how to make real soap

[Guest guest]

There are some focused on soap-making, too, but here are

some instructions you can get started with. It might sound

overwhelming at first, but like so many other things, once you do it a

few times, it becomes pretty simple. And think how you'll never have

to BUY either the really-expensive real soap, or the nasty

petroleum-detergent bars ever again! (you can wash laundry, dishes,

everything with real soap)

 

Making soap is FUN! not to mention, so much better for your health

(and the environment). You could start with a simple castile (olive

oil) soap. You can use either extra-virgin olive oil (probably be

better for the skin), or just " olive oil " (which is pressed out of the

olives after the first " virgin " pressing, and it may be extracted with

chemicals). -the regular olive oil in the grocery stores.

 

Now lye is a different matter. I keep reading how people have problems

finding real lye, and you can't even go by brand names, because the

manufacturers sometimes change their formulas without any label

changes. Sounds like the best idea would be to go to a hardware store,

find a can of what says " 100% lye " or something like that, then get

the phone number of the company, call them and ask them specifically

if there are ANY added ingredients other than lye. Tell them you will

be making soap. They will tell you whether there's any metal flakes or

any other weird things in the lye. Or you might be lucky enough to

have a soapmakers supply store in your area; look in the phone book or

on the internet. I read that Lowe's sells Roebic Crystal Drain Opener

which is supposed to be 100% lye, but I would call the manufacturer to

make sure. Or you can buy it online from a soap supply place. Here's

two that I saw online -- I do not know anything about them; it just

might help to get you started -- Snow Drift Farm, and The Soap Dish. A

Google search ought to bring them up.

 

Lye *can* be dangerous, so you just need to be careful. Make

absolutely sure that no kids or animals have access to the lye or the

dissolved lye solution. If the solution is swallowed, it will

physically burn away / melt the tissues it touches! If you splash it

on your skin, just make sure to wash it off with running water as soon

as you notice any burning. If you get it in your eyes, don't wait for

any burning sensation! Flush your eyes under the running water instantly.

 

All that is not to scare you away from making soap; it's just to let

you know how dangerous lye can be if it's not handled properly. I have

never had anything bad happen, because I take these basic precautions,

and people all over the world make soap all the time without incident.

 

- I use a plastic pitcher on which I have written with permanent

marker " LYE " , poison, no food, that type of thing, and I never use it

for anything else.

- a big plastic spoon

- stainless steel or enamel pan (quite a bit bigger than the amount of

raw soap you put in it)

- stick blender (not necessary, but it speeds up the process a lot

(Braun stick blenders don't have any aluminum in them)

*no aluminum*

- something to use as a soap mold, like a plastic storage container

(again, no aluminum)

 

Here's a recipe to get you started:

 

16 ounces (by weight) extra virgin (or plain) olive oil

2 ounces (by weight) pure lye crystals

about 5 fluid ounces of water (might be better to use distilled water,

if your tap water is hard)

 

carefully pour the lye crystals into the water, while stirring with a

non-aluminum spoon (lye eats aluminum)

It will get really hot, but not hot enough to melt the plastic pitcher :-)

It will also get kinda fume-y, so if you have asthma, you might want

to do it outside.

After the lye crystals dissolve, put the pitcher of lye water

somewhere where it will not spill, and no critters can drink it. I put

it on the kitchen windowsill with the window open.

Wait for the lye water to cool - feel the outside of the pitcher, and

when it feels warm, not scorching-hot, it's ready to pour into the oil.

 

Carefully pour the lye water into the big non-aluminum pot with the

olive oil in it, and stir it in with your non-aluminum spoon. If you

have a stick blender, run it in short bursts until after the liquid

turns opaque, and then when it " traces " , you will be able to run a

little trickle of raw soap from the spoon across the top, and it will

be thick enough to stick up above the surface visibly. Carefully pour

it into your mold, cover with waxed paper or plastic wrap, put it

somewhere where no critters will get into it, " insulate " it with a

towel or blanket, and leave it for about 24 hours.

 

The next day, check it for any liquid that has separated out. (If

there is liquid, carefully put it all back in the pan, and stir it

over very low heat until it all stays together, and when it looks like

Vaseline, you will have ready-to-use soap, fully cured. If the heat is

too high, or you don't stir it enough, it can VERY QUICKLY boil out

all over the kitchen. You can also do this if you just don't want to

wait. This is called " hot-process soap " .)

 

If the soap is firm, with no liquid, turn it out on the

counter/cutting board and cut it into bars. It is still caustic at

this stage, so still be careful. Put it somewhere with good air

circulation, and in about 4 weeks, you will have fully-cured soap.

 

You can test for cure with pH strips, but I have read that they're not

all that accurate. The sure-fire way to test if a soap is cured is to

stand right by the water faucet and stick the tip of your tongue on

the soap. If it zaps you like a little electric shock, it is not

cured. If it just tastes bad (like soap ;+) it's done and ready to

use. Then wash the soap off your tongue under the running water.

 

 

Joy R