When it comes to handmade soap, people have been making lye soap for thousands of years. Whether they use the hot process or the cold process, lye soap is a staple in most cultures. While lye is a harmful substance in its pure form, with the proper precautions, you can safely learn how to make lye soap that can be both decorative and functional.
Reasons for Making Lye Soap
When lye is combined with oil it goes through a chemical reaction called saponification. During this process, both soap molecules and glycerin are formed. There are two main methods used for creating soap in this manner; the hot process and the cold process.
As the names suggests, the hot process involves using heat during saponification while the cold process does not. With the hot process, the heat that is introduced will work to accelerate the chemical reactions; this means that your soap will be ready for use sooner than soap from the cold process. Even so, most soap making hobbyist choose the cold process because it is less complicated than the hot process. Keep in mind, however, that cold process soap will take several weeks before it is ready to use.
You used to be able to obtain lye from your local store but due to its harmful qualities, most stores have pulled it from their shelves. However, you can still find businesses that sell lye online in the quantities you need.
Making Lye Soap - Safety Precautions
Safety needs to be your number one priority when making lye soap. Lye is a very harmful substance before it goes through the saponifcation process. It will cause serious burns if it comes in contact with your skin or eyes. It is for this reason that you need to have the proper safety equipment and habits. Be sure to have gloves, safety goggles, and a working surface that is protected. Remember to use glass, enamel, plastic, or wood to avoid any unwanted chemical reactions. Also, make sure your working surface is well separated or protected from surfaces where you prepare and consume food. Store any unused lye in a container that is labeled and away from the reach of children and pets.
The first steps to making lye soap are to measure the lye and the water. Lye is commonly sold in brick form, which makes it easy to measure. When making lye soap, however, it is important to remember that you always add the lye to the water. Water and lye have an interesting chemical relationship and if you were to pour the water into the lye, the lye might explode getting the chemical on your skin and whatever else is around. If you add the lye very slowly to the water, the lye does not explode but, rather, heats up the water - sometimes getting as hot as 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Basic Cold Process Instructions
Once you have created your lye solution by combining the lye and water, introduce it to a pot of your chosen oils in order to develop the soap mixture. At this point, stir the soap mixture until the point where it thickens and reaches the stage called "trace". Once the mixture has reached trace, you can add your scents and colorants to make customizations to your soap. Stir the new ingredients into the soap mixture just before you pour the liquid into your soap molds. With the soap mixture now in the molds, allow it to set for 24 hours before removing the soap from the molds. Finally, let them cure for 4-6 weeks before use.
While there are a lot of precautions to be taken when it comes to making lye soap, it can still be a very enjoyable hobby. Soap makers have delved into this practice for generations, creating incredible, high-quality products that fill gift shops and bath stores the world over. Now it is time for you to test your hand at learning how to make lye soap!
Reasons for Making Lye Soap
When lye is combined with oil it goes through a chemical reaction called saponification. During this process, both soap molecules and glycerin are formed. There are two main methods used for creating soap in this manner; the hot process and the cold process.
As the names suggests, the hot process involves using heat during saponification while the cold process does not. With the hot process, the heat that is introduced will work to accelerate the chemical reactions; this means that your soap will be ready for use sooner than soap from the cold process. Even so, most soap making hobbyist choose the cold process because it is less complicated than the hot process. Keep in mind, however, that cold process soap will take several weeks before it is ready to use.
You used to be able to obtain lye from your local store but due to its harmful qualities, most stores have pulled it from their shelves. However, you can still find businesses that sell lye online in the quantities you need.
Making Lye Soap - Safety Precautions
Safety needs to be your number one priority when making lye soap. Lye is a very harmful substance before it goes through the saponifcation process. It will cause serious burns if it comes in contact with your skin or eyes. It is for this reason that you need to have the proper safety equipment and habits. Be sure to have gloves, safety goggles, and a working surface that is protected. Remember to use glass, enamel, plastic, or wood to avoid any unwanted chemical reactions. Also, make sure your working surface is well separated or protected from surfaces where you prepare and consume food. Store any unused lye in a container that is labeled and away from the reach of children and pets.
The first steps to making lye soap are to measure the lye and the water. Lye is commonly sold in brick form, which makes it easy to measure. When making lye soap, however, it is important to remember that you always add the lye to the water. Water and lye have an interesting chemical relationship and if you were to pour the water into the lye, the lye might explode getting the chemical on your skin and whatever else is around. If you add the lye very slowly to the water, the lye does not explode but, rather, heats up the water - sometimes getting as hot as 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Basic Cold Process Instructions
Once you have created your lye solution by combining the lye and water, introduce it to a pot of your chosen oils in order to develop the soap mixture. At this point, stir the soap mixture until the point where it thickens and reaches the stage called "trace". Once the mixture has reached trace, you can add your scents and colorants to make customizations to your soap. Stir the new ingredients into the soap mixture just before you pour the liquid into your soap molds. With the soap mixture now in the molds, allow it to set for 24 hours before removing the soap from the molds. Finally, let them cure for 4-6 weeks before use.
While there are a lot of precautions to be taken when it comes to making lye soap, it can still be a very enjoyable hobby. Soap makers have delved into this practice for generations, creating incredible, high-quality products that fill gift shops and bath stores the world over. Now it is time for you to test your hand at learning how to make lye soap!
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