How Is Soap Made?

During the 50’s, it became popular to make soap through a continuous boiling. In this process, the chemicals react with the soda without the aid of steam or salt. With continuous boiling, it is much easier to get the glycerin as a by-product. This method is much more time efficient than the old full boiling method of making soap.

It is complex, but fairly easy to make soap at home as long as you have the right ingredients. Of course, the thing you have to remember when making soap at home is that it will not have the same texture, color, lathering properties, etc. as the soap you get from a manufacturer. If you have never made soap before, you will probably wind up with a pretty rough product at first. But practice makes perfect! Discover the items that you can add more of or take away from the recipe to add the properties you want your soap to have. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Here is a basic soap recipe and directions for making the soap.

Ingredients:

* Various Oils
o Palm Oil (16 ounces)
o Olive Oil (16 ounces)
o Coconut Oil (16 ounces)
* Water (16 ounces)
* Lye (7 ounces)
* Kitchen thermometer (2)
* Large pot (2)
* Soap molds
* Spoon
* Measuring cup (preferably glass)
* Safety glasses
* Rubber Gloves
* Make sure that you are making your soap in a well ventilated area for safety (lye can irritate the lungs and eyes)

Steps to Making Soap

1. For safety reasons, please be sure to wear your safety glasses and rubber gloves throughout this process. Lye is a harsh substance that can irritate your eyes, lungs, and skin. Also be sure to measure all of your ingredients carefully.
2. Begin by combining the lye and water in one pot. Slowly stir the combination until it is thoroughly mixed, and insert a kitchen thermometer into the mixture while you slowly heat it. This combination is ready once it has reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Combine all of your oils into a second pot, stirring slowly. Insert the second thermometer into the mixture. This combination is also ready once it has reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Once both of your mixtures have reached the right temperatures, it is time to combine the lye mixture and the oil mixture. This must be done very carefully to avoid any splashing or spilling of either product. Stir the mixture as you pour, until both of the mixtures are completely combined.
5. Once both the lye and water mixture and the oils mixture are combined, continue to stir until they thicken. It is best if they are around the thickness of cake batter.
6. Once the mixtures have thickened, it is time to pour them into the soap molds. Leave the combination in the molds for one to two days.
7. At this time, you can remove the soap from the molds. You should then put the soap in a dark but cool place (you would not want your soap to melt!). Leave it there for 2 to 6 weeks before use. This will allow the soap to cure and increase the amount of lather when being used.

Making soap is simple, easy, and even fun!

By: Mel Joelle

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