How to Make Soap at Home

Decorative soaps

Making soap at home is a fun, useful practice that can save money and promote healthier skin, since the ingredients used are cost-effective and provide an all-natural alternative to store-bought products. Because manufactured soaps often contain petroleum-based detergents, artificial dyes for coloring and degreasers, they can be harmful to use. What's more, these soaps often don't carry the natural glycerins that moisturize the skin. As a result, making soap at home offers a viable solution. In fact, many people have made soap-making a hobby not only because it's enjoyable but also because they can create a practical cleaning product in an array of scents.

Things You'll Need

• 3 cups water
• Glass or enamel 2-quart saucepan
• Plastic gloves
• Goggles
• 12 oz. can of lye
• 3 lb. lard or 48 oz. olive oil
• Plastic 10-by-12 inch pan

Instructions

1. Refrigerate 3 cups of water overnight to ensure the proper temperature. Then pour the water into the 2-quart saucepan.

2. Put on the plastic gloves and goggles. Make sure there aren't any holes in the gloves.

3. Slowly add the lye, stirring carefully with a wooden or plastic utensil. Do not use a metal utensil, since it will get hot when the chemical reaction increases the temperature of the mixture. Do not breathe in or allow the vapors to contact skin.

4. Cool the mixture for at least 1 hour in a safe location. While it's cooling, unwrap the lard and warm it to room temperature in the plastic pan. Again, do not use metal. If using olive oil in place of the lard, pour into pan and allow it to settle.

5. Slowly pour the lye mixture into the pan containing the lard or olive oil, being careful not to let it splash or come in contact with skin. Mix the lard thoroughly for at least 15 minutes until it has the consistency of thick pudding.

6. Allow the solution to set for 24 hours. After it has hardened, cut into bars or large chips. Let the mixture harden for several more days, and then wrap with plastic. If you used the olive oil in place of the lard, allow the mixture to harden for approximately 1 week, and wrap with plastic.

Tips & Warnings

• Fragrances such as flowers and spices can be added during Step 3 if desired. Use sassafras stems to stir the lye into the water. The properties of this fragrance prevent attack from insects such as mosquitoes.

• Lye is very dangerous and can cause severe damage to skin, lungs and eyes. All safety precautions with the material should be taken to prevent any possible health impacts. Ensure that the area the soap is produced is well-ventilated and the solutions are carefully secured. Refrain from having children present during the process for safety considerations.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Teach Soap: Making soap
• Tree Hugger: Easy soap making