If you don’t have a kitchen scale, you can purchase one in the kitchen or housewares section at a local department store, or you can order one online through major retailers. Any container, utensils, molds, or pitchers used to measure or make the soap should not be used to work with food. The contamination caused by the lye would not be safe for consumption.
If you have breathing problems or are concerned about breathing in the lye fumes while working with it, wear a respirator mask. You can purchase one at your local hardware store or online with major retailers.
Always add the lye second to the water. Pouring the water directly onto the lye will prematurely start the chemical reaction and heat up the lye. [5] X Research source
When mixed with water, lye can reach temperatures as high as 200 °F (93 °C). Even after you have let it cool down the solution will still be considerably hot—around 100–110 °F (38–43 °C). [7] X Research source
A similar product to coconut oil is babassu oil, which is a vegetable oil that comes from the babassu palm in South America. Use equal amounts of this oil if you are allergic to the coconut oil, or if you want to try something different.
The coconut oil will be hot, so be careful when mixing it with the other oils.
The temperature of the oils and lye solution should be around 100–110 °F (38–43 °C). Use a stainless steel thermometer to check this before mixing the two solutions. If the oil temperature is lower, heat in the double boiler until the temperatures are about the same. [11] X Research source
If you do not have a stainless steel spoon or one with a long enough handle, use an immersion blender in the off-position to gently mix the ingredients.
Add in a dash of cosmetic clays to change the soap color to pink, green, or white. Use a couple of drops of milk, cane sugar, or honey to give the soap a warm caramel color. For more vibrant colors, use the petals or leaves from your favorite flowers or herbs. For example, alkanet root will give the soap a purple hue and spinach leaves make the soap green. Herbs suitable for using in soap that are both beautiful in appearance/texture and good for your skin include: Calendula flowers (not to be confused with marigolds), geranium flowers, Irish moss, comfrey, carrot seed, and chickweed.
If there are multiple speed settings for your immersion blender, have it on the lowest setting. Quickly pulsating the solution will create unnecessary air bubbles in your soap batter. If you do not have an immersion or stick blender, you can purchase one at a local department store or online.
For soap making, thickened soap batter is called “trace. ” This means that the batter is thick enough for you to drip some onto the surface of the batter and have it remain on the surface. When a soap reaches this consistency, it no longer needs to be mixed and is ready to be poured into the mold.
Some common essential oils to add are vanilla, almond, lavender, lemongrass, geranium, or peppermint. Myrrh resin or frankincense essential oil are other suitable options for adding to soaps.
Consider getting a silicone mold that has a fun pattern or design on it to further personalize your homemade soap. You can also use a loaf mold that is not sectioned off and just cut the soap into individual bars later. [18] X Research source Avoid using muffin tins or baking pans as the soap batter will most likely ruin the tins and the soap. [19] X Research source
Use freezer paper over standard wax paper, as freezer paper is thicker and the wax paper might melt against the heat of the soap batter. You can also use parchment paper.
Soaps that use a higher ratio of water to olive oil will only need to be cured for 4-6 weeks instead. [23] X Research source If you used a loaf silicone mold, use a knife to carefully cut the loaf of soap into 4 equally sized bars before curing them. [24] X Research source
