How to Make Homemade Soap Lather

You can create a successful batch of lathery soap.

Making homemade soap is a work of art, and many people have a difficult time creating a batch of soap that not only remains solid, but lathers well. Soap makers know tricks and techniques that will ensure that they have a successful product. Fortunately, by following a few specific soap making techniques, you can create a soap that will produce a rich, foamy lather. These techniques may take practice to produce a lathery soap.

Things You'll Need

• 32 oz. coconut oil
• 16 oz. palm oil
• 2 glass candy thermometers
• Pot
• Plastic eye wear
• Plastic gloves
• 16 oz. water
• Glass measuring cup
• 8 oz. lye
• Long-handled spoon
• 1 tsp. essential oil
• Rectangular soap mold
• Butcher knife

Instructions

1. 

   Add coconut oil to increase the lathering capacity of your soap.

   Select the proper ingredients and heat them gradually to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Coconut oil is known for its ability to produce a rich, lathery soap. In a pot, combine 32 oz. of coconut oil and 16 oz. of palm oil. Place a glass candy thermometer into the pot, clipping it to the side. Heat the oils over medium heat until the temperature reaches 110 degrees. While the oils are heating, put on plastic gloves and goggles. Pour 16 oz. of water into a glass measuring cup and then slowly pour in 8 oz. of lye. The lye will heat up once it is combined with water. Place another glass candy thermometer into the cup to measure the temperature, which will need to be 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. 

   Combine the ingredients when their temperatures are 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

   Combine the ingredients once they reach exactly 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the mixture will harden and will produce a rich lather. Pour the lye water into the oils and then use a long-handled spoon to stir the mixture. Add in 1 tsp. of your favorite essential oil to scent the soap mixture. Keep stirring for 30 minutes, which will cause the mixture to resemble pudding in consistency. Pour the mixture into a long, rectangular soap mold.

3. 

   Allow the soap to cure for at least 10 weeks.

   Cure the soap for at least 10 weeks. Curing the soap for a longer period of time will cause the soap to lather more readily and will create a harder soap. Locate a room in your house that is away from sunlight and heat, and store the soap mold in the room for 10 or more weeks. After this time, remove the soap bar from the mold and use a sharp butcher knife to slice it into 1-inch-thick pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep lye out of reach of children.

• Avoid breathing in caustic lye fumes.

References

• Teach Soap: Easy Cold Process Soap Recipes for Beginners
• Cranberry Lane: Making Natural Soap from Scratch