Is it impossible to make solid soap without Lye?
You can not make soap from scratch without lye, lye is essential for making soap, what you can do is to buy a soap base which already has lye added to it, this way it is safe to use. The melt and pour method is the best way to make soap without handling the lye.
How to make homemade soap in 6 Easy Steps?
Step-by-Step Guide
- Melt and Mix the Oils. Weigh out your solid oils and melt them in a saucepan over a low heat. ...
- Mix the Water and Lye. This step requires the most caution, and always put water first and lye second. ...
- Mix the Oils with the Lye Water. ...
- Bring the Soap Mix to Trace. ...
- Add to the Mold. ...
- Leave to Rest. ...
How to make your own soap naturally at home?
How to make soap without lye:
- Choose a recipe and fragrance. If you are a beginner, the simplest way to start is to purchase a soap base — a pre-mixed combination of the soap, glycerin, ...
- Gather your tools. A heat-safe container to melt the base. ...
- Melt the base. ...
- Mix in the fragrance. ...
- Fill the mold. ...
- Cool and unmold it. ...
Does lye have to be in all soap?
Soap does not contain lye. It is however, made by using lye. That’s an important distinction. You need lye to make soap. The finished soap product, however, no longer contains lye. The lye gets used up in the organic chemical reaction that makes soap; Saponification.
What can replace lye in soap?
The main way that you can make soap without handling lye is by using melt-and-pour soap. The part of it that's real soap has already been through saponification (oils reacting with lye) and is safe to use and handle straight out of the package.
How do you make natural soap without lye?
Ingredients needed:¼ tsp aloe vera powder.¼ tsp spirulina or chlorella powder, for color.1 tsp water.12 oz (340 g) aloe soap base, cut into 1″ (2.5-cm) cubes.4 oz (113 g) shea butter or goat's milk soap base, cut into 1″ (2.5-cm) cubes.½ tsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch.2 tsp (10 ml) aloe vera gel.More items...
Can you use baking soda instead of lye to make soap?
It is certainly possible to make an acceptable cold process soap using baking soda or washing soda, but lather performance suffers compared to the same soap formula without them. This supports the conventional wisdom that they are better used in a hot process soap (after the cook) or in a rebatched soap.
Does Dove soap have lye in it?
Yes, Dove is made with lye!
How do you make chemical free soap at home?
Homemade Soap Making RecipeCut 500 gm soap base into small cubes. ... Add 4-5 drops of the essential oil and mix.Add in dried flowers, spices etc and then pour into silicone moulds and let it set for 7-8 hours in a cool place.
How was ancient soap made?
Ancient Mesopotamians were first to produce a kind of soap by cooking fatty acids – like the fat rendered from a slaughtered cow, sheep or goat – together with water and an alkaline like lye, a caustic substance derived from wood ashes. The result was a greasy and smelly goop that lifted away dirt.
How do you make all natural soap?
Basic ingredients20 oz. coconut oil.10 oz. olive oil.9 oz. distilled water.4.78 oz. 100 percent pure lye.20 to 40 drops of essential oils, if desired.colorants (optional)dried herbs or flowers (optional)
How do you make homemade lye?
To make lye in the kitchen, boil the ashes from a hardwood fire (soft woods are too resinous to mix with fat) in a little soft water, rainwater is best, for about half an hour. Allow the ashes to settle to the bottom of the pan and then skim the liquid lye off the top.
How do you make all natural soap?
Basic ingredients20 oz. coconut oil.10 oz. olive oil.9 oz. distilled water.4.78 oz. 100 percent pure lye.20 to 40 drops of essential oils, if desired.colorants (optional)dried herbs or flowers (optional)
How do you make a natural soap base?
Directions to Make Soap Base from ScratchStep 1 – Melt the butters, wax & oils. ... Step 2 – Make the lye solution. ... Step 3 – Blend in arrowroot & zinc oxide, if using. ... Step 4 – Combine the lye solution and oils. ... Step 5 – Cook. ... Step 6 – Add the vegetable glycerin. ... Step 7 – Dissolve the soap paste into the glycerin.More items...
What ingredients do you need to make your own soap?
So, the simple answer is, for a very basic soap you need oils, water and sodium hydroxide. You can add essential or fragrance oils for scent and other ingredients for colours if you fancy being creative but these are all optional.
What do you need to make organic soap?
Ingredients:8 1/2 oz (240g) Olive Oil.1 1/2 oz (40g) Avocado Oil.2 oz (50g) Coconut Oil.2 oz (50g) Palm Oil (from sustainable sources)1 oz (30g) Beeswax.6 oz (170g) Distilled water.2 oz (55g) Lye (Sodium Hydroxide/Caustic Soda)1 1/2 teaspoons (7ml) Grapefruit essential oil.More items...•
How to make soap without lye?
The main way that you can make soap without handling lye is by using melt-and-pour soap. It’s already been through saponification (oils reacting with lye) and is safe to use and handle straight out of the package. All you do with it is melt it, add your scent, color, and other additives, then pour it into molds.
What is lye used for?
Types of Lye. Potassium hydroxide is used in a hot-process method to make a kind of soap paste. You can dilute it in water to make a fabulous natural liquid soap, though it’s not a quick project. Sodium hydroxide is the lye you use to make bar soap.
Why does soap turn opaque?
The oils and lye begin liquidy then start turning opaque and thick. When soap comes to ‘Trace’, it’s the sign of a successful natural chemical reaction. Most of the lye is used up at that point, but after two days it’s usually always transformed into soap. That’s why natural soap does not contain lye when you use it.
What to do with melt and pour soap?
All you do with it is melt it, add your scent, color, and other additives, then pour it into molds. It’s easy-peasy and a quick project and fun for both adults and littles. There’s even an incredible book that’s come out with all kinds of natural ideas to color, scent, and customize melt and pour soap.
How to tell if soap is detergent?
Even the bars of soap that you grew up with or see for sale in shops could be a detergent. The best way to know is to look at the packaging. If you can’t find the word soap on the label, then it’s not soap. If it says ‘beauty bar’ or something like that, then it’s probably a detergent.
What happens when you cook wood ashes?
If it’s cooked with fat, it breaks apart the molecules apart and bonds with them. This process is called saponification and leads to soap being it’s own natural chemical compound. A special homemade substance that keeps our bodies and homes clean and hygienic.
How do you make soap?
You make natural soap by saponifying oils and lye. This begins to happen when the soap comes to ‘trace’
Why does soap sweat?
This is because the soap has glycerin added during the manufacturing process. The glycerin is natural and an excellent cleaner. However, it is also very good at attracting any moisture in the air.
What is MP soap?
Melt and Pour Soap Base (MP) MP is touted as the easiest way to make soap without lye. Also known as glycerin soap, melt and pour allows the soap maker to select the desired soap base and customize it to whatever extent they wish. Following is a quick video of how to create melt and pour soap in a microwave. How to Customize Melt & Pour Soap.
What is cold process soap?
Also known as hand milling, rebatching cold process soap involves breaking large chunks of soap into small pieces, heating them until they melt, and putting them in a mold. Sound familiar? If you have ever done melt and pour, it will seem very familiar.
What is saponification in soap?
What is saponification? Saponification is a chemical reaction that turns fat, or oils, into soap. It is the process of making soap from scratch using lye carefully measured and mixed with oil or...
How long does it take for re-batch soap to harden?
While it has already undergone the saponification process and it is ready to use soap, you will still need to let it harden for several weeks depending on how much liquid you added during the re-batch process
Why is it called re-batch?
The reason re-batch is also known as hand milling is because the soap must be shredded or otherwise cut into very small pieces in order to be evenly melted using minimal amounts of added liquid.
How much does a hand crank grater cost?
Hand crank models can be purchased for about $25 while electric models are usually $35-$45.
What is the main type of lye used in soap making?
There are two main types of lye used in soap making: sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.
Why use lye in soap?
Sometimes both lye types are used in a single batch of soap to make a softer solid soap that required a creamier texture. This is common is shaving soaps and is a bit more of an advanced technique.
What happens when you add lye to water?
Lye should be handled with caution and respect. The instant the alkali is added to water it begins to dissolve and creates a what is known as an exothermic reaction. This means the “solution” undergoes a dramatic temperature increase.
What is soap made of?
All soap is created by combining fats/oils with an alkali (i.e./ lye). BUT you can use something called melt and pour soap base, which no longer contains lye, to make soap products.
Why is detergent used in cleaning?
In general, detergent is often used because it is cheap and produces large bubbles that most people assume means great cleaning power. It does not, by the way.
What temperature does alkali water reach?
When using room temperature water, the alkali solution can reach – and potentially exceed, 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). Nearly boiling, this will scald, and cause severe burns to the skin.
How to store lye?
Store lye in a clearly labeled sealed container, in a cool and dry place, NOT accessible by children or pets.
How to make soap melt faster?
Gently stir your soap cubes as they melt down--it will go a little faster. You'll be surprised how fast melt and pour actually melts! I always am!
Why do you start with melt and pour soap?
The benefit to starting out with Melt & Pour soap making is being able to try out soap making easily. You'll be able to decide if it's something you want to pursue for real, without having to be concerned with dealing with lye. You can be as creative as you like, and get a feel for whether or not making your own handmade soap is something you'll enjoy.
What is soap made of?
ALL soap (true soap, that is), is made using a lye solution and oil ( s). The lye solution chemically changes the molecular structure of the oils so you end up with soap! It's pretty cool, actually. Even the FDA has very strict rules about what can be labeled, "soap.".
How much essential oil should I use for a pound of soap?
For scents, I prefer essential oils. You don't need a whole lot for one pound of melt and pour soap---I'd start out with 1/2 tablespoon of total essential oils per pound of melt and pour base.
What is soap aisle called?
Go check out the so-called "soap" aisle. Most are called "cleansing bars," or "beauty bars," etc., all euphemisms for blocks of gruesome chemicals. Check out this article, " Killer Toxins Lurking in Your Soap " for more information!
Is pour soap natural?
Melt and pour soaps have different ingredients, and they're processed to melt easily. Therefore, they're not "truly" natural soaps in my opinion. However, the word, "natural" according to the cosmetics industry can mean a lab-created ingredient that is exactly the same as the natural counterpart, from my understanding.
Can you change the composition of melt and pour soap?
You get a feel for the kinds of additives you love, and the kinds of scents you like. You can even change the composition of the melt and pour soap a bit by adding clays, salts, honey, etc. ! Pretty cool, right?
What Exactly Is Lye?
Lye is a sodium hydroxide chemical and is highly caustic; meaning it’ll burn your skin and/or eyes. It also produces harmful fumes – when wet – which can damage your lungs.
The Dangers Associated with Lye
There are a variety of risks and dangers associated the use of lye. It comes in a dry, granular form for mixing.
Melt and Pour Soap Making is like Reheating Food
Melt and Pour soap making involves using a ready-made base for your soap. These soap bases have already gone through saponification.
To Recap
You can’t make soap without lye but, by using pre-made melt-and-pour soap bases, you can make soap without coming into direct contact with it.
How to clean molds with soap?
Cover the molds in petroleum jelly and fill them with the soap mixture. Spray the top of the soap with rubbing alcohol.
How to get molds out of molds?
Coat the molds in petroleum jelly and fill them with your soap mixture. Spray the top of the soap with rubbing alcohol and allow it to cool for 3 hours or until it has cooled completely before removing them from the molds.
How to make soap with essential oil?
Bring the water to a boil and pour it over the herbs in your mixing bowl. Add approximately 6 drops of the essential oil and return this mixture to the heat, but do not allow it to boil again. Continue stirring throughout the process to ensure a uniform consistency in the finished soap.
How to melt grated soap bar?
Melt the grated soap bar using a double boiler on a low flame. Stir constantly to ensure even melting.
How long does it take for soap to set in a mold?
Remove your mixture from the heat and allow it to uniformly cool. Add the soap to your molds and allow them to set for 2-3 days or until they have solidified completely. Remove the soap from the mold at this point and you will be able to use it immediately.
Why is lye used in soap?
Lye is essential in making soap for it reacts with the other ingredients in the soap to produce the final bar. However, it is very caustic and can burn living tissue such as skin in its raw form. The key to diminish the use of lye is adding glycerin. Read on to learn how to make soap without lye by mixing ingredients in proper amounts. There are also videos to give you an example.
How long to heat glycerin in microwave?
Heat one glycerin in a microwave for 30 second intervals until it is evenly melted. You can also melt the glycerin in a double boiler.
How to clean soap base?
You will have to cut up your soap base into smaller chunks as this way the soap base will melt a lot easier. You can fairly easily cut the soap base with a knife, although some soap bases have such a high-fat content that it will be difficult to clean the knife. For this, you might want to squeeze a lemon, and use the juice to clean the knife, as the citric acid dislodges and breaks down the fat molecules from the knife and it will be a lot easier to clean.
What is the fragrance of soap?
The fragrance is how your homemade soap will smell, and you can customize your soap how you want it to smell. A lot of people will tell you to use essential oils, especially if you are in an online mommy group. These essential oils, are not meant for soap making, although the people selling them will tell you that they are virtually good for everything. The truth is that these essential oils are chemically processed oils and they just add some type of fragrance to it.
How to make soap with fragrance?
Choosing a fragrance for the soap. Cutting the soap base. Use a double boiler to make soap. Melting the soap base. Adding the color to the soap. Adding fragrance to the soap. Using silicone molds to shape the soap. Adding herbs and seeds to soap. Adding alcohol to soap.
Why does my soap itch?
So if you are making your own soap and your skin itches then the most likely culprit is the lye, and that you probably added too much lye to the soap . Lye is also some kind of binding agent between the water, fats, and the different oils you might use for your soap.
How to make soap without lye?
If you do not want to handle lye, then your best option to make homemade soap is to use the melt and pour method. The melt end pour method is by far one of the easiest and the safest way to make soap without lye. The problem is that if you do not want to handle lye then you can not make soap from scratch. You will need a soap base, this will already have the right amount of lye in it, and it is perfectly safe to handle.
How to melt soap?
To melt soap you need heat, but with too much heat you can actually burn your soap and you will probably ruin the boiler. Just fill the bottom boiler with some water, and place the second boiler on top, this way the soap will not burn as it is not in direct contact with the flame.
What happens if you don't add lye to soap?
The problem is that if you do not add lye to your soap then the ingredients will not mix. The end result will be a messy water, with chunks of fat and oil on the surface , which you will never be able to use as a soap.
