Making your own soap not only allows you to control the ingredients but also offers a therapeutic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I love soaping because I enjoy working with the various oils, the way the fragrances fill the house, and diving deep into the fascinating chemical process. At its core, soap is created through a chemical reaction called saponification, where fats or oils are combined with an alkali (usually lye) to form soap and glycerin. This process can seem intimidating at first, but with careful preparation and attention to safety, anyone can create beautiful, custom soaps.
- Safety First: Before diving into the world of soaping, it’s crucial to prioritize safety. Lye can be caustic and requires careful handling. Always wear gloves and goggles, and work in a well-ventilated area. Keep vinegar nearby as it can neutralize lye spills.
- All soap recipes are listed in ounces by weight
- See below for some of my favorite homemade soap recipes:
Featured Recipe: Shampoo Bar
This luxurious shampoo bar is infused with enriching oils that condition while cleansing. Over time, you will notice as hair becomes stronger and fuller.
Ingredients
- 45 oz distilled water
- 20 oz lye
- 67 oz olive oil
- 36 oz coconut oil
- 24 oz almond oil
- 18 oz castor oil
- 3 oz jojoba oil
- 1 oz rosemary essential oil
Instructions
- I like to heat my oils over my woodstove but you could use a cookstove on low heat or a crockpot to melt and combine the oils. Combine all the oils except the jojoba oil, essential oil, and 2 oz of the almond oil.
- Combine the the jojoba oil, essential oil, and 2 oz of the almond oil in a separate container.
- Next add the lye to the water little by little while gently stirring. You should do this in a WELL VENTILATED area and wear protective SAFETY GLASSES and GLOVES! Always add the lye to the water. If you add the water to the lye it can explode and cause burns. Keep vinegar on hand to rinse your skin immediately in case of lye burns.
- Once the lye has dissolved, add this mixture to the oils.
- Mix with an immersion blender while over gentle heat until it comes to trace.
- Immediately add the jojoba mixture and blend until combined.
- Pour into molds and cover with towels to keep it warm for 48 hours.
- Remove from molds and cut the bars to size.
- Let the bars cure for a minimum of 6 weeks before using.
Aprile's Kitchen 