How to Make Soap From Scratch

Soap making is an ancient craft that has been used by people for hundreds if not thousands of years. Making soap from scratch involves many of the same techniques that people used long ago, and produces a soap that contains natural ingredients--which is better to use on the skin than commercial soaps that contain harsh chemicals and perfumes. When making soap from scratch, it is important to follow each step very carefully.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 7 ounces of lye
• 3 cups of olive oil
• 3 cups of coconut oil
• 2 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon of essential oil of choice
• 1/4 teaspoon of natural powdered pigment
• Glass measuring cup
• 2 glass candy thermometers
• Wooden spoon
• Protective rubber gloves
• Protective goggles
• Large pot
• Soap mold, individual or rectangular

1. Heat and combine the lye and oils. In a well-ventilated area, combine the lye and the water in a glass measuring cup and place a glass candy thermometer into the cup. Wear protective goggles and gloves to protect your hands and eyes from the lye fumes. Do not breathe in the fumes. The lye will cause the water to heat up through a chemical reaction between the two.
   
   While the lye water is heating, combine the oils into a large pot and heat them over medium heat. Place another glass candy thermometer into the pot. When the oils and the lye water reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit, they will be ready to be combined.

2. Pour the lye water slowly into the oils, stirring the mixture constantly with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens into a loose, pudding-like consistency. This can take a while, but is necessary to the solidity of the soap. Add in the essential oil and the pigment to the mixture, and stir it in well. A small amount of essential oil and pigment goes a long way, so start out by adding only a little bit at a time, incorporating it well into the mixture.

3. Pour the mixture into soap molds. You can use either a long, rectangular mold or individual soap molds that will produce shaped soaps. A rectangular mold will produce many soaps that will be cut from the long rectangle after the soaps have hardened. Once poured, place the soap molds into an area that is cool, away from direct sunlight, and darkened for a good part of the day. The soaps must stay there for at least 6 weeks in order for the soap mixture to "cure," which will harden the soap and help it to lather well. Once cured, you can use your homemade soaps yourself or give them as gifts.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that the lye water mixture must be added to the oils--not vice versa,

References

• Soap Recipes
• Soap Pigments