Crafting Your Own Natural Handmade Soap

If you have ever looked up homemade natural soap tutorials online, it's likely that after an hour of watching "how to make soap" videos on YouTube, you might have wanted to give up.

You can stop searching the web for how to make handmade natural soap and read on for a high-level overview of making soap.

Making your own handmade soap is a detailed process that blends crafting with the science of chemistry and requires quite a bit of patience.

With a few essential ingredients and some basic equipment, you can produce natural handmade soap that is not only gentle on the skin but also environmentally friendly. Here's the basics what it takes to make your own soap at home.

by Heather Ford (https://unsplash.com/@the_modern_life_mrs)

Understanding the Basics of Soap Making

At its core, soap is the result of a chemical reaction between fats or oils and an alkali, known as saponification. The key ingredients required for this process are lye (sodium hydroxide) and a selection of oils and fats. It is crucial to handle lye with caution, as it is a highly caustic substance that can cause burns. Appropriate safety gear, such as gloves and goggles, should always be used.

Choosing Your Ingredients

When making natural handmade soap, the choice of oils significantly affects the soap's properties. Common oils include olive oil, coconut oil, and palm oil, each contributing distinct characteristics to the soap. Olive oil, for instance, creates a mild and moisturizing soap, while coconut oil adds hardness and lather.

For a unique touch, consider incorporating essential oils or fragrance and natural colorants like spirulina or turmeric for an appealing hue. Additionally, additives such as oatmeal or dried herbs can enhance the soap’s texture and exfoliating properties.

The Soap Making Process

Step 1: Preparing Your Workspace

Before beginning, ensure your workspace is well-ventilated and all materials are within reach. It's important to use a digital scale to measure your ingredients accurately for the best results.

Step 2: Mixing Lye and Water

Carefully dissolve the lye in water, always adding the lye to the water and not the reverse, to prevent dangerous splashes. Allow the mixture to cool to a safe temperature before proceeding.

Step 3: Combining Oils and Lye

In a separate container, heat your chosen oils until they are fully melted and at the desired temperature. Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils, stirring continuously. Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until it reaches "trace," a state where the mixture thickens and leaves a trail on the surface.

Step 4: Adding Fragrances and Additives

Once trace is achieved, add any essential oils, colorants, or additives. Stir these gently into the mixture to ensure an even distribution.

Step 5: Molding and Curing

Pour the soap mixture into molds and cover them with a lid or plastic wrap to insulate. Allow the soap to set for 24 to 48 hours before removing it from the molds. Finally, cure the soap in a well-ventilated area for four to six weeks to allow it to harden and any excess lye to neutralize.

By following these meticulous steps, you can create homemade soap that is customized to your preferences and free from synthetic additives. This fun and fulfilling process gives you a sustainable alternative to store-bought soaps and lets you create products that are perfectly suited to your own needs. Enjoy the satisfaction of using soap that is both crafted by hand and kind to the environment.