How to Make Soap at Home: Instructions for Beginners

October 15, 2022 Abraham Smith

Incorporating ingredients like goat milk and shea butter creates a creamier, more luxurious finish. These naturally lavish additives will treat you to a welcome eco-conscious indulgence.

The best part? Unlike liquid soap, bar soap does not require packaging. So go, plastic-free! If you are planning to give away your soaps, opt for biodegradable paper or even decorations instead of packaging. Petals, dried fruit and natural twine make for a beautiful presentation.

How to make soap at home

ingredients

lye
water
Essential oils of your choice

instructions

1. Mix the lye

Soap making requires a chemical reaction. Known as saponification, this process involves the mixing of water and lye (also known as sodium hydroxide). Lye is a powerful substance, so be careful when using it!

Pour your lye into the water. It is important to ensure that the lye is poured into the water and not the other way around as the mixture could heat up too quickly and be dangerous to work with.

As soon as the lye and water meet, the mixture heats up and creates strong fumes (for this reason it is important to carry out this work in a ventilated area and to wear gloves and safety glasses to avoid injury). This mixture will form the basis of your homemade soap and will need to be left outside to cool – you’ll need its heat to measure around 100 degrees.

2. Measure your scent

Now for the fun part! Your soap’s scent will come from essential oils of your choice, so get creative and don’t be afraid to mix and match. Measure these oils into a bowl and set aside. Start with a few teaspoons and work your way up. It’s best to avoid overly scented soap as it can cause skin irritation or general discomfort.

3. Prepare your mold

The shape of your soap is entirely up to you! Using a mold can add fun shapes or textures to your soap, while a brownie or loaf pan will keep it even and square. Either way, make sure to line your mold with parchment paper to avoid sticking.

4. Melt and mix the oil

Once your lye mixture has cooled and your mold is ready, it’s time to melt the oil. Once your oils have been weighed and measured, heat them on the stovetop on low to create an aromatic and moisturizing base for your soap. Heat to 100 degrees.

Once you have reached the mentioned temperature, remove from heat and slowly pour in the lye. Stir for 3-5 minutes – your mixture should become thicker and creamier.

5. Add your extras

The sky is the limit here. Add extras like oatmeal, dried flower petals, or natural scrubs like coffee grounds or raw sugar. Each of these additives has its own benefits, so do your research to find what appeals to you.

6. Pour your soap

Now that your soap has been thoroughly mixed, pour it into the mold of your choice to set. You should cover your mixture with a lid to keep it airtight. To ensure your soap stays warm enough to continue saponifying, wrap it in a towel or similar material for insulation.

Leave the soap untouched in this mold for about 24 hours to fully harden.

7. Cut and cure

Once the soap has set, remove from the mold and cut to desired size and shape. This step can be done with either a knife or thick, sturdy wire.

Now the patience part: Set your soap out on a rack and let it air cure for about four weeks. This process takes time, but it’s definitely worth it: the longer your soap sets, the longer it will last.

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