Instructions for How to Make Lye-Free Soap

Homemade lye-free soap is easy and fun to make.Microwave-safe mixing bowl Soap base Plastic wrap Microwave Fragrance oil Spoon Soap mold Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle

Lye is a chemical ingredient often used in homemade soap making. Lye is a tricky ingredient to use, however, as it can cause skin irritation or even skin burns if handled incorrectly during the soap making process. If you are new to making soap or would just prefer to avoid using lye in your soap, there are plenty of ways to make soap without lye. Simple ingredients and a simple melt-and-pour soap making method is a completely lye-free way to create homemade soaps for you and your loved ones.

Things You'll Need

• Soap base
• Microwave-safe mixing bowl
• Plastic wrap
• Microwave
• Fragrance oil
• Spoon
• Soap mold
• Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle

Instructions

1. Break the soap base up into small pieces (this can be done by hand) and place them into the mixing bowl.

2. Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap.

3. Place the mixing bowl into the microwave and heat the soap base on high for one minute.

4. Remove the bowl from the microwave and remove/discard the plastic wrap.

5. Add 15 to 20 drops of fragrance oil to the mixing bowl.

6. Stir the fragrance oil into the soap base to thoroughly combine the ingredients as well as to aid in melting any unmelted bits of soap base.

7. Carefully pour the soap mixture into a soap mold.

8. Spray any exposed soap in the mold with rubbing alcohol to prevent air bubbles from forming.

9. Allow the soap to harden in the mold for two hours up to one day.

10. Remove the soap from the mold and store in an airtight container when not in use.

Tips & Warnings

• Specialty soap making supplies (soap base, fragrance oils, soap molds) can be purchased in soap making supply stores or online.

• Essential oils can also be used as fragrance for homemade soaps. Popular choices are lavender, citrus, tea tree oil and peppermint.

• Soap colorants can be purchased in soap supply stores and add color to homemade soaps, but food coloring works just as well and can be found right in your local grocery store.

• Be careful when working with hot soap base. It can burn the skin if it gets too hot and you have an accident.

References

• TeachSoap: Basic Melt and Pour Soap Tutorial