Soap For Beginners
This is a perfect soap recipe for beginners. With step-by-step instructions and simple ingredients, you'll soon have a luxurious bar of homemade soap for cleansing and moisturizing delicate skin.
Servings: 6 bars of soap
Equipment
- saucepan or double boiler
- Heat-resistant glass jar or container
- soap molds I love these silicone molds
- Protective gear (gloves, goggles, long-sleeved shirt)
- Non-reactive stirring utensil
- Vinegar for neutralizing lye, in case of spills
Ingredients
- 8 oz Lard
- 5 oz Shea butter
- 2 oz Coconut oil
- 1 oz Castor oil
- 6.08 oz Water
- 2.15 oz Lye
- 1 oz Vanilla bean fragrance oil optional
Instructions
- Use a digital scale to weigh the lard, shea butter, coconut oil, and castor oil, then add them to a small saucepan or double boiler.
- Heat the mixture over low heat until fully melted then remove from heat.
- Measure the water into the heat-resistant jar.
- Wearing protective gear, gradually add the lye to the water, stirring continuously with a non-reactive utensil until dissolved. Be cautious as the lye will heat up fast and emit toxic fumes. Set aside in a safe location to cool.
- Cool both the oils and lye solution to approximately 100°F. Aim for both to be within 10 degrees of each other.
- Slowly add about a quarter of the lye solution to the melted oil mixture and blend with an immersion blender. Continue adding the lye solution gradually until all of it is incorporated and the soap mixture reaches a light trace. (see step by step pics above)
- Add the fragrance oil to the soap mixture. Mix until you reach medium trace.
- Pour batter into molds. Use a butter knife to level off the tops for a smooth finish.
- Allow the soap to set in the molds for 24 hours or until hardened. Once hard, remove the soap from the molds and set them on their ends to cure.
- Leave the soap to cure for 5-6 weeks before using.
Notes
Note: This recipe yields approximately 6 soap bars with the specified mold size.
This recipe is made with a 5% superfat. If you want to modify any of the ingredients, you will need to recalculate the measurements using a soap calculator.
I’ve included step-by-step images in the post above for visual guidance. If you would rather watch, I’ve included the complete step-by-step video tutorial here in the recipe card!
Be sure to wear safety gear such as gloves and protective eyewear like safety goggles.
Mix lye in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
Use heat-resistant and non-reactive equipment and containers.
Keep children and pets far from the crafting area.
Gently pour the lye into the water; do not pour water into the lye, as this can cause the lye to erupt out of the container.
Neutralize spills with vinegar, then rinse thoroughly with water.