How to Make Base Soap

Making your own soap begins with mixing and cooking the base. There are several methods of soap making. One process, called "cold pouring" or "cold processing," involves mixing lye with different types of fat and allowing it to render over heat. Once the base is made, you can add fragrances and coloring. Learning to make soap is not an easy process and there may be some trial and error involved, but the result will be something that you will be pleased to share with your family and friends.

Things You'll Need

• Goggles
• Rubber gloves
• Long-sleeve shirt
• Plastic container with lid
• Lye
• Wood or plastic stirring spoon
• Lard
• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Thermometer
• Fragrance
• Food coloring
• Plastic molds

Instructions

Lye Mixture

1. Protect yourself from the lye by putting on rubber gloves, a pair of goggles and a long-sleeve shirt. Work in an open space so that the fumes do not overwhelm you.

2. Place a plastic mixing container on a solid surface or table. The container must be plastic with no metal parts.

3. Add water to the container. When determining how much water you will need, use a three-to-one ratio: three parts water to one part lye. For example, if you are using 3 oz. of lye, adds 9 oz. of water.

4. Pour the lye into the water slowly so it does not splash.

5. Stir the solution with a wooden or plastic spoon. Cover the container and set it aside for 24 hours.

Making the Soap

1. Heat the lard and oils in a stainless-steel or enameled pan on a low flame, stirring occasionally.

2. Place a thermometer into the mixture once the lard has melted entirely. Ideally, the fat should be around 130 degrees before adding the lye.

3. Put your protective gear back on and pour the lye solution into the fat slowly. Stir with a wooden or plastic spoon as you pour.

4. Continue to heat the soap, stirring occasionally. The texture will begin to change after about five minutes to become rich and opaque.

5. Pour the finished soap into plastic molds of your choice and give the soap three to five days to cool.

Tips & Warnings

• To add some fragrance, choose a scent that works for you. This is the "cold process" method of soap making, so not all fragrances will work.

• To add some color, use basic food coloring from the grocery store. Separate your homemade soap into portions and make various colors. Experiment with the colors and have some fun.

• The quantity of lard and oils will depend on how much soap you make. Use approximately 5 oz. of each oil and 64 oz. of lard for every 7 oz. of lye. This should provide you with about 6.5 oz. of soap.

• Start with small batches until you perfect the method.

• You can substitute many different oils, such as hemp or canola oil.

References

• Teach Soap: Soap Making Methods
• The Farm: How to Make Soap