Soapmaking 101

Lesson 5: Soapmaking Instructions: Part One

Step Five: Mixing the soap and achieving trace

Your stirring should be strong, though not vigorous, and you should cut the soap mixture with the spoon to ensure an even mixing process.

I call this my "half way there photo." After about 10 minutes of stirring, the mixture is creamy and starting to thicken - I am well on my way to trace .

Many recipes tell you when you can expect to achieve ‘trace’. This can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. Trace is when the soap mixture begins to thicken up. You will know you have achieved trace when you can take some of the mixture on your spoon, drizzle it across the top of the mixture, and you are able to see a noticeable trail or line left on the surface of the soap. This line will sink into the soap and disappear. Once you have achieved trace, you are ready to add additives, colorants and fragrance.

Can you see the lines left in the mixture by my spoon? But it's not quite trace...

When the lines linger on the surface of the mixture, then you know you have acheived trace. Note also the creamy color of the soap, compared to the first photo in this lesson section. About 20 minutes has passed. I am ready for my additives.

A soap mixture that does not trace is not always cause for concern. If, after 45 minutes, your soap has not traced, stop stirring for 5 minutes and then stir for 10 minutes. Continue this process for about another 45 minutes. If your soap has not yet traced, pour it anyway. Check out the troubleshooting section in the next lesson to try to figure out what went wrong. If however, your soap is not tracing and you see evidence that the lye solution is not combining with the oil or they were combined but are now separating, it is possible your soap cannot be saved. See the troubleshooting section for more information.

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