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Switching to handmade soaps may seem a little extra, especially if your store-bought soap is working just fine. Now here’s a question for you. Why settle for just fine? Your body deserves more. However, we‘ll not blame you as you will not know what you’re missing out on until you experience the goodness of homemade soaps yourself.
So what’s the real draw here? The ability to customise your soap, as per your needs. If you choose to make your own homemade soap, think about how much you can play around with. You can add your choice of ingredients and stick to a formulation that works perfectly fine for your skin. Never thought of lathering up with a soap that’s specifically tailored for you, no?
Before we jump into learning how to make soap at home, let’s dive into the basics.
Should You Use Lye To Make Soap At Home?
Sodium hydroxide – commonly known as lye in soap making – is an alkaline product that is essential to induce a chemical reaction which turns fatty components like butters and oils into soap, as per a study. This process is known as saponification.
Lye is a caustic substance – which means it can burn or corrode natural tissues if it comes in direct contact with the skin. Now you may wonder, if it’s so dangerous, how can it be used in soaps? Well, lye becomes safe when it comes in contact with oils and fats.
So while making soap and mixing lye, ensure you follow proper safety precautions. This includes wearing thick rubber gloves that go up to your elbows and goggles to protect the eyes. It is also recommended to work in a well-ventilated area and wear a face mask to prevent breathing in any fumes. Using precise measurements and following the recipe closely will also help yield the best results.
Basic Soap-Maker Supplies And Tools
These are the basic supplies and tools every soap-maker needs to make soap at home:
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Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) & Distilled Water: Always used distilled water with lye as it does not contain any impurities.
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Oils & Fats: Wondering how to make a soap base at home? Add distilled water and the lye solution to fats like shea butter and carrier oils including coconut and olive oil to make your soap base.
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Fragrance Or Essential Oils: Use any fragrance or essential oil of your choice. Ensure you use a minimal amount to avoid an overwhelming scent.
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Dyes: You can choose to dye your soap in different colours to match the scent.
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Mixing Bowls & Spatula: It is essential to use separate mixing bowls and spatulas for soap making, and to never reuse them for any other purpose.
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Soap Mould: While you can use basic rectangular moulds, you can also choose from cute and fun designs.
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Thermometer: To check the temperature of the lye and avoid overheating.
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Stick Blender: To ensure you are blending the soap base effectively.
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Scale: Soap-making requires precise measurements and a scale is non-negotiable.
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pH strips: Homemade soaps should have a pH of 8.5 and should be cured till they reach that level.
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Containers: Use heavy-duty, lye-resistant containers that will not react when in contact with the chemical.
Soap-Making Safety Equipment
These are the equipment you will need to protect yourself while making soap at home:
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Gloves: Heavy-duty gloves, ones that reach up to your elbows, are the best choice when handling a corrosive substance like lye. It is also useful to protect you from spills after mixing in the lye.
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Eyewear & Mask: Apart from droplets that may splash toward your face, using eyewear like goggles and a face mask is essential to protect you from harmful fumes.
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Apron: The oils and fragrances used in soap making can stain. Hence, it is important to wear an apron to protect your clothing.
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Long-Sleeved Clothing: Ideally, you should wear clothes with long sleeves and gloves over them to create a tight seal.
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Vinegar: Vinegar neutralises lye, as per a study, and it is important to keep a container of vinegar handy in case of any spills.
How To Make Soap At Home
1. Organic Soap
How to make Organic soap
Step 1: Pour 1/4th cup of Lye into 1 cup of water and stir. When the water starts to clear, allow the mixture to sit.
Step 2: In a pint jar, add 2/3rd cup each of Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, and Almond Oil and microwave it for a minute. Wait till the temperature of both the Lye and the oils is in the range of 95°F to 105°F.
Step 3: Next pour the oils into a bowl. Gradually add the Lye into the bowl and keep stirring. The mixture should lighten and turn thick.
Step 4: Add 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil. Now pour the mixture into a mould and wrap it with a plastic sheet. Then set in a towel and wrap it up.
Step 5: After 24 hours, when the soap is cold and firm, cut it into bars. Expose these bars to air for 4 weeks.
Step 6: Once your soap is cured, wrap it in wax paper and store it in an airtight container.
Benefits of Organic soap
- Organic soaps are not just eco-friendly, they are loaded with antioxidants that are rejuvenating for your skin.
- They contain natural essential oils which are therapeutic and are free from preservatives and toxins.
- They have a pH level of 9 to 10 which makes them gentler on skin without altering its natural pH balance.
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2. Paper Soap
How to make Paper soap
Step 1: On a pan, place wax papers in a line.
Step 2: Now, in a glass bowl add small slices of your soap.
Step 3: Heat a pot of water. On the rim of the pot’s opening, place the glass bowl so that it sits comfortably. The soap will gradually melt because of the steam.
Step 4: Using a paper-thin film, coat the wax sheets with this melted soap. And wait for the soap to cool.
Step 5: Now peel the soap from the wax paper. Cut into smaller sheets to create a stack of paper soap.
Benefits of Paper soap
- Paper soaps are environmentally friendly as they dissolve in water after use.
- Paper soap guarantees a clean wash as it remains sealed inside the cover. This keeps the soap strip free from contamination.
- They are handy and convenient to use, which makes them ideal for travel trips.
3. Glycerin Soap
How to make Glycerin soap
Step 1: Heat Glycerin in a bowl in the microwave and wait until it’s entirely melted.
Step 2: Now take a milk carton and coat its insides with Petroleum Jelly.
Step 3: Pour the melted Glycerin into the carton and let it cool for 2 hours. A Glycerin soap block would be formed.
Step 4: Now tear away the carton and pull out the soap block.
Step 5: Once your soap is cured, wrap it in wax paper and store it in an airtight container.
Benefits of Glycerin soap
- Compared to other soaps, Glycerin soap has a lower pH value which means your skin can retain its natural moisture.
- It’s ideal for dry and sensitive skin as it does not strip skin of its moisture.
- As a humectant, Glycerin absorbs water from the air and thus attracts moisture to your skin.
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4. Liquid Soap
How to make Liquid soap
Step 1: Grate an anti-bacterial soap into a bowl.
Step 2: Add the soap flakes to a blender and pour a cup of boiled water into it. Blend until it takes on a paste-like consistency.
Step 3: Now add one tablespoon of Glycerin and 10 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil into the blender. Again blend until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed to create a soapy consistency.
Step 4: Leave the mixture to cool down for 10 minutes. Once it’s cooled, pour liquid soap into a pump bottle using a funnel.
Step 5: Shut the lid, shake and use.
Benefits of Liquid soap
- Liquid soap limits the exchange of germs between different users, unlike a soap bar.
- It usually comes in a pump bottle which means you can dispense the amount of soap you need without any wastage.
- Liquid soap generally lathers better than other soaps which makes it great for a thorough washing experience.
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Essential Tips To Make Soap At Home
Here are some additional tips to successfully make soap at home:
- Prepare the workspace: A disorganised workspace is a recipe for disaster when it comes to handling chemicals. Keep all items organised and ensure you have a clean and decluttered table.
- Do not over-blend: When blending the lye solution with fats, the consistency of the soap batter is known as trace. A light trace is ideal, as it gives you time to mix fragrances and dyes before adding it to the mould. If you over-blend, the soap will become too thick and difficult to work with.
- Insulate the moulds: Cover the soap mould with a lid after pouring and wrap it on a towel or blanket to insulate. This helps cool the concoction and prevents cracking.
- Record: Keep detailed records of your observations during soap making as it may help you in the future.
- Labels: Add ingredient labels and labels with the date of making to each batch. This will help you keep track during the curing process and ensure you use the soap in time.
Precautions To Take When Preparing Homemade Soap
- When dealing with lye, always ensure you’re working in a ventilated place. Keep the area clean and uncluttered to avoid accidents.
- Put on safety goggles, a mask, and wear gloves when adding lye to the water container. This is to prevent touching the container with bare hands and breathing in the fumes.
- Keep a bottle of fresh Vinegar ready on the platform where you’re preparing soap. You’ll need generous amounts of it to counteract in case you spill lye over yourself.
- Avoid using the equipment or bowl used for soap making for any other purposes, especially cooking.
- Cover your work area or the platform where you’re preparing the soap with protective layers of newspaper or blankets.
- Never add water to the lye. Also, never mix lye in glass as the glass could explode. It is safer to use stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic containers.
- Use pH strips to check if your soap has cured completely and attained the desired pH level. The typical pH for a handmade soap is 8.5. If your pH strip doesn’t reflect this value, it means it needs more time to cure.
Parting Thoughts
Making soap at home can be a rewarding process and is great for your overall skin health. As per a study, most soaps in the market do not have an ideal pH level, and preparing one at home can help you monitor such factors. You can also customise your soap with fragrances, essential oils, and dyes of your choice. However, it is important to take precautions, as soap making involves using corrosive chemicals. It is crucial to ensure you follow the required safety guidelines while making soap at home.
FAQs On Natural Handmade Soap
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Is it safe to use lye in handmade soap?
Lye is a highly corrosive substance that can affect the skin, eyes, and respiratory system when it comes in contact. As a precaution, it is advised to wear safety goggles, masks and gloves to avoid contact with lye. As long as the homemade soap is prepared correctly, no lye is left in the final product, making it safe to use.
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How long should a homemade soap be left to cure?
Freshly prepared soap should be left exposed to air for at least 4 weeks to cure and dry. This process is essential to reduce water volume in the soap and make it firmer.
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How long should a homemade soap be left to cure?
Freshly prepared soap should be left exposed to air for at least 4 weeks to cure and dry. This process is essential to reduce water volume in the soap and make it firmer.
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Which natural handmade soaps are great for sensitive skin?
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Is Khadi handmade soap good for skin?
Khadi handmade soap contains a blend of natural essential oils, vegetable oils, glycerin and other carrier oils. A mild bathing bar, infused with herbal extracts works well for all skin types.
Try it here: Khadi Natural Handmade Soap Collection
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Suggest some essential oils that can be a great addition to DIY soaps.
