**Saponification - a reaction in
which an ester is heated with an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide,
producing a free alcohol and an acid salt, especially alkaline
hydrolysis from a fat or an oil to make soap. When an acid
(fats, oils) and a base (sodium hydroxide) react together and
neutralize into salt, the product is called soap. The method you will
learn about in this tutorial is cold process soapmaking. It is a very
simple way to accomplish something magnificent!! There are many other
ways to make soap but none has called to me like this old fashioned
method. So read on and soon you will be ready to make soap too!!
What do I need to make soap?
Gather all equipment and ingredients ahead of time. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE BEGINNING. If you have any questions feel free to email me at thesoapmaven@cp-tel.net Enamelware pot or stainless steel pot. - NEVER USE ALUMINUM A good quality scale that measures in tenths of ounces - I use a digital postal scale that measures up to 10# One wide mouth glass measuring cup or pitcher At least two spoons - stainless or high heat plastic Small stainless or glass container for measuring sodium hydroxide (lye) One small stainless steel wire whisk. Quick read thermometer that registers 80-200 degrees a pair of well fitting rubber gloves safety goggles a mold suitable for your size
batch of soap - can be plastic, glass or wood - lined with freezer
paper or greased with shortening Old Towel
Basic Soap Recipe
Ingredients - this is a good recipe to start with...simple ingredients, good quick trace 8 ounces palm kernel oil 4 ounces coconut oil 6 ounces olive oil 2.7 ounces of sodium hydroxide dissolved in 6 ounces of distilled or rain water. You may scent this size batch with up to 1 ounce essential or skin safe fragrance oil at trace. Now you have all your supplies you are ready to MAKE SOAP!!! Allow yourself 1 1/2 hours for making a batch of soap - and use extreme caution! Sodium Hydroxide is a very dangerous substance AND so is your raw soap. Prepare your mold ahead of time.
Spread out an old towel. You will wrap your soap in the towel after
pouring and covering with plastic wrap. Use safety goggles and rubber
gloves from the time you start until you are finished cleaning up after
your soapmaking. Always keep lye, lye water and raw soap out of reach
of children and pets. Lye is caustic in both dry and wet form and will
burn your skin, can blind you and will ruin just about any painted
surface or linoleum floor. So BE CAREFUL! Now that all of that is out
of the way...let's make some soap!!! In your glass measuring cup with a
spout or glass wide mouth jar, put measured amount of cold water. NEVER
POUR LYE INTO WARM WATER- IT WILL CREATE A VOLCANO! Stir in lye until
all is dissolved - DO NOT INHALE FUMES.
Susan is wife for 28+ years, Mom to 6, Grandma to 1.
She and her husband live in rural NW Louisiana with 3 of their 6
children where they raise children, vegetables, herbs and enjoy the
quiet country life at the end of a dirt road. Susan also (with
the help of her family) owns Dahlem's Soapworks fine handcrafted soaps & other needful things.
Great idea for the Lotion recipe...maybe next Thursday! Also...yes, lye is sodium hydroxide - NaOH. You can find it sometimes at places like Lowes or HomeDepot...it is NOT the same thing as drain cleaner...so be sure you buy pure 100% sodium hydroxide. And there are places online (soapmaking supply places) that sell it in small quantities. I buy it 150 pounds at the time from a local chemical company. But I have to give my business licence and personal information. It is used to make illegal drugs (meth) and like trying to buy Sudafed, it almost takes an act of Congress! It is also EXTREMELY dangerous and has to be handled with the upmost care...I cannot stress this enough.
If you dont mind paying postage, you can find it easily online.
Join us on the Front Porch to talk about anything and everything that has to do with homesteading! Catch up on the latest news at HomesteadBlogger. Chat with our Front Porch Team as they blog about their favorite topics. The Front Porch is the heart of our community. Make yourself right at home!
Posted by 
Posted by 
