How To Make Soap From Scratch!

If you are someone who loves making your own cosmetics or body scrub, you might be tempted to DIY your own soap. Many DIY soap recipes require an ingredient called Lye as the base. However, lye can be hazardous to work with at home. Hence, here is a simpler and safer method to make your own soap!

1. Choose a recipe and fragrance

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If you are a beginner, the simplest way is to purchase a soap base – a pre-mixed combination of the soap, glycerin, and a few extra ingredients like extracts for skin benefits. When buying fragrance oil online, make sure it is cosmetic grade!

2. Have your tools ready

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All you need is a heat-safe container to melt the base and a stainless steel wire whisk to stir in your fragrance. The only other tool you need are silicone moulds.

3. Melt the base

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If you are using a double-boiler, place the soap base into vessel, set in on the stovetop over medium-low heat until the water gently boils, and the soap base begins melting. (*Tip: avoid stirring the base as this can trap air bubbles!)

If you are using a microwave, place the base in a microwave-safe container and heat it on high for one minute. Check to see if the base is completely melted. If not, continue heating it in short bursts of 20 to 30 seconds or so until it is fully melted. (*Microwave ovens vary so you'll have to watch it carefully!)

4. Add in your fragrance

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Once the base is molten, remove your pot or container from the stove or microwave and place it on a heat resistant surface. With a wire whisk, quickly but gently blend in the fragrance. Make sure to distribute it evenly into the base but try not to mix in any air bubbles as you whisk in the fragrance. (*A general rule of thumb is to add about 1 teaspoon of fragrance per pound of soap!)

5. Pour mixture into the mould

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Carefully but quickly pour the molten base and fragrance mixture into your mould. Fill the moulds as close to the top as possible.

6. Cool and pop the soaps out of the mould

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Allow your soap-filled mould to cool at room temperature on a flat surface. Do not touch it until it is fully solidified! Depending on the size and shape of your mould and your room temperature, the soap will take at least an hour to harden. When it’s hard, simply pop it out of the mould and enjoy!