Have you always wanted to learn how to make soap? Well, then you have definitely landed on the right page. Because here you will find no less than a complete course on how to make natural homemade soap, using the cold process method. You will learn both from written instructions as well as from video.
Let’s get started.
Here is what you will need:
- Several glass containers: including two heat-resistant ones (like Pyrex glass dispenser or similar). These will be used to dissolve the caustic soda, a mixing your soap together.
- A precision scale, you will need to measure with one gram (or three decimal ounces) precision
- A spatula
- A stainless steel spoon or blender glass
- A thermometer that goes all the way to the boiling point of water
- A suitable mold to pour the soap in
Also good to have, but not entirely necessary:
- A microwave in case you are going to be using a fat that has solid form in room temperature.
- Vinegar, that will neutralize the corrosive effect of the caustic soda (lye) in case you should spill some of it.
Now, please watch this video for a walkthrough of all the utensils and ingredients in our basic recipe:
Handling the lye
It is important to remember that lye is very dangerous, so therefore you must protect all work surfaces (use old newspapers, rags etc.), wear gloves as well as other protective clothing with long sleeves. Eye protection is also a good idea.
You should wear gloves and protective gear when you clean the utensils you have used as well.
In the event you should spill some of the caustic soda on yourself or around you, immediately rinse thoroughly with vinegar and then with water.
Check the quantity of lye to be used accurately, according to the recipe you are using or with a lye calculator. If you use too much soda will make a harsh soap that irritates your skin, and too little soda will make the soap too soft or make the whole batch a failure.
Last but not least, keep animals and children away to prevent accidents.
How to make soap – getting started
When you mix the lye, always pour the soda in the water – never the other way around. This could cause a violent reaction spraying soda all over the place.
Be sure to work in a well ventilated room, outside or under a hood.
Important! When you are dissolving the soda there will be vapors above the container. Do not breathe these in or get them in the eyes.
Slowly pour the soda into the water, stirring gently. Don’t pour everything as once as this will cause lumps of soda.
Before you mix the soda with the oil, you must be patient and wait until all your ingredients are at the same temperature, typically around 95 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit (35 and 45 degrees Celcius). If you want to keep strictly to the temperature of your mixture using a thermometer.
Personally I do not mind to measure the temperature of my various ingredients with a thermometer. I’m waiting patiently from 20 to 30 minutes for my ingredients more or less at room temperature before mixing my oil + Soda. In doing so I never had any problems and I always got to know best.
While you are waiting, oil your molds for easy removal of your soaps!
Mixing fat and lye
Slowly pour your soda into your oil, never the opposite.
Using a blender is favorable, the trace will appear as soon as your dough will be more homogeneous soap and smooth. If you do not arm yourself with courage of course because the trace can take “hours” to get . You might also want to draft another arm working for you if you can
Be careful to leave the head of your mixer immersed in the soap paste, in order to avoid getting sprayed (I have made this mistake!), which I remind you is very dangerous.
The Trace is characterized by a thickening of the soap paste. Pulp remains a trace on the surface, but as can be clearly seen in the photo without a doubt the trace is there.
Do not wait too thick to track additions to your end, otherwise you end up with a completely frozen dough soap, hard and impossible to put into the mold.
Pouring into molds
After pouring your soap mixture into a mold, covering it with plastic keeps the mixture from being exposed to air.
Before removing from pan and cut your soap, it was not until they harden.This period can vary from 12 to 72 hours. During this period, the process of continuous saponification, as the heat helps, put your soap molds in a cooler, an oven or a heated room with a towel on top.
Cutting the soap
For finally cutting your soap, do not forget to wear gloves.
After about 3 to 4 weeks of curing time your soap should be ready. It will harden the water they contain will evaporate, they will melt more slowly on contact with water, they are also more foaming. So be patient!
During this time store your soap in a ventilated room, away from light, try to check on it regularly.
Never wrap your soap immediately after you cut it, they still contain too much water and can be ruined. Wait three weeks before doing so.
And there is is a quick but complete course on how to make soap. Enjoy and once you get the hand of the basics, don’t forget to try out some of our exciting and varied recipes.