How to Make Cold Process Soap

Step 1

Weigh and measure every ingredient ahead of time. It is imperative that items are weighted and measured precisely.

Step 2

Wear gloves and safety goggles, and keep your workspace clean - lye can burn skin.

Step 3

Heat the oil ingredients slowly in a stainless steel pot until you reach a temperature of 115 degrees.

Step 4

Pour the room-temperature water into a large pyrex measuring cup. Stir, and SLOWLY add the pre-weighed lye. It's important to note that you will add lye to the water, not the other way around.

Step 5

Stir until dissolved. Then place the glass container in an ice bath and cool to 115 degrees.

Step 6

When the oils and lye mixtures are both at 115 degrees, slowly pour the lye into the oil mixture while rapidly stirring in circles.

Step 7

Stir until the mixture becomes thick, and similar to the texture of pudding.

Step 8

Add in the botanicals and/or essential oils - see the blog post for ideas.

Step 9

Pour the mixture into molds (I use 1L milk cartons), and staple the tops shut. Then, wrap the molds in a towel and set on top of the fridge for 48 hours.

Step 10

Unmold the soap and cut into even sections. Then, place the bars on a wire rack and let them cure for 3 weeks.

Step 11

Buff with a cotton cloth, and wrap to give as gifts or use yourself!