Cold process soap making has become a popular craft for skincare lovers, small business owners, and DIY enthusiasts. If you’ve been wanting to create your own natural bathing soap from scratch, this guide breaks down the full process — including safety precautions, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions.
Whether you’re making soap for personal use or as a business, here is everything you need to know.
🔒 Safety First: Handling Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
Lye is a crucial ingredient in cold process soap, but it must be handled carefully.
- Wear protective gloves and safety goggles.
- Work in a well-ventilated area, away from children and pets.
- Always add lye to water — never water to lye.
- If lye touches the skin, rinse immediately with plenty of cool water.
🧼 Cold Process Soap Making Steps
1. Choose a Recipe
Start with a reliable beginner-friendly recipe such as Oatmeal & Honey Soap.
Always run your formula through a lye calculator to ensure correct measurements.
2. Gather Ingredients & Tools
Lye Solution:
- Sodium hydroxide (lye) — 58g
- Distilled water — 160g
Oils:
- Coconut oil — 100g
- Olive oil — 200g
- Shea butter — 100g
Additives:
- Oatmeal — 10g
- Honey — 2 tbsp
Tools:
- Thermometer
- Immersion blender
- Mixing containers
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
- Soap mold (wood or silicone)
3. Prepare the Soap Mold
- Line wooden molds with freezer paper.
- Silicone molds don’t need lining.
4. Mix the Lye Solution
- Weigh your distilled water into a heat-safe container.
- Slowly add lye to the water while stirring.
- Allow the mixture to cool to 90–115°F.
5. Weigh & Melt Your Oils
- Measure all oils and melt if needed.
- Let the oil mixture cool to 90–115°F.
6. Combine Oils & Lye
- Slowly pour the cooled lye solution into the oils.
- Use an immersion blender to mix until you reach trace — when the mixture thickens and leaves light patterns on the surface.
7. Add Oatmeal, Honey & Extras
- Stir in your oatmeal, honey, fragrances, or essential oils.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared mold.
8. Insulate & Let It Set
- Cover the mold with a towel to maintain warmth.
- Allow the soap to sit undisturbed for 24–48 hours.
9. Unmold & Cut Into Bars
- Carefully remove the hardened soap from the mold.
- Slice into bars using a soap cutter or sharp knife.
10. Cure the Soap
- Place the bars in a cool, dry space.
- Allow them to cure for 4–6 weeks, turning occasionally for even drying.
- Proper curing improves hardness, lather, and gentleness.
Pro Tips for Perfect Soap
- Use a digital scale for accurate measurements.
- Keep your workspace tidy and organized.
- Experiment with natural additives like turmeric, charcoal, essential oils, and herbs.
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