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Pour 6 oz. of water into a glass or metal container and slowly stir in 2 oz. of sodium hydroxide (lye) with a wooden spoon or a spatula until completely dissolved. The solution will get very hot upon mixing. Set aside in a safe place, preferably covered with a lid for extra safety.
Lye is a caustic solution, meaning it will burn your skin very badly on contact. Do not allow children to be anywhere near this project. Wear long sleeves and pants, gloves and safety glasses. Handle with extreme caution. The gases produced are also noxious so do this in a well-ventilated area. -
Put 16 oz. of pure olive oil in a double boiler or sauce pot and heat to 100 degrees, checking with a liquid thermometer. When the lye solution has cooled to approximately the same temperature, slowly pour the lye into the olive oil, being very careful not to splash or spill.
Your next step is to achieve what is called "trace" in soap-making. Trace is the consistency at which a bit of soap drizzled off of a spoon into the pot results in a visible trail. It is accomplished through stirring. Olive oil can take up to an hour to achieve trace when stirred by hand so you can speed the process up by using an electric mixer.
At this point you may add a few drops of essential oil or dried herbs for scent if desired. - Once you have achieved trace, pour the soap into molds greased with a small amount of olive oil or a large baking pan prepared the same way. Allow the soap to set for 72 hours. Turn the hardened soap out of the mold and cut into bars if needed. Cure the soap for four weeks in a cool, dry place.
