils and stir until combined.  

Stick blend until trace is achieved and  mould cold processed soap.
If you are making hot process gently heat your soap and stick blend periodically until the mix resembles apple sauce.  Remove from the heat and spoon into your mould.  Bang the mould down several times to release air bubbles that may cause voids in your soap and smooth or texture the top as desired.

Allow to sit for 24 hours before unmoulding.  Cut as desired and allow to cure  for 8 weeks minimum but it will continue to improve as it ages right up to a year.

Should you wish to fragrance your soap essential oils can be added at the recommended usage rate, but traditional Aleppo soap is not fragranced.

This is a great use for your Laurel Berry Oil 

 Please test all recipes to ensure they meet your requirements.  No guarantee is offered for the performance of any recipe offered.

By Kerry Pearson 4 comment

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comments (4)

  • Kerry Pearson

    Hi Lori,
    Potassium hydroxide can be used either way. This recipe calls for sodium hydroxide.

  • Lori

    I thought that I had read somewhere that potassium hydroxide should be used for hot process.

  • Kerry Pearson

    Hot process is a method of soap making that essentially takes cold process to the next step and you heat it to complete saponification in the pot before moulding it. Once cool you unmould, cut (if required) and allow to cure

  • Margaret Allison

    Thank you Kerry for this recipe, I have been wanting to give this soap a try.
    Can you please tell me what hoe process is.

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