How to Combine Water and Lye to Make Homemade Soap

Making your own soaps gives you the chance to be creative and make pretty gifts for others. Although you must use caution when you use lye to make soaps so you don't burn yourself, this basic recipe will get you started making different variations.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lye with sodium hydroxide technical grade
• Protective gloves
• Distilled water
• Plastic spoon
• Olive, coconut and fragrant oils
• Dried flowers
• Food coloring
• Solid vegetable shortening
• Towel
• Glass or plastic container
• Stainless steel pot
• A soap mold

1. Put a cup of lye in a large glass bowl and add a cup of the water slowly. Stir with a plastic spoon until it is completely dissolved. Grease the soap mold with vegetable oil.

2. Combine equal parts of the olive or coconut oil and some vegetable shortening in a stainless pot to melt on the stove top. Add any fragrant oils you like. Cool until the mixture is at room temperature.

3. Pour the lye mixture into the stainless pot. Stir slowly. When the soap looks as though it is keeping a solid shape while drizzling from the spoon, add dried flowers and food coloring. Try not to let air bubbles form while you stir.

4. Put the gel into the mold and wrap with a towel. Leave it alone for a full 2 days, uncovering after the first day.

5. Wiggle the soap out of the mold and cut into shapes or bars. Wait a month before using.

Tips & Warnings

• Peppermint, sweet almond oil, cinnamon oil, orange oil, vanilla, rose and lavender oils all make pretty smelling soaps.
• Take care not to splash the lye while you're stirring. Wash immediately off skin if it comes in contact. Make sure to make the mixture in a well ventilated area.