How to Make Herbal Soap + Three Easy Ways to Customize

Step 1

Put on your goggles & gloves.

Step 2

Weigh water (or herbal infusion) into stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic container.

Step 3

Weigh lye into a small cup.

Step 4

Sprinkle lye into the water.

Step 5

Stir well until lye completely dissolves.

Step 6

Place lye solution in safe area and cool for 30 to 40 minutes, or until it's about 100 to 115 degrees F.

Step 7

Melt coconut oil and butter over low heat, then combine with other oils.

Step 8

Cool combined oils until they’re around 95 to 115 degrees F.

Step 9

Pour cooled lye solution into warm oils.

Step 10

Use combination of hand stirring and short bursts of the immersion blender to mix oils and lye solution.

Step 11

Mix until soap reaches trace.

Step 12

Pour soap into mold.

Step 13

If you’d like, use spoon to texture the top of soap then decorate with flower petals such as cornflower, calendula, or rose.

Step 14

Cover soap lightly with piece of wax paper or parchment paper.

Step 15

Cover with towel or blanket to insulate.

Step 16

Allow to set for one to two days before removing from mold.

Step 17

Turn out soap on a piece of wax paper.

Step 18

Cut soap into bars.

Step 19

Space bars out on wax paper or coated cooling rack ensuring plenty of airflow between them.

Step 20

Rotate every few days allowing for an even cure.

Step 21

Cure in open air for 4 to 6 weeks before use.