How-to Make Your Own Bathroom Soap
Ingredients You'll Need:
- 2/3 cup coconut oil
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 2/3 cup oil such as almond oil, sunflower or safflower oil
- 1/4 cup lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 3/4 cup cool water
Step 1: Cover your Work Area
Cover your work area with newspaper and put on gloves and other protective gear.
Step 2: Pour lye into the water
After measuring the water, pour it into a glass jug. Measure the lye then slowly pour it into the water, stirring with a spoon as you go. Step back to avoid the fumes and allow the water to sit before moving on.
Step 3: Heat and Mix the Oils
Mix the three oils together in another jug. The three oils combined should make around a pint. Next heat the oils in the microwave for around a minute. Check the temperature of the oil as it should be about 120 degrees. Now, wait for the lye and oils to cool to between 95 degrees and 105 degrees. The temperature needs to be correct as if the temperature is too low the lye and oils will come together too fast and end up crumbly.
Step 4: Mix the lye and oil together
When the lye and oils are at the correct temperature pour the oils into a mixing bowl, then slowly add the lye. Next, you need to stir by hand for around 5 minutes to get as much lye in contact with the oils as possible.
Step 5: Mix in the herbs and essential oils
Switch to mixing it using a hand blender after 5 minutes. You will see the mixture lighten in colour and thicken. Add in the herbs and essential oils when it looks like vanilla pudding. Stir in the herbs and oils to combine.
Step 6: Pour the Mixture into a mould
You can pour the soap into any shaped mould you want. After pouring it into the mould cover it with cling film. Then wrap it in an old towel to keep the heat in. This will start the process of the ingredients transforming into soap.
Step 7: Leave to set
After leaving the soap for 24 hours check if it's still warm or soft. If it is allow it to sit for another 12-24 hours. When the soap is cold and firm place onto a baking rack. The soap then needs to cure for 4 weeks or so.
Step 8: Wrap in wax paper
Once the 4 weeks of curing are over wrap them in wax paper or keep in an airtight container.