Simple Soap Making Recipe and Tips

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soap making Photo by Allie on Unsplash

For years I’ve wanted to try soap making. Every time we go to a farmer’s market or craft show and I see the beautifully hand-crafted soaps, I swoon and buy a couple but I really want all of them!

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So, this year I decided to give it a try. I’ve read a ton of different blog posts about soap making and picked up several great tips.

I started with a simple recipe from Oh the Things We’ll Make! I  didn’t want to put too much money into the different equipment, oils, and fragrance if this was going to be a flop or if it wasn’t something I really enjoyed. 

This recipe used extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil which was great because I had these on hand. Next, I ordered the lye and picked up some distilled water at the store. Then, I ordered a soap mold that had the cute soap cutters. 

Tips

soap making
  • Before starting the soap making process, get all the supplies ready.  The process I used was really pretty quick so having all the supplies ready took the stress out of it. 
  • When working with lye, use protective eyewear and wear a long sleeve shirt. When I was measuring the lye out, a few granules got on my skin and I mean like 3. Immediately I could feel it, like little hot shards burning into my skin. Maybe it was in my mind but I swear I could feel them.  
  • I should have worn a mask. Everyone recommends working with lye in a well-ventilated area. We had the back door open plus the kitchen window open. It wasn’t too stinky but as soon as we poured the lye into the water, there was a chemical reaction and it started smoking.  It was the weirdest thing. I took high school chemistry (a long time ago) but nothing beyond that so this was new to me. The bowl got really hot!! And it really smoked. I’m sure I inhaled some of it and I feel like I can still taste it in my mouth 24 hours later. 
  • Use a scale to measure ingredients, not just measuring cups and spoons. When working with lye, you want to be as precise as possible. In the early soap making days, lye soap burned. I was worried about using lye. I’d heard horror stories from my Granny, but with the correct precautions, it was fine.  
  • Avoid using aluminum bowls, pans, or utensils with lye-another chemical reaction. 
  • The lye water can get up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Don’t use a glass bowl. If it gets too hot, it will crack or break.
  • Vinegar neutralizes burns. This is up for debate but I kept some handy just in case. 
  • Pour the lye into the water and not the other way around. This way you can control it better and avoid splashes. Pouring it the other way can cause the lye to erupt like a volcano. 

What supplies are needed for soap making

Ingredients

Now,  to save money, you can use just about anything for a soap mold. When looking for soap recipes, I saw people use yogurt containers, the small fruit cup containers, and a milk carton (not the plastic kind). I wonder if you could use the box that Velveeta cheese comes in?! 

Also, some people use olive pomace oil. It’s less expensive and you will get white soap. I’m going to try this in my next recipe.

Why Does Soap Need to Cure? 

The distilled water is the “vehicle” for the lye. Lye is what causes the oils to turn into soap. The process is called saponification. While your soap sets or cures, the water will evaporate which hardens the soap. 

If you don’t want to work with lye, there are bases you can purchase where the lye process has already taken place, called melt and pour. From what I understand, you just add your essential oils and anything extra. 

Yall this was so much fun and I’m already on Pinterest looking for more recipes.

I’ve purchased a few more oils and I have planted some lavender. As soon as I can, I’m making lavender soap. 

Now the Bearded Rooster wants me to make beard oil and shaving soap. 

If you have any soap making recipes, I’d love for you to share them with me.

Poison control  1-800-222-1222

 

soap making
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Simple Soap Recipe

handmade simple soap recipe with 4 ingredients
Keyword handmade soap, soap making
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Curing Time 30 days
Servings 10 bars

Ingredients

  • 500 grams Olive Oil Extra Virgin or Pomace
  • 100 grams Cocunut Oil
  • 80 grams Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
  • 195 grams Distilled Water
  • 20 grams Essential Oil (optional) more or less depending on your preference

Instructions

  • Mix the lye into the water.
  • Mix your oils together. If coconut oil is in a solid-state, heat until melted. I melted it in the microwave in 30-second increments.
  • The lye mixture should be cool enough to handle, Pour into oil mixture.
  • Once you've mixed well, use your emulsion blender. Be careful not to splatter. Mix for several minutes until it starts to look like mayonnaise. You have now reached "trace."
  • Mix in essential oils and any other ingredients, ie oatmeal, rose petals, lavender leaves, or other exfoliants.
  • Pour soup mixture into molds. Tap gently to even out.
  • Cover soap mixture. If your soap mold did not come with a cover, wrap with a towel. Let set 24 hours.
  • After 24 hours, you can unmold soap and cut.
  • Let cure for 30 days. For the first week, flip your soap over each day. This will help your soap dry out. After that, flip weekly. I stored on a baking sheet and wrapped it in wax paper.

Published by carol

13 Replies to “Simple Soap Making Recipe and Tips”

  1. I’ve never tried making soap before, but I always assumed that it would be a much more challenging process than you outlined here. Seeing that it’s not nearly as complicated as I had assumed that it would be, I might just have to give it a try! After all, making our own products allows us to control what goes into it, right? Thank you!

  2. I’ve been contemplating making my own soap, but I also wasn’t sure if it was complicated or not. I’m so glad you mentioned not using glass or metal mixing bowls. I would have just grabbed an old one out of the cabinet and that would become my “project” bowl and replace it with a new one for the kitchen. I have a few of those around the house. It really does sound pretty easy, and now I want to give it a try myself. This would make a perfect holiday gift for friends and family.

    1. The process was very simple and didn’t take much time at all. I hope you give it a try and let me know how it turns out.

  4. Awesome experiment, I didn’t know about that chemical reaction either. Sounds like making soap is a lot easier and quicker than I would have thought, definitely something I could give a try. Soap is in more demand than ever!

    1. I’ve been wanting to try it for awhile and decided just to try it! It really was easy.

  5. Love this. what a great activity to try at home and also a very useful product to use at the end of it too x

  6. I have never made my own soap before and so found this article laying out the process really interesting. In particular, I appreciate your emphasis when dealing with lye to stay on the safe side. Nice to know that you are looking at creating Lavender next as that is a favorite of mine as well.

    1. I made some lavender soap last night but I won’t know how it turns out for a month!

  7. I’ve always wanted to make my own soap too, but didn’t want to go all out. You’ve inspired me! I think I’ll try making some to use as small gifts for this winter.

    1. This recipe was really easy and it is great soap! I use it every day. Now that I’ve got the first batch out of the way, I’m also thinking of making some for gifts.

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