How To Make Cold Process Soap

Making your own soap at home is fun and allows you to create 100% natural soap. Cold process soap making is a method that involves mixing lye (sodium hydroxide) and fats or oils together to create soap. While the process may seem intimidating at first, with a little bit of knowledge and the right equipment, anyone can make their own soap.

Before getting started, it is important to understand that lye is a caustic substance and should be handled with care. Always wear protective gear, such as gloves and safety goggles, when working with lye.

To make cold process soap, you will need the following equipment:

• Digital scale
• Stick blender
• Heat-resistant container for mixing lye and water
• Heat-resistant container for melting fats or oils
• Thermometer
• Soap mold

Ingredients:

• Lye (sodium hydroxide)
• Water
• Fats or oils (such as olive, coconut, or palm oil)
• Optional: fragrance or essential oils for scent, and colorants

Instructions:

1. Measure out the lye and water using a digital scale. The ratio of lye to water will vary depending on the type of fats or oils you are using. A common ratio is 1 ounce of lye to 3.5 ounces of water. Mix the lye and water in a heat-resistant container, stirring until the lye is completely dissolved. Set the mixture aside to cool.
2. Measure out the fats or oils using a digital scale. Melt the fats or oils in a heat-resistant container, using a thermometer to ensure that the temperature does not exceed 120°F.
3. Once the lye and fats or oils have cooled to around 110°F, it’s time to mix them together. Slowly pour the lye mixture into the fats or oils, using a stick blender to mix the two together. Keep blending until the mixture reaches “trace,” which is when it thickens and leaves a trail on the surface when drizzled from the blender.
4. At this point, you can add any fragrance or essential oils and colorants. Stir well.
5. Pour the mixture into a soap mold and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow the soap to sit for 24 hours to harden.
6. After 24 hours, remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars. Allow the bars to cure for 4-6 weeks before using them.

Congratulations, you’ve made your own cold process soap!

Note: This is a simple guide, there are many variations and techniques, you can use different oils, add ingredients like herbs, clays, milks and more. Also, the curing time can vary depending on the recipe and the size of your bars.

Please be sure to properly research and educate yourself on the proper handling, safety precautions, and all aspects of making soap before attempting to make your own.