Soap Making 101
Step1
Dissolve 12 oz. lye in 32 oz. softened water in a plastic or glass bowl. If at all possible, do this outside or under an exhaust fan.
Step2
Add the lye to the water, not vice versa. Pour the lye slowly and in a steady stream, and stir constantly with a plastic spoon.
Step3
Set the mixture aside to cool. The mixture will heat up considerably due to the lye reacting with fats in the oils. This is called saponification.
Step4
Melt 24 oz. coconut oil and 38 oz. solid vegetable shortening in a stainless steel pot.
Step5
Add 25 oz. olive oil (not virgin) and any fragrance oils you want to use.
Step6
Allow the oils to cool.
Step7
Grease the soap mold with Crisco.
Step8
When both the oil and lye mixtures have cooled to room temperature, slowly combine them, adding the lye to the oils.
Step9
Stir slowly and constantly. If you see bubbles, stir more slowly.
Step10
Drizzle the soap into the pot once in a while. When it keeps its shape momentarily before sinking into the rest of the mix (tracing), it's time to add whatever extras you want.
Step11
Stir your botanicals, grains and coloring into a cup of soap taken from the mix.
Step12
Combine that back into the original mixture.
Step13
Pour the soap into the mold.
Step14
Wrap the mold in a towel and leave it undisturbed for 18 hours. The soap mixture will heat up and then cool down. Avoid uncovering it until it's cooled.
Step15
Allow the soap to sit in the uncovered mold for another 12 hours.
Step16
Loosen the sides by wiggling the mold a little.
Step17
Turn the mold over onto a clean counter.
Step18
Cut the soap into bars with a knife. Some people use a miter box to make square corners.
Step19
Allow the bars to cure for three to four weeks before using. Smaller bars cure faster than larger ones.
Additives
Step1
Mix candle coloring into the oil solution. If it's wax-based, melt it first in a couple of tablespoons of oil and then add it to the rest of the oil mix.
Step2
Realize that you can also use crayons for coloring. Experiment with colors. Note that purples are very difficult to keep true.
Step3
Use 1 tsp. per pound of soap of the following ingredients: cocoa powder for brown, cayenne pepper for pink-peach, liquid chlorophyll for light green, turmeric for yellow, paprika for peach and titanium dioxide for white.
Step4
Use 1 oz. essential oil to scent a 4-lb. batch of soap.
Step5
Know that 2 tsp. ground cloves makes a great-smelling soap. Try grated orange or lemon peel or ginger, too.
Step6
Use rose water instead of regular water for rose soap.
Step7
Oatmeal makes a great complexion soap. Use 8 oz.
Step8
Add 4 oz. cornmeal for a gritty texture.
Step9
Make soap with 1/2 oz. geranium oil for dry skin.
Step10
Use tea tree oil - 1/2 oz. - for problem skin.
Comments
lbtddr said
on 10/5/2008 Candle colors are not a good idea you never no if they are skin safe. Never use homemade soaps for one week at least better to let it set for four to six weeks be very careful about the weight have a good scale before trying.
from www.soapnbath.com
carolwebb said
on 8/16/2007 I always keep a small amount of white vinegar handy when I'm mixing Lye. Just dab the spot if you do splash.
soaps said
on 1/22/2007 We seem to be having problems with the amout of water needed. As well as the first 2 steps.Can you please help by explaining more throughly ? Too get back to us please write to .... rosme123@aol.com and/or babybutterfly_55@hotmail.com
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 Candle colorants are not always skin-safe and should never be used in soap. Skin-safe colorants can be purchased online and can sometimes be found at stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby.
Soap making is a fantastic hobby. Do your research, learn everything you can about what properties different oils add, and then have fun!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When working with lye, the first line of defense is to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and forearms, an apron to protect clothing and body, and goggles to protect your eyes. Although rare, accidents do happen and when you least expect. Never feel so confident around lye and remember to mark your lye packaging as poison. Especially if you buy it in bulk and store it common-looking household containers.