STEP 2: PREPARE MOLDS
Determine which molds you want to use; almost anything can be utilized as a
mold, and the soap you make can look as plain or as decorated as the mold you use.
Candy or gelatin molds will make intricately designed soaps, but even a cardboard
tube or PVC pipe will suffice (the soap can be removed in a cylinder and sliced into
bars). Cardboard milk and juice containers are great for making plain, square soap,
because they are coated with wax, and the solidified soap can be easily removed. If
you want to use an untreated cardboard or wooden box, the soap can be cut into
squares when it is removed. Line the mold with wax paper, so that the soap can be
easily removed after it has set. (If you are using a non-porous material, such as glass
or plastic, you may be able to simply grease the mold with cooking spray, and avoid
the lining procedure, if you like.) Make sure that you have enough molds prepared to
accommodate all of the soap mix – you don’t want to be scavenging for more molds
while the soap is beginning to set in the kettle.
STEP 3: MEASURE YOUR INGREDIENTS
To accurately measure the fat and lye amounts you’ll need, look up the
saponification value of the fats being used in the soap. The saponification value of a
fat is the amount of lye required to saponify a given amount of that type of fat or oil.
In the cold-process method, measurements must be exact in order to ensure full
neutralization of the lye and fats. This step is vitally important. Incorrect
measurements will result in excess lye, which can cause burning and irritation of the
skin, or excess fats, which will leave skin feeling greasy. Often, soap makers will use a
formulation that allows for some excess fat, but that depends on the preferences of the
soap-maker, and the type of skin for which the soap is intended.
Each fat or oil has its own unique saponification value, so always check before
measuring your lye. The saponification value given can also differ for different types
of lye (sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide), so it is important to know which
type of lye is being referenced with this value.
Measure oils and water using a measuring cup, placed on the digital scale. The
scale should also be used to measure the lye powder. (Don’t forget to “zero” the scale
- measure the container’s weight first, and then set that weight as zero. This way you
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