How to Make Cold Process Soap

Making soap from scratch can be an arduous and sometimes dangerous process, but if you’re a seasoned soaper you know how much fun and creative making soaps can be. Soap making can turn into a small business, be added to your normal craft fair regimen or it can just be a hobby for creative gifts and family use. Soap making is a craft that requires patience and responsibility, but once you’ve mastered the basic soap making process, you’ll be able to challenge yourself with creative recipes and fun designs. Here’s how to make a basic and simple cold process soap right at home.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1 lb of coconut oil

• 1 lb of olive oil
• 3 lbs of lard

• 32 oz. Water

• 11.2 oz. Lye

• 1.4 oz. fragrance (Soap Crafters or another brand specifically made for soap making)
• 2 tbsp soap dye (optional, according to preference)
Assorted mixing bowls (preferably stainless steel)
Wooden spoon

• Pitcher

• Stick Blender (optional)
• Stainless steel spoon
• Candy thermometer
• Soap mold (should hold 7 pounds of soap)
• A scale (must be accurate to the 1/10th of an ounce) 

• Rubber gloves 

• Goggles 

• Apron

1. Line or oil your soap mold. Not all soap molds require lining or oil, so read the directions before prepping.

2. Put on your safety gear. Always wear protective eye wear, apron and gloves when handling lye.

3. Mix your lye. Place your pitcher onto the weight scale and weigh exactly 32 ounces of cold water in a plastic container. Slowly and carefully add your lye to the water. The lye will react immediately and gets very hot. Mix and set aside to cool.

4. Measure out all of the oils in the recipe and combine them in a mixing bowl. Once thoroughly combined, place on the stove and heat to 135 degrees. Monitor the temperature carefully using a candy thermometer.

5. Mix the lye and oils together. Once the lye has cooled to room temperature, it is safe to combine with the oils. Combine them and blend them to a light trace. If you’re hand mixing, you’ll need to mix for 45 to 60 minutes. If you’re using a stick blender it should only take about 5 minutes.

6. Add the fragrance. With a metal spoon, lightly blend your fragrance. Don’t use a wooden spoon for the fragrance mixing or your soap might seize.

7. If you’re using a soap dye, you can add it now. Mix the dye with a little water (about 2 tbsp) and quickly stir it into the soap. Mix only until the color is thoroughly combined.

8. Monitor your soap temperature. Your raw base soap needs to be between 110 and 115 degrees when you pour it into the mold.

9. Pour your soap into the mold and shake it gently so that that soap distributes evenly through the entire pan.

10. Cover and cure. Cover your mold, insulated, for 24 hours. After 24 hours the bars will still be warm to the touch, but solid enough to remove from the mold. You may now cut it into bars. Let to soap bars cure for 3 weeks before using or gifting.

Tips & Warnings

• If you’re soap doesn’t solidify after sitting for 24 hours, it could be because you’re measurements were off or you didn’t cook it long enough.

• * The measurements in this recipe need to be strictly adhered to, which is why you must use an accurate weight scale.

• * Fully cured soap should not burn the skin. If it does burn, the measurements and cook time were off.

• * Line or oil your mold before you begin any other steps.

• Use a candy thermometer to monitor the soaps temperature.

• Never use hot water to mix with lye, it will explode.

• When mixing the soap, do not stir constantly (especially with a stick mixer) because continuous mixing will cause the soap to explode.

• Lye solution is a very dangerous substance and should be handled with care. Don't breathe the fumes and always wear protective goggles and gloves when working with it.