How to make Homemade Soap
Ever thought of making homemade cold pressed soap and not sure where to start? Lucky for you, I've teamed up with my master soap maker Daisy Barn Creations (Aka my lovely Aunt) for all of her tips and tricks on how to make the freshest and prettiest soaps.
I know this is a deviation from my usual food content, so hopefully you didn’t read the title as “homemade soup”! This recipe uses lye (sodium hydroxide) which is certainly not ingestible, but is luckily removed from the soap via the curing process. Curing soap for 4-6 weeks also helps it to maintain its structure in water.
This particular mold and recipe was made for guests at Baby Maul’s baby shower and was a big hit! You will see most of the ingredients are in their natural state with minimal added chemicals. You can have some customization by adding your own flair with the coloring and the type of essential oils you use. See the links below for videos, safety, and where to purchase all the goods. Safety is important here, because mixing Lye with aluminum can release hydrogen gas, which as you may guess, is not the goal!
Ingredients:
Olive Oil 9.6 oz
Coconut Oil 9.6 oz
Palm Oil 9.6 oz
Castor Oil 1.2 oz
Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) 4.34 oz
Distilled Water 9.71 oz
Chromium Oxide 1/2 teaspoon mixed with 1 tbsp of olive oil (this gets your green coloring)
Essential Oil of your choice (Peppermint, eucalyptus, grapefruit, orange ect.) 1 oz
Materials:
Safety Gear & Procedures
Goggles to protect eyes
Gloves to protect skin from any burns when using the Lye
Long sleeves, pants and closed toed shoes, option to wear an apron
In a well ventilated room and make sure pets and kids are in a different room
Do not use any an aluminum tools
Other Materials
Heat safe Medium Container (to mix the Lye in)
Large Heat Safe container to mix the soap in
Stirring utensils (silicone or wooden)
Whisk
Stick blender
Thermometer
Measuring Scale
Soap Mold (Silicone, no glass containers)
Step 1:
Lye Safety: Watch this video first, before you start!
Guide to Lye Safety: https://bberry.studio/BeginnerLyeSafety
Step 2: Prep your space. Make sure your are is covered with either newspaper, cardboard or an old wooden cutting board. A space where you don’t mind getting damaged.
Step 3: Prep your ingredients:
Prep Lye water first. Measure out water and then add the measured Lyle. Slowly mix the Lye into the water. Set aside to let cool. the mixture must cool to 120-130 degrees fahrenheit. Always mix the Lye slowly to your water, do not add your water to the Lye.
Step 4: Mix all your oils together. Make sure they are in liquid form. If your coconut oil is a solid, place in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
Step 5: Mix your Chromium Oxide with the olive oil in a small container. Set aside.
Step 6: Measure out your essential oils in a small container.
Step 7: Mix Lye water and your oils. Pour slowly either down the side of the bowl or the shaft of your stirring utensil.
Step 8: Using your stick blender, stick it at the very bottom first then slowly rotate it around until the mixture begins to emulsify. The coloring should start to get thicker and whiter. 60-90 seconds to mix and should resemble a cake batter
Step 9: Add in your essential oils, slowly stirring in until fully mixed.
Step 10: Set out your molds and add ¾ of your white soap mixture first. Add in your Oxide (green coloring) on the top and swirl it around with a wooden stick or a small silicone spatula. To recreate the peaks in the soap, make divots with your spatula at the top of the mold.
Step 11: Leave in the molds for at least 2 days before you remove it. If it starts to come out easily it is ready to cut.
Step 12: Let curate for at least 6-8 weeks before using or giving away as a gift!
Where do I buy the products?
https://www.voyageursoapandcandle.com
Molds:
Have questions? You can email hello@jenelledae.ca and we support you in your soap making journey!
*Jenelle Dae resumes no responsibility or liability for any errors, injuries or omissions in the content of this blog post.
