How to Make Homemade Soap
Gather the Supplies
To begin, you will need a few supplies to make your homemade soap. You will need lye, distilled water, a pot, a thermometer, a mold, and some oils. You can find lye at most hardware stores. Find a pot made of stainless steel, cast iron, or enameled. You can find the molds at craft stores. Finally, you will need some oils. You can use any combination of vegetable, animal, or mineral oils, such as olive, coconut, or almond oil.
Mix the Lye and Water
Start by pouring the lye into a container. Slowly add the distilled water while stirring. The lye and water will heat up and release fumes, so be sure to work in a well-ventilated area. Let the mixture cool to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit before moving on.
Mix the Oils
In a separate pot, mix the oils together and heat them to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature is important, so use a thermometer to make sure it is accurate.
Combine the Mixtures
Once both mixtures have cooled, slowly add the lye mixture to the oil mixture while stirring. You will need to continue stirring until the mixture thickens and turns a light yellow color. This process can take up to an hour.
Pour into the Mold
Once the mixture has thickened, you can pour it into the mold. Make sure the mold is lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Let the soap cool and harden in the mold for at least 24 hours before removing it.
