How to Mix Soap Making Additives to Make Homemade Lye Soap

Homemade soaps can be fragrant, colorful or practical depending on the ingrediants. Create a variety of lye soaps to cater to the interests of the user by adding oils, herbs or coloring agents. Your homemade soap can be a one-of-a-kind creation with the proper information, technique and special additives.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Oil, tallow or lard
• Mixing pot
• Wooden spoon
• Food coloring
• Fragrant oils
• Herbs
• Oatmeal
• Gloves
• Protective glasses

1. Consult an expert soap maker to find out which herbs, essential oils or additives are good for lye soap. Some ingrediants change the color and fragrance of the soap when added to lye.

2. Wear protective clothing including long sleeved shirts, long pants, protective gloves and glasses when working with lye.

3. Use saponification charts to make sure you are mixing the right amounts of lye and oils to achieve the neutralization for lye soap.

4. Mix in the oils you have chosen to add first. There are many fragrant oils to choose from such as apricot, coconut, lavender or a non-fragrant natural tallow, shortening, vegetable or olive oil.

5. Heat oils on the stove to the exact same temperature as the lye mixture. Measure the exact amount according to the charts or recipe to properly neutralize the lye.

6. Add coloring at this time if you wish. Food coloring works as a coloring agent in soap. Add only a few drops to prevent the soap from turning your skin.

7. Make your lye soap to your specifications. Other ingredients such as herbs or even finely ground oatmeal can be added for extra texture and skin cleansing abilities.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do get some lye on your skin, put vinegar on it immediately, and then wash with soapy water to prevent burns.
• Avoid clumping and cooling by stiring the lye mixture with oils continually.
• Don't allow pets or children in the room when making lye soap. Lye is a dangerous chemical that can cause serious alkaline burns.