How to Make Soap with Lye Part 2

Read up on how to work with lye safely. Before you start the soap-making process, read the safety warnings that came on your box of lye. Keep the following in mind as you handle lye or raw soap, before it has been cured:

• Lye should never touch your skin, as it will burn you.
• Wear safety goggles and glove at all times while handling lye and raw soap.
• Work with lye outside or in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing in fumes.

Part Two: Mixing the Ingredients

• Measure 12 ounces of lye. Use the scale to make sure the measurement is exact, and pour the lye into the two-cup measuring cup.

• Measure 32 ounces of cold water. Use the scale to make sure the measurement is exact, and pour the water into a large, non-aluminum container, such as a stainless steel pot or glass bowl.

• Add the lye to the water. Place the container of water under your stove’s running exhaust fan, or make sure the windows are open and the room is well-ventilated. Add the lye to the water slowly, stirring gently with a spoon until the lye is completely dissolved.
  • It is very important to add the lye to the water and not the other way around; if you add the water to the lye, the reaction between the two substances is too quick, and may be dangerous.
  • As you add the lye to the water, it will heat the water and release fumes. Keep your face turned away to avoid inhaling the fumes.
  • Set the mixture aside. Allow it to cool and let the fumes dissipate.

• Measure the oils. Use the scale to weigh out 24 ounces of coconut oil, 38 ounces of vegetable shortening, and 24 ounces of olive oil.

• Combine the oils. Set a large stainless steel pot on the stove on low-medium heat. Add the coconut oil and vegetable shortening and stir frequently until melted. Add the olive oil and stir until all are completely melted and combined, then remove the pot from heat.

• Measure the temperature of the lye and oils. Use different thermometers for the lye and oils, and continue to monitor their temperatures until the lye reaches 95-98 degrees Fahrenheit (35-36 degrees Celsius) and the oils are at the same or lower temperature.

• Add the lye to the oils. When the two substances have reached the proper temperatures, add the lye in a slow, steady stream to the oils.
  • Stir with a wooden or heat-resistent spoon; do not use metal.
  • You may instead use a stick blender to stir the lye and oils.
  • Continue to mix for about 10-15 minutes until “tracing” occurs; you’ll see your spoon leave a visible trace behind it, like one you’d see when making pudding. If you’re using a stick blender, this should occur within about 5 minutes.
  • If you don’t seen tracing within 15 minutes, let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes before continuing to mix again.

• Add 4 ounces of essential oil once tracing occurs. Some fragrances and essential oils (cinnamon, for example), will cause soap to set quickly, so be ready to pour the soap into molds as soon as you stir in the essential oil.