How to Make Organic Soap

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Line your box with your freezer paper or parchment paper.

   This will help release the soap when you are done making it.
2. 2

   Step 2: Wear your protective clothing.

   Lye will irritate and burn you if it comes in contact with your skin.
   
   Donning safety glasses, gloves and long sleeves and pants will help protect you from burns in case there are any splatters or spills while you are mixing the ingredients.
   
   The lye becomes neutralized by the oils in the recipe, making the soap safe to use. , Measuring the amounts of the ingredients will give you a more exact portion than doling out cups.
   
   You will need 6 ounces distilled water,
   2.25 ounces lye, 10 ounces olive oil, 6 ounces coconut oil and 1 tablespoon (0.45 ounce) castor oil.
   
   Pour the lye into your bowl, the water into one of your measuring cups and the oils into the other measuring cup. , Stir slowly to avoid spattering.
   
   The reaction of the 2 items mixing will create heat and fumes.
   
   Once integrated, set the mixture aside to cool.
   
   Lye automatically heats up to over 200 degrees and takes nearly 20 minutes to reach a temperature of 115 degrees. ,,, You want them to be within 20 degrees of each other, somewhere between 90–100 °F (32–38 °C).
   
   Rewarm the oils if necessary to get to this temperature. , Do this slowly, stirring constantly. , If you think you have blended enough, take the temperature of the mixture.
   
   The temperature should have risen a few degrees.
   
   This can take a few minutes with a blender or up to an hour with a whisk. , Cover.
   
   Let sit for 2 days. , It should be solidified.
   
   Remove the soap from the box and cut in into bars.
   
   If the soap has separated or is crumbly, discard it and do not use. , Turn the bars every day for 3
   - 4 weeks until they are dry. ,, To make sure you keep from being burned, it is best to wear your gloves and goggles until all your work area and utensils are clean from the lye. ,
3. 3

   Step 3: Measure your ingredients using the food scale.

4. 4

   Step 4: Add the lye to the water gradually.

5. 5

   Step 5: Melt the oils

6. 6

   Step 6: if necessary to bring them to liquid form.

7. 7

   Step 7: Warm the oils

8. 8

   Step 8: being careful not to get them too hot or you will have to wait for them to cool to proceed.

9. 9

   Step 9: Take the temperatures of the oils and the water/lye mixture.

10. 10

    Step 10: Mix the lye water into oils.

11. 11

    Step 11: Whisk or blend the mixture until it becomes the consistency of pudding.

12. 12

    Step 12: Pour the mixture into your lined box.

13. 13

    Step 13: Check the soap with your gloves on.

14. 14

    Step 14: Lay bars out flat to cure.

15. 15

    Step 15: Store your soap in a container that is ventilated.

16. 16

    Step 16: Clean up all soap-making areas with your protective clothing on.

17. 17

    Step 17: Finished.

Detailed Guide

About the Author