Soapmaking 101

Lesson 5: Soapmaking Instructions: Part One

Step Four: Combining the oils and the lye/water solution

The recipe will tell you at what temperature to combine the oils with the lye. Normally this is around 100°F. You can be within 2° of the temperature specified. Beginning soapmakers find this part the most difficult. I remember running back and forth between the lye and the oil pot for half an hour like a crazy person the first time I made soap. It will become easier and more intuitive as you go on.

Carefully check the temperature of the lye-water solution. It should have cooled somewhat while you were melting the oils. Check the temperature of the oils. This is the tricky part. You must get the two temperatures to match at least within 2 degree of eachother. This will (I promise!) become easier as you become more skilled at soapmaking.

Cooling either the lye/water solution or the oils is relatively easy although safety precautions must be followed. Prepare a cold water bath for the solution you want to cool. Place the pitcher containing the lye or the pot containing the oils into a sink filled with cold water. Add ice if necessary. Remember that water can make containers buoyant and your pitcher or pot may be prone to tipping over. Avoid this by using minimal water. Make sure your container sits firmly on the bottom of the sink and does not show signs of floating. Holding the container while it is in the cold water bath may also be necessary.

It is much easier to heat the oils up than to heat the lye solution up. Reheat the oils gently on your stove if they become too cold. Try not to over-cool the lye solution to make it necessary to heat it up. If you do have to, place the lye pitcher in a hot water bath. Don’t use boiling water and don’t use the microwave.

Continue to juggle the cold water baths until the temperatures of the lye/water solution and the oils match the temperature in the recipe.

When the oils and lye/water solution are in the right temperature range, slowly pour the lye/water solution into the pot containing the oil while stirring. Continue to stir evenly and consistently to combine the lye solution with the oil. This is a critical stage. The soap mixture should become creamier and more opaque as your stir.

In this photo I have just added my lye solution to my oils.

  1  2  3  4  5  6  7