Different oils have different value when producing soap. Olive oil is a gentle moisturizer, coconut oil adds lather, and palm oil sets well. Once you've tried your hand at the process, you can start exploring adjusting oils or adding scents or textures with herbs or essential oils. Keep in mind that soap making is as much an art as it is a science, and straying too far from the fat-to-alkali balance can lead to undesirable results. Inexperienced soapmakers should feel comfortable with tried and tested recipes before experimentation.
Gather ingredients and tools. Keep in mind that lye (sodium hydroxide) is extremely caustic. The use of gloves, long sleeves, protective eyewear, and a well-ventilated workspace is recommended when making soap.
Measure ingredients by weight instead of volume for consistent results.
In a plastic or Pyrex container, slowly add 3 ounces of lye to 7 ounces of distilled water (being careful not to splash), and mix with a wooden or stainless steel spoon to combine.
The temperature will rise rapidly once the lye and water have been combined, perhaps up to 200 degrees. Let stand and let cool while preparing the oil..
Combine 10 ounces of olive oil, 6 ounces of palm oil, and 5 ounces of coconut oil in a deep pot and stir over low heat to combine. Once the temperature reaches 100-110 degrees, remove from heat.
When the lye solution has cooled to between 100 and 110 degrees, slowly add to the oil. If the oil has cooled below 100 degrees, reheat before mixing.
Stirring by hand or using a mixer, mix the soap until it becomes thick and opaque. Stirring by hand, this can take up to 45 minutes. Using a stick blender, 2-3 minutes..
When traces of soap spattered from your spoon or stick blender remain visible on the surface, the desired consistency has been achieved. This state is known as "trace".
Pour the soap into a small cardboard box lined with a garbage bag or parchment paper. The size of the box will determine the thickness of the completed bar soap. Cover the box with a piece of cardboard and let sit for 24 to 36 hours until the soap is firm and can be cut.
Remove the hardened soap from the box and cut it into bars. Once cut, store the bars in a cool, dry place to cure for 4-5 weeks before using. Do not use soap before it has finished curing, as the lye will still be active and may irritate the skin.
