Banana or plantain skin’s and leaves ( Or substitute it for cocoa pods)
PROCEDURE:
You will need to dry the skin’s and peels. This is easily done by sun drying or get a low fire going and place the skins and peels on a net. Leave this in the grill with the cover on for an hour or so. This should roast them to the point at which they are dry and crumbly. Continue roasting until they are dark ash.
Place ¾ of the ash into a 5 gallon plastic bucket or use stainless steel or glass , just don’t use aluminium or copper, as lye will react with these materials. Add enough rain water or distilled water to fill the bucket to within a few inches from the top. Cover your container securely so there is no danger of pets or children getting into it.
After a few days you can check to see if it’s ready . Please use gloves and eye protection, as the lye may be caustic at this point. To check for doneness, drop an egg into the water, if it sink, it needs a bit more time. If it floats just below the surface, it’s ready . If it floats on top , add some more water as thus indicates it’s too strong.
When the lye is ready, use a mesh strainer to get out the biggest pieces of ash or break up the ashes and stir well and scoop out when you need it.
NOTE at this stage you have produce LYE. Make sure you use gloves and eye protection and keep vinegar on hand to neutralize any lye spills.
STAGE 2
1 cup Shea butter
1 cup Olive oil
1 cup coconut oil
½ cup safflower or sunflower oil
Melt the Shea butter with the oils
Wearing gloves and eye protection, fill a stainless steel stock pot about ½ full with your lye mixture. Heat on medium low , start adding a cup of the mixed oils at a time, stirring well. Let it simmer for 10 minutes or so . The soap mix will probably be dark tan with black flecks. Keep adding a cup of oil at a time, stirring well, until it starts to look thick and creamy . You will notice some solid soap starting to form on the inside edge of the pot . When you see this , it time to pour it into moulds.
If your mixture is very thick you may need to press it into moulds. Once your soap is in the mould cover it with wax paper and let it sit for a day or so
When the soap is semi hard cut it into bars and let them cure for few weeks.
The end product will be soft , but will be parked full if nutrients that will be good for your face, body and hair.
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