How to Make a Homemade Soap From Scratch

A homemade soap is made of natural ingredients, such as oils, lye, herbs, and essential oils, rather than being purchased from a store.

Making soap at home allows for greater control over the ingredients used, as well as the ability to customize the soap to suit individual preferences for fragrance, color, and moisturizing properties. Homemade soap can also be a fun and rewarding hobby, as it allows for creativity and experimentation. However, it is important to note that making soap at home can be dangerous due to the use of lye, so it is necessary to make safety precautions and to follow a recipe closely to ensure that the soap turns out correctly.

To create a homemade soap, you will need the following materials:

• Lye (sodium hydroxide)

• Water

• Oils (such as olive, coconut, palm, or others)

• Herbs, essential oils, or other additives for fragrance and color (optional)

Here is a basic recipe for making soap:

• Measure out your lye and water in separate containers. Slowly add the lye to the water, stirring constantly until it is dissolved. Set the mixture aside to cool.

• Weigh out your oils and heat them until they are warm and liquid.

• Slowly add the lye mixture to the oils, stirring constantly.

• Use a stick blender to blend the mixture until it thickens and reaches "trace" (this is when the mixture is thick enough to leave a trail on the surface when you drizzle it back into the pot).

• Add any herbs, essential oils, or other additives you want to use for fragrance and color.

• Pour the mixture into molds and let it sit for 24-48 hours.

• Remove the soap from the molds and let it cure for 4-6 weeks.

Keep in mind that making soap at home can be dangerous due to the use of lye, so make sure you take all necessary safety precautions, such as wearing gloves, goggles, and working in a well-ventilated area. Also, it is important to use accurate measurements and to follow the recipe closely to ensure that the soap turns out correctly.

Please note that this is a basic recipe, and there are many variations and techniques that can be used to make soap at home. It's always a good idea to research and find a recipe that you are comfortable with, and that is tailored to your specific needs.