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More and more people are making their own soap today. It is fun and easy once you learn the basics and have at least one good recipe. You will need a few key ingredients and supplies to make good soap. Gather together everything before you even start. Such as but not limited to; a heat resistant glass bowl, plastic is alright, but not really recommend. A kitchen scale, a large stainless steel pot, stick blender and soap mold if you want and a food thermometer. Rubber gloves are always recommended, safety goggles are good when mixing the lye, and it can splatter up on you and can cause blindness. So be careful when using it. There are many soap recipes out there but we will focus on the main one. Then you can make up a variety of soaps that are pleasing.
Soap Recipe;
Lye- you cannot make soap without it, plain and simple. Make sure when buying he lye it is 100 % sodium hydroxide, any additive will affect your soap recipe.
Water- be sure to use only rain water or distilled water for the soap recipe.
Fat and/or oil- lard is the most common used fat in making soap. Some recipes will have coconut oil or olive oil as an ingredient; they give the soap its lather and moisturizing properties.
Fragrance- pick one that you love, like lavender or rose, there are many essential oils that will please the nose. You can also add abrasives such as seeds or oatmeal for exfoliating the skin.
Directions;
Following the recipe in measurements that are stated, measure the lye and water.
Melt the fat and the combined oils you have chosen.
Let the mixture cool a bit, again following the recipe.
Once the oils and mixture are the same temperature, blend them into the pot.
Blend until it is thick.
Then add the fragrance and exfoliating ingredients if you choose to use them.
Then pour into greased molds. Some recipes call for lining the molds or they can be sprayed with a non stick spray.
Some recipes will have you cover the molds and wrap them in blankets for about eighteen hours or so. Others leave out this step. And that is alright.
Then leave the mold open for a few hours and the soap is ready to cut.
Leave the soap out to dry for about two weeks to cure.
There you have the basic ingredients and directions for making your own soap. Try and experiment with different fragrances and even colors. How lovely lavender soap in a soft mauve color would look on your bathroom counter.
An important word of caution, please do not take this lightly. Lye is dangerous to work with to say the least. It is a highly caustic acid and will burn the skin easily. Do not come in direct contact with it. Use gloves and goggles, I don’t care if they look silly, they will protect your skin and eyes.
