I’ve always been intrigued by soap making. What used to be a regular household activity now seems complex, leading most people to just buy soap. Unfortunately, many store-bought soaps are loaded with additives, antibacterial substances, and artificial scents.
I started making my own soap when I realized it was a much cheaper and all-natural option. I purchase ingredients in bulk, allowing me to produce 12-18 large organic soap bars for less than $10, compared to buying them for four to five times that price.
Some folks are hesitant to try soap recipes that involve Lye, but I think this fear often stems from misunderstandings. Lye, or Sodium Hydroxide, is indeed dangerous by itself—it can cause skin burns, eye damage, and even be fatal if ingested. It’s highly alkaline and requires careful handling during its use.
In soap making, Lye acts as a reagent, meaning it participates in a chemical reaction to create something new. By mixing a measured amount of water and Lye with natural oils, a process called saponification occurs, converting them into soap. Properly made soap contains no leftover Lye. If you’re thinking of making soap, handle unreacted Lye with caution and use a soap calculator to get the ratios right, but don’t shy away from this age-old method.
Finding Lye can be tricky, as not all hardware stores stock it. I couldn’t find it locally, so I ended up ordering it online. If you have a non-chain hardware store nearby, they might help you order it.
Soap can be made using either hot or cold processing. Both methods use a water/Lye mixture blended with oils during saponification. Cold processing involves pouring the mixture into insulated molds. Hot processing includes “cooking” the mixture, speeding up saponification so the soap is ready in days instead of weeks. I’ve tried both, but the hot process is much quicker.
Making soap at home lets you use high-quality organic ingredients at a fraction of the cost of store-bought options. I used organic coconut oil and olive oil for a basic recipe, although you can use any natural oils. Use a soap calculator to determine the Lye and water needed for your chosen oils.
You can get creative with ingredients. Once picked, use the calculator to find out the precise amounts of water and Lye required. In one recipe, I combined olive oil and coconut oil equally, but you could use just coconut oil or just olive oil for a pure Castile soap, which is moisturizing but takes longer to cure.
I keep a set of separate equipment for soap making, all sourced from a thrift store and stored with my soap ingredients. Although many sources say you can use regular kitchen tools as long as they’re thoroughly washed afterward, I prefer having dedicated equipment to keep things simple and avoid any mess.
Ever tried making soap? How did it turn out? Feel free to share your favorite recipes in the comments!
