You can listen to a version of this post by clicking on the audio link just below:
Have you ever thought about creating something beautiful, useful, and personal? Handmade soap is a wonderful way to combine creativity with practicality. Whether you want to make thoughtful gifts or start a small business, soap-making is a rewarding craft that anyone can learn. Let’s dive into the basics and get you started!
Safety Gear
Always wear protective goggles and gloves when dealing with Sodium Hydroxide. In addition wear long sleeves, long trousers and closed toed shoes. Keep some vinegar handy as this can help neutralising the Sodium Hydroxide, should there be any spills.
Ingredients and Recipe Making
The foundation of any soap is a blend of oils and lye. For beginners, here’s a simple palm-free recipe:
Basic Cold Process Soap Recipe (Palm-Free):
- Olive oil – 500g
- Coconut oil – 350g
- Mango Seed or Shea butter – 150g
- Distilled water – 380g (if you are in a soft water area you can use tap water, I do)
- Sodium hydroxide (lye) – 144g
- Essential oils – up to 30g (optional)
- Colourants – clays, herbs (Turmeric, woad, alkanet, paprika), or mica (optional)
This makes roughly 10-12 bars of soap. Always double-check measurements with a lye calculator if you adjust the recipe. Here are some links to lye calculators I use: LyeCalc, SoapCalc
Equipment and Environment
You’ll need:
- A digital scale for precise measurements
- Heatproof containers for mixing oils and lye (best if they fit into your microwave for melting hard oils)
- A stick blender for blending
- Spatula for scraping out and stirring
- Soap moulds
- Safety gear: gloves, goggles, and long sleeves
Choose a well-ventilated space and keep pets and children away. Safety first!
The Process
- Prepare your moulds and line them if needed.
- Mix the lye and water carefully (always add lye to water, never the other way around). Let it cool.
- Melt and combine your oils in a separate container.
- When both mixtures are at similar temperatures, blend them together until you reach “trace” – a pudding-like consistency.
- Add fragrance and colour, then pour into moulds.
- Cover and insulate for 24–48 hours.
- Unmould and cut your soap, then cure for 4–6 weeks to harden and mellow.
There are many videos on basic soap making so here are a link to a couple: Elly’s Everyday Soap Making, Sussex Soap Company
The Outcome
You’ll have beautiful, handmade bars that smell amazing and feel luxurious. Each batch is unique, and the satisfaction of creating something from scratch is unbeatable.
Ready to Start?
Gather your ingredients, set up your space, and give it a go! Handmade soap makes great gifts and can even become a profitable hobby. Start small, experiment, and enjoy the process. Your first batch is just the beginning of a creative journey!
Workshops
I will do basic soap making workshops this year. Contact me directly or keep a look out on this side and my Facebook Page: Birgit’s Soap Bar
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