HOMEMADE SOAP
MAKE IT
SAFETY NOTE
WORKING WITH LYE Lye is a dangerous
chemical that can cause severe burns.
Soapmaking requires protective gear
including rubber gloves, long sleeves and
pants, closed-toe shoes, and safety glasses.
Work in a well-ventilated area with no
children or pets around.- Solid oils (like coconut oil)
- Liquid oils (like olive or
canola oil) - Kitchen scale
- Distilled water
- Heat-resistant
glass pitcher- Lye
- Quart canning jar
- Thermometer
- Immersion blender
- Soap mold
14 DO IT YOURSELF Winter 2020
MATERIALS
Step 1 Choose your oils. Measurements will
vary depending on the oils you pick, so
find a good formula online and base
your measurements on that.
Step 2 Measure the distilled water into a glass
pitcher and weigh the lye in a separate container,
using a kitchen scale for precision. In a well-
ventilated area, pour the lye into the water and stir
until dissolved. Caution: The solution will heat up
and produce fumes, so stand back while stirring
and take care not to inhale the fumes. Allow the lye
solution to rest and cool while you prepare the oils.
Step 3 Using a microwave or a double-boiler, melt
the solid oils. Measure and mix them with the liquid
oils in the quart canning jar. When the lye solution
has cooled to about the same temperature, pour
the lye into the oils. Blend until the mixture reaches
a creamy texture. Add color or fragrance if desired.
TIP: Stir in the color first, as some fragrances can
cause the mixture to harden quickly.
Step 4 Pour the mixture into the mold and tap it
on the counter a few times to break up any air
bubbles. Let the soap sit for 24–36 hours. When
it’s hard enough to cut, remove the soap from the
mold and slice it into bars. Let the soap cure four
to six weeks before using.
TIP: To prevent soda ash (a harmless chemical that
forms and creates an ashy appearance on the soap),
spray soap surface with rubbing alcohol shortly
after the soap has hardened slightly in the mold.