How to Make Homemade Lye Soap

Creating homemade lye soap is not as difficult as it seems. While the list of steps may seem daunting at first, making homemade lye soap is a skill that can prove useful and profitable in the future. As the maker of the soap you are able to choose what goes into it and the possible scent additions are endless. The following instructions are for making bars of lye soap to be used as bath or hand soap.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lye
• Vegetable or olive oil
• Cast iron or enamelware kettle
• wooden spoon
• Glass or stoneware bowl
• glass cake or bread loaf pan
• cold water
• sharp knife (such as a butcher knife) for slicing
• essential oils (optional)
• Candy thermometer
• Plastic wrap

1. Pour 5 cups of purified water into a glass or stoneware bowl and slowly add one can of lye. Set aside to let cool.

2. While the lye mix is cooling, place kettle on stove and stir in 20 cups of olive oil over low heat until kettle is warm or contents reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You can test the temperature with a candy thermometer if you have one. Remove from heat. You may add essential oils at this point if so desired.

3. Slowly add the lye mix and stir carefully and constantly until it begins to become opaque and thick. This will take several minutes of hand stirring. The mixture should look smoother and more pudding like when you are finished.

4. Pour mixture into cake or bread loaf pans and cover with plastic wrap or cheesecloth, letting it set overnight or at least 8 hours. Pop out of pans and slice to desired size and thickness. Wrap finished soap in plastic wrap or brown paper and let it "cure" for at least a month before you use it.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a window open or a fan going when working with the lye, as its fumes can be harmful.
• Keep pets and children away from work area at all times.
• Do not put your face directly over the container when mixing the lye.
• Do not use metal containers or utensils when working with lye.

[Butterfli]

on 1/31/2009 Okay, this will be a great how-to for anyone desiring to make lye soap! 5*