How to Make Green Soap at Home

Natural, Green Soap

Green soap, also known as organic or natural soap, can be costly when purchased at health food stores or crafts fairs. Luckily, it is possible to make a high-quality, cold-press green soap right in your own kitchen. Green soap making does take practice in order to perfect the soap, achieving both a proper consistency and rich lather.

Things You'll Need

• 16 oz. olive oil
• 16 oz. coconut oil
• 16 oz. palm oil
• 7 oz. lye
• 16 oz. water
• 1/8 cup lavender essential oil
• Large stock pot
• 2 glass candy thermometers
• Glass measuring cup
• Soap molds
• Wooden spoon
• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles

Instructions

1. 

   Combine the lye and the water into a glass measuring cup. Do this in a well-ventilated area. Wear safety goggles and rubber gloves to protect your eyes and skin from lye and lye fumes. Place a glass candy thermometer into the lye water. Check the temperature of the lye water periodically. It is ready when the temperature reaches 110 degrees F.

2. 

   Combine the palm, coconut and olive oil in a stock pot while the lye is heating. Heat it over medium heat. Place a second glass candy thermometer into the stock pot. Once the temperature reaches 110 degrees F, it will be ready to remove from the heat and combine with the lye.

3. 

   Carefully pour the lye into the heated oils, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Add the essential oils into the mixture and continue to stir. Stir the mixture until the consistency resembles a thick pudding. This is called "tracing," and will indicate that the mixture is ready to pour into the soap molds.

4. 

   Carefully pour the mixture into soap molds. Leave the soap in the molds for at least 5 days. Then remove the soaps and place them in a cool, dark room. Let the soaps cure in the room for up to 6 weeks. The longer the soaps cure, the better the soap's lathering abilities will be.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep hot oils and lye away from children. Wear safety goggles and rubber gloves when handling lye.

Resources

• Soapmaking Recipes
• Soapmaking Supplies