Natural Soap Making for Beginners: an introduction to natural soap making ingredients including oils, butters, lye, essential oils, & natural color
We begin the process of natural soap making by learning about the ingredients you’ll use. Oils, butters, essential oils, botanicals, and of course lye. The series continues with an introduction to the equipment you need and soap making safety, a few basic recipes, how to formulate your own recipes, and finally a piece showing how to make handmade soap. If you’d like a sneak peek, watch the video below.
Natural Soap Making for Beginners Series
An introduction to natural soap making ingredients
How I learned how to make Soap
Through trial and error, a lot of time spent scouring the internet and books, and quite a few unsuccessful batches, I now have a successful process and a great range of products.
Most of my soap is now destined for shops around the Isle of Man and for direct sale. Some of it is used at home in the bath, kitchen, and even laundry. I now love sharing tips on how to make natural soap and created this series to show you how too.
What is ‘Natural’ Soap?
For me, making natural soap means avoiding the use of any ingredients that could be toxic or are manufactured in ways that use questionable substances or methods. This means that I personally don’t use artificial dyes, perfumes, or additives in my own soap.
While some people might want to try to make soap for fun and aren’t too fussed about using all natural, my thoughts on the subject are that if you’re going to go to the effort of making handmade soap why not make a product that is going to be completely safe for you, your friends, your little ones, and your entire family?
Cold-process soap making ingredients I use include solid and liquid oils, lye, fragrance, botanicals, color, and anti-oxidants
What is soap made from?
Most people ask me how to make soap but maybe the first question that should be asked is ‘What is Soap’? At the heart of all soap recipes are two main ingredients: oil and lye, also known by its chemical name Sodium Hydroxide. Your soap making recipe will, through a simple but controlled process, chemically bond these two ingredients into a new compound – Soap!
I’ll go through the process in a later post but let’s first look at your ingredients. The below is only meant as an introduction to your options and each section could be expanded upon with enough information to literally fill books. If you’re looking for places to find soap ingredients please sign up for my free newsletter — you’ll receive an e-book on clever places to find natural and inexpensive soap making ingredients.
Lye, in cold-process soap making, is also called sodium hydroxide or caustic soda
Lye / Sodium Hydroxide
Right, let’s talk lye. I’d like to start off by stating that you absolutely cannot make your own soap without lye. A lot of people shy away from making soap due to experience with the harsh lye soap their grandmothers made or because the thought of putting caustic soda into personal care products scares or puts them off.
As I shared above, soap making is essentially the chemical reaction between oils, which are acids, and lye, which is a base. Together they will form a completely new material which will be gentle and nearly neutral in PH.
If you’d like to make soap but are still feeling a bit unsure about handling Sodium Hydroxide then I’d suggest that you look into purchasing ‘Melt-and-Pour’ soap. It’s pre-made soap that you melt, add extra ingredients and scent, and then pour into molds.
Water
You use water in soap making to activate the lye and disperse it through the oils. Most of this water evaporates out of your bars during the curing process. That means that your finished bars might be slightly smaller than when you first took them out of their molds.
As a beginner, use the water amount shown in the soap recipe you’re about to use. This will usually be formulated to give you a 33-38% lye concentration. As you get more experienced you can water discount your soap batches but I don’t recommend you do this at first. Trace time can speed up and the shade of the soap may differ from what you expect.
Liquid oils like olive and castor oil are much used in cold-process soap making
Oils & Fats
You can use any oil or fat to make soap. Most soap recipes include 3-6 oils but some have a lot more, or less. Soaps made from a single oil, such as castile (olive oil) soap are uncommon because very few single oils make a good soap. Different oils give different properties to soap including hardness, lather, creaminess, and conditioning.
Most soap recipes are also super-fatted. This means adding extra oils at the very end of the soap making process that will be free-floating in your bars. These extra oils don’t combine with lye and makes the difference between a bar of soap that’s cleansing and a bar of soap that’s cleansing and moisturizing.
If you’re a beginner, please stick to using tried and tested recipes. Ones that you know will be simple and have a high success rate. If you do need to change a soap recipe or if you’d like to understand more about oils, fatty acid profiles, and advanced soap recipe customization, head over here.
Shea butter is a popular super-fatting oil
Common oils used in soap making
- Beeswax – Beeswax Vegetarian but not Vegan, this wax will add hardness to your soap and a beautiful scent. Use only small amounts of beeswax in your recipes since it stops lathering at larger quantities.
- Cocoa Butter – Organic Cocoa Butter provides gorgeous moisture and skin protection and also helps to harden your soap. Use in smaller percentages as a ‘superfatting’ oil.
- Coconut oil – Coconut Oil creates a hard bar with loads of fluffy lather and cleansing power.
- Olive oil – Olive oil Pomace soap made with olive oil is sensitive, conditioning, and great for all skin types.
- Palm oil – Palm Oil a great oil for soap making but one that is very controversial. Palm plantations in south-east Asia have led to devastating deforestation and loss of habitat for animals such as Orangutans. If you choose to use Palm oil please consider using oil that’s been certified as sustainable and try to learn more about where exactly its being grown and by whom.
- Soybean oil – Soybean oil helps create a conditioning bar with a stable lather
- Shea Butter – Shea Butter An interesting oil since it has more difficulty turning into soap than other oils and will often stay in your soap as moisturizing butter rather than soap. Use in smaller percentages as a ‘superfatting’ oil.
- Sweet Almond oil – Sweet Almond Oil used for its light feeling and ability to moisturize and condition the skin. Use in smaller percentages as a ‘super-fatting’ oil.
Antioxidants
Preservatives are only used in ‘wet’ products since water creates a habitat where bacteria can grow. Soap does not require preservatives since the water that you use in the recipe will evaporate out.
If you’re Super-fatting your recipe (which you should definitely do) then what you will need is an antioxidant to help free-floating oils stay stable and not go rancid. There are two main antioxidants that soap makers use in very small quantities at the very end of the soap making process.
- Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) – Grapefruit Seed Extract extracted from the seeds and pulp of grapefruit this thick and clear liquid doesn’t add a scent to your soap and is very effective at keeping other oils from spoiling.
- Rosemary Oleoresin Extract (ROE) – Rosemary Oleoresin extracted from Rosemary leaves and quite a thick and strong smelling herbal liquid.
There’s a big difference between fragrance oils and essential oils
Soap Fragrance
Some people will choose to let their soap scent speak for itself and leave it to smell like simple, clean, handmade soap. Another idea is to use oils in your recipe like sesame or beeswax since they will impart their own unique and natural fragrances. I create an unscented soap fragranced only the natural aroma of oatmeal. It’s proven popular with those with extremely sensitive skin.
However, the most common way to scent soap is with either essential oils or cosmetic grade fragrance oils.
Handmade soap naturally colored with cochineal
Essential oils vs Fragrance oils
If you prefer the idea of natural scent then I’d suggest you’d stick with essential oils. They’re concentrated plant and flower extracts and come in a fairly extensive range. The downside of using essential oils is their expense and propensity for fading with time. It’s especially problematic for citrus essential oils such as lemon and orange. To learn more about what percentages of essential oils to use in your recipes visit this page.
Fragrance oils are commercially produced perfumes for the toiletry industry. They’re relatively inexpensive, have scent that lasts ages, and have a much more varied range to choose from. If you like baby powder scented soap or a shampoo that smells like coconut then you’ll need to use fragrance oils.
The thing I feel most uncomfortable about in regards to fragrance oils is that they are trademarked and patent protected. That means that you’ll never truly know all the ingredients used to make them. In many cases fragrance oils are made of petrochemicals and allergens that cause people to sneeze or have skin reactions
Personally I enjoy soap that’s subtly scented and leaves your skin smelling lovely. I’ve used essential oils in my soap from the the beginning but have also experimented with using fragrance oils. Both have their pros and cons and you’ll need to decide on what’s best for you and your customers.
Essential oils are concentrated plant essences including peppermint, lavender, rosemary, and rose-geranium
Scent Fixer
Above I mentioned that the scent of essential oils can fade over time but there are ways to ‘fix’ the scent so that they’ll last longer. Sometimes another essential oil can help the others to stick and at other times it’s best to use another additive that works to absorb the essential oils into it.
Fixers are a bit more advanced in soap making but I thought I’d add them in so that those experimenting with making nice smelling soap aren’t frustrated by their soap’s scent evaporating during the curing process. Here are some of the choices you’ll come across:
- Arrowroot – use as little as a teaspoon in 800g (28oz) batches Arrowroot
- Benzoin – available as both a powder and as an essential oil Benzoin Essential Oil
- Cornstarch – use as little as a teaspoon in 800g (28oz) batches. Corn Starch
- Oatmeal – this is one that I’ve discovered on my own. Using fine blended oatmeal in your soap will add light exfoliation and will absorb and hang onto your essential oils.
- Orris Root Powder – made from the dried and powdered root of the Iris (Iris germanica) and has a woodsy and violet scent of its own. Orris Root powder
- Essential oils – May Chang (Litsea cubea) and base note essential oils such as Cedarwood, Patchouli, and Balsams are all great at grounding the other essential oils in the blend. May Chang Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Patchouli Oil, Balsam Fir Needle Oil.
Use clays, mineral powders, and dried plant material to color soap
Soap Colors
In natural soap making you have several options for coloring your soap which will include powders you can purchase from specialty suppliers and even flowers and plants that could be growing in your garden right now.
Your other option is to choose oils that will impart a natural hue to your soap. These could include clays, plant extracts, or ingredients that will caramelise and give a warm color to the finished product.
- Oil Selection – some of your oils, such as olive oil, will impart a more yellow or creamy color. White and/or light colored oils will create white soap.
- Clays – though limited in palette, cosmetic clays can add beautiful natural color to your soap. Clays can also create bars that lightly exfoliate and detox the skin.
- Minerals & Micas – Mineral and Mica powders are available in a wide range of colors that can help you hit most of the hues of the rainbow. However, not everyone considers them natural. They’re more accurately labelled as ‘Nature identical’ rather than ‘Natural’. Minerals and micas are found in nature but are often tainted with unsafe heavy metals and are unsafe to use. That’s why the ones available for mineral make-up and soap making are reproduced in a controlled environment.
- Sugars – milk, sugar, and honey will caramelise if you add them to your batch before trace. They’ll do the same thing if your soaping temperature is warm enough — over 105F in my experience.
- Herbs, Flowers, & Roots – Nature creates all types of wonderful colors useful in soap making. Use calendula petals for golden orange, alkanet root for purples, and Madder root for pink. I even have a soap-maker friend who uses fresh Spinach to give her soap a brilliant green hue.
- Learn more about naturally colouring your soaps
Pin this for later on Pinterest
Botanicals
The word botanicals simply means natural fruit, flower, leaf, and root additives that impart either color, visual interest, or exfoliation to your soap.
There is some conjecture as to how much of the original properties found in these ingredients survive the soap making process. Try adding them to your recipes and judge for yourself. Using botanicals in soap is optional.
- Botanical oils – mainly used in the super-fatting phase and may include rose-hip oil, neem oil, and borage seed oil. With the exception of neem, it’s my opinion that the addition of these oils to soap might be a waste in cold-process soap since their beneficial components can be destroyed by heat. Probably save them for making handmade lotion and cream, melt-and-pour soap, or mill your finished soap and mix them in after.
- Dried Fruit & Spices – lemon and orange slices, peppercorns, and cinnamon sticks are just some of the items you can add to your soap to create holiday or scent themed designs. Others, like Turmeric powder, can also provide vibrant natural color.
- Exfoliants – Rolled oats, ground almonds, and ground pumice stone can all be added at small amounts to create a more scrubby soap.
- Herbs & Flowers – these can be used to both decorate and tint your soap. Use infusions of flowers and herbs in place of some or all of the water content and feel free to use dried flowers on both the tops and interiors of your soap. A word of caution though in using flower petals – most will discolor during the soap making and curing process.
- Roots – there are various roots with medicinal value that can be used in soap making. However, the effectiveness of the active ingredients can be questionable in your final product. Alkanet and Madder root are roots used purely for color and tend to be added by infusing liquid oils with the dried root. You can also add a powdered version of the root directly to the soap.
Use dried alkanet root to naturally tint soap purple
Where to purchase your Soap Making Ingredients
First of all I encourage you to pop into your local bulk foods wholesaler or cash-and-carry. See what they have on offer since you can often get a much better deal than with specialty soap and beauty suppliers.
Always make sure to check the best by date of the oils you’re purchasing. Often times the oil in supermarkets can be close to their expiration date. Using old oil in soap making can lead to a lot of issues from dreaded orange spots to a short shelf-life.
Secondly I’d like to emphasize is that it’s easy to spend a small fortune when starting out making your own soap. You don’t need much to get started so try to resist purchasing expensive oils and equipment. At least until you’ve made a few batches and know better what you want. For more ideas on where to get soap ingredients head over here.
You can continue on to the next three parts of this series through the links below. Have a watch of the below video to see how to make a simple batch of soap.
Caroline says
Hi Tanya, apologies if this has already been asked and answered – I tried reading through all the comments but there are too many! My question is – you list ‘distilled water’ in your recipes but you don’t talk about it in your piece about ingredients. Is it important to have distilled as opposed to spring or filtered water? I live in Bulgaria and don’t think I can buy it so what do you recommend? Thank you, Caroline
lovelygreens says
Hi Caroline, the issue is that tap water often contains minerals that can affect the soap’s lather and increase soap scum. Distilled is best but rainwater and bottled water can be good options too.
Trevelyn Smith says
I wanted to ask you – i have unrefined shea butter which is quite pungent (i haven’t yet managed to source refined shea butter here in SA) – can i still use this, will the smell affect my final product or will it not be so bad 🙁
lovelygreens says
Hi Trevelyn. Yes, it does scent soap but you can often mask it with essential oils if you don’t like it. Make a small batch that’s unscented (use this recipe: https://lovelygreens.com/eco-friendly-cold-process-soap-recipe-instructions/ ) and decide after. You can use this chart to work out how much essential oil to add: https://lovelygreens.com/make-soap-with-essential-oils/
Trevelyn says
Hi Tanya
I have been browsing and watching endless youtube videos, but this is the most helpful and informative site i have come across. Thank you so much 🙂 As a newbie to soapmaking, i obviously want to just jump in head first and just go crazy but your advice has been very thoughtful and much appreciated.
lovelygreens says
You’re so welcome, and I hope the ideas and information help you on your soap making journey 🙂
Helen Pearce says
Hi Tanya
I’m really happy with my soap making now but I’m struggling getting fragrances to hold. Not a problem for me but my relatives who I gift them to would prefer a smellier soap. What do you recommend particularly for citrus?
lovelygreens says
I would say to avoid citrus essential oils, with the exceptions of litsea cubeba (may chang), bergamot, grapefruit, and lemongrass. Those are the only ones I work with and aside from May Chang, the others can be temperamental too.
Aleksandra says
Hello ,
When buying a ”ready Soap compound ” after I melt it can I still add oils, butters etc or just fregrance an some dry flowers?
Alex
lovelygreens says
If you’re using melt-and-pour soap you can add a little oil or melted butters to it (about a teaspoon-ish). Too much and the soap will ooze oil and have low lathering.
Resa says
Hello, in aiming for a fixer to hold the scent of essential oil in my soap which is recommended grapefruit seed extract oil or arrowroot powder? I’m a lover of natural colouring and scent in my soap scrub and balms.
lovelygreens says
Grapefruit seed extract doesn’t fix scent — it’s used as an antioxidant. As for fixing scent, you only need to try this if your batches are losing scent quickly. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Though I mention fixers in this piece I’d actually recommend revising the scents in a recipe. It’s far easier and there are many essential oils that are suitable for soap making, even citrus oils.
Sarah says
Hi,
I’m just beginning to learn about making my own soaps and I am so happy I found your page. What great information! I’m just about ready to dive in but gathering the equipment I need feels a bit intimidating. Do you have any recommendations for where to purchase materials or know of any good starter setups? Thank you!
lovelygreens says
Check out the next piece in this series on equipment and safety. There are tips for finding what you need there — there are links in this piece to redirect you to it.
Beth says
I ran across your site from Pinterest.
I have 2 daughters, 3 and 7. The three year old LOVES making stuff with me.
Are there any ways to make soap naturally that are safe to let the three year old do as well?
I make candles and cant let her join due to having to boil water and how hot the melted wax gets. I’m not wanting her to get burned.
My kids love soap. I’d use no scents (7 year old has a bit of an Eczema problem and has done well with most products, including bath bombs and soap we made from kid kits and I bought off Etsy, but broke out when I bought a cheaply made bomb from Walmart)
I’m interested in the one made from beeswax. Should I stick with kits or are there home made ways to let my 3 year old join in without worrying about her burning herself?
lovelygreens says
Unfortunately bath bombs aren’t great for skin prone to eczema — avoid all of them, purchased or handmade. The bicarbonate (baking soda) and citric acid in them strip the skin’s protective mantle and can cause irritation. As for soap making, your outlook in getting your kids involved will set the tone. I was sewing, using knives, and up to all sorts by age 5 but was taught to handle everything with respect. Make candles with your kids if you’d like, or try melt-and-pour soap. If they get a slight burn from hot water, which is unlikely with your supervision, then teach them that it’s a learning experience.
Danielle says
I really love the properties of coconut oil and the scent of coconut. Could you recommend a recipe for a coconut soap?
Khair Muhammad says
I have tried myself soap making, although i was successful in making good and hard soap bars but not foaming and no smell i used Caustic soda, distilled water, single vegetable oil, and lemon, sugar, salt as additives,Can you help with those problem? I need some good advices
Thanks in advance!!!
lovelygreens says
Hi Khair — the reason that your soap isn’t bubbly is because pure vegetable oil (if it’s canola, sunflower) doesn’t create a good lathering soap. As a beginner I’d highly recommend that you use tried and tested soap recipes until you become more experienced. There are a lot of factors that go into creating a recipe that you might not have learned yet. I have tons of soap recipes that you can check out over here: https://lovelygreens.com/category/beauty/soap/
Khair Muhammad says
I have tried myself soap making, although i was successful in making good and hard soap bars but not foaming and no smell i used Caustic soda, distilled water, single vegetable oil, and lemon, sugar, salt as additives,Can you help with those problem?
Thanks in advance!!!
LKFABKART - B2B Marketplace for Indian textiles says
I have a weird attraction of soap fragrances and textures. Wish I could start making my own herbal soaps. I have bookmarked your post.
Have you also written to make bath bombs??
Prisca says
i love this. thank you a lot for the information
angelica montoya says
I am SO happy to have found your page! Your posts, blogs are very informational and you truly explain things so well. Thank you!
My question is about coconut milk, or any plant based milk. Powder or liquid? How would either be used?
I feel like you probable already answered this question so I feel bad asking it again!
I really really would like to add coconut milk to my soaps. Any information is appreciated!
lovelygreens says
Hi Angelica and happy to help 🙂 Coconut milk can be used to replace part of the water content of most recipes — 1/3 of the water content or less is best. You’d add the liquid coconut milk at ‘Trace’. Powdered coconut milk can also be added at Trace but I’d pre-mix it in a little water beforehand. Just to make sure it doesn’t cause any lumps in your recipe.
Teresa says
Hi, I love your soaps! So beautiful and perfect. May I ask which mold you use as your soaps are soooo perfect, love them. Thank you!
lovelygreens says
I use various moulds but most of them are silicone.
Chondra Stark says
I am looking for a melt and pour recipe using Tallow and other essential oils for scent and therapeutic values…do you have any suggestions?
Roseann Norod says
Hello, I am new to soapmaking and I am enjoying your page. Learning a lot. So anxious to make my first soap! Question about coconut oil. We buy organic, virgin, cold pressed unrefined for cooking. For soap can it be the refined type since flavor doesn’t matter? OR do we need the same one we eat. Also, I bought some wonderful lavender soap that had some type of needles or plant things in it, so it is a little exfoliate. I don’t think it was lavender flowers, but maybe? Thoughts on what to use? I am also wondering about the sodium lactate. I saw some on Amazon that appears to be a powder. How would that be used..would the diluted water have to be counted in the total mixture , and how much water is needed to dilute /mix it? Thank you for the awesome resources!
lovelygreens says
Hi Roseann! Use the refined coconut oil for soap making — it’s cheaper, unscented, and the cold-pressed lovely stuff is far better used in cooking. As for the lavender soap, it might have had rosemary pieces in it? Sodium lactate generally comes as a powder and you stir it into your cooled lye water before it’s added to the oils. The amount of water you use in your recipes is generally recommended to be 38% of the total amount of oils used in the recipe. As a beginner, just stick with other people’s recipes for now though — too much can go wrong if you try formulating your own. Hope this helps 🙂
Sovichet Tep says
Nice tutorial with great information about soapmaking. I would love to try it someday.
Redshed says
Natural and no harmful. Very useful. Can you pls share the homemade conditioner?
Tara says
This is going to be great! My first soap recipe. Wish me luck!
lovelygreens says
Good luck Tara and have fun 🙂
Soap says
Can’t wait to try this! I love homemade soap and have been looking for good detailed site to use. I will let you know how it turns out😃
lovelygreens says
Brilliant 🙂 Hope this gets you started making loads of your own natural soap
Jackie says
Thank you for this post! my daughter and I are interested in starting this as a hobby together and you explain everything perfectly!
lovelygreens says
You’re so welcome Jackie 🙂 Happy soaping!
Liydmila says
Hi Tanya. I am fro Ukraine. Thank you for your site it really is, as inspiration and edification. I’m new in the manufacture of soaps and want to ask about the ingredients in the soap coloring. I care about the issue if you use natural ingredients such as spices, carrot juice, beet, turmeric powder and other substances not be painted with soap if their detergent power, namely, the color of the foam or whether they painted hands and face after washing. Thank you. Lyudmila
Liydmila says
Hi Tanya. I am fro Ukraine. Thank you for your site it really is, as inspiration and edification. I’m new in the manufacture of soaps and want to ask about the ingredients in the soap coloring. I care about the issue if you use natural ingredients such as spices, carrot juice, beet, turmeric powder and other substances not be painted with soap if their detergent power, namely, the color of the foam or whether they painted hands and face after washing. Thank you. Lyudmila
Autographs says
I really want to do this. I currently buy tree tea oil soap but it only lasts about a week and costs me £2. Making my own I would like to use tree oil and aloe vera as I have a lot of this in the house.
Would you recommend buying a kit to start off?
lovelygreens says
Using a melt-and-pour base might be an ideal solution for you. All you have to do is melt the pre-made soap and then add the essential oil and aloe vera gel. I’d recommend this melt-and-pour base for you: http://amzn.to/2xI2RY5
Arefa says
Hi Tanya. I tried making the honey and oats soap recipe of yours. There was a problem though. Because of the monsoon season and lots of rain this year my soap doesnt harden even after 48 hrs in the mold.And also it sweats. Please give sme solution. Thanks.
lovelygreens says
Hi Arefa — even with Monsoon weather your soap should have hardened. Try again and make sure that all of your ingredients are weighed properly — it sounds like you have too much oil in the soap you’ve made.
Soniya says
Hi Tanya. I really appreciate your article. Its was really complete and knowledgeable. I learn a lot and i took notes… It is about two weeks that I am searching for a reliable source for my questions about soaping and ingredients and finally your site was the best fully encouraged one. Thanks a bunch dear
lovelygreens says
You’re very welcome Soniya! Happy soaping 🙂
Meera says
Nice article , would like your advice on what could I substitute sls powder with for pedicure bath bombs since it’s a main ingredient to form bubbles.SLSA is not available here . I would like to keep the ingredients as natural as possible but soap bombs are more popular for the effects. Thanks in advance .
Meera
lovelygreens says
Hi Meera, I’m not aware of any natural ingredients that you can use to create bubbles like SLS. Neither SLSA or SLES are natural either.
Fortune says
Thank you for the lecture. I love making soap but I want to really study about soap making before venturing. Please is their any materials you can recommend I read. Thanks
lovelygreens says
All you really need to get started is in this soap making series. Just make some 🙂
wubshet bekele says
Great post, thank you for sharing this great tip, I am very grateful to have clarified all my doubts and it was of great help for me to continue to move in my learning process.
i need to make a soap by my own so i learn more from your post its so nice thank you
but i need some steps to make it i you can you email me and help me
Alex says
Great post, thank you for sharing this great tip, I am very grateful to have clarified all my doubts and it was of great help for me to continue to move in my learning process.
Khadijah Mokoele says
Hallo Tanya.I leave in south Africa.we have a lot of aloe vera plant.l do bodyscrubs and add it to aguas cream.I would really appreciate if you can help me with a soap recipe please.
Abbey says
Hi Tanya,
I have really found your articles very useful and simple to understand. However, I am having difficulty finding lye in the UK, is there a specific website you can please direct me to apart from the US site?
lovelygreens says
Hi Abbey! Lye is called Sodium Hydroxide or Caustic Soda in the UK. You can get it here on Amazon.co.uk
Sheba Bako says
Hi, I am interested to learn, how to make soap, can you help me with the list of all the ingredients that matters in making soap, then the quantity as a first beginner please.
Greta says
This is fantastic congratulations from the bottom of my mama heart that likes to do everything at home with love and nature’s gifts
Theresa 'Lux-U says
I found this information on pinInterest and it is very useful. Im a beginner to soapmaking and the information your presented on oils, additives and curing is encouraging. Thanks again and I look forward to your newsletters.
Jose says
Hi Tanya,
Thanks a lot for the great info! That is really helpful.
About the scent fixers, did you tried all that you listed? Which ones work best? Do you use more than one together?
lovelygreens says
I’ve tried them all (not together though) and my favourite is Orris Root Powder. I make a lot of floral essential oil soaps though and the scent works well with them.
Jose says
I read great things about kaolin clay. Did you use it? How does it compare with Orris Root Powder? How much do you use it of Orris? Thank a lot again!
lovelygreens says
I don’t use Kaolin but yes, it should also be on the list. The rule for usage is 1 Tablespoon of Kaolin per pound (454g) of oil.
Jose says
And how much of Orris do you use?
lovelygreens says
One teaspoon per pound (454g) of oil.
Francis says
Thank you all the information you released about Soap making, am a new starter in soap making, this information will help alot. Thank you and God bless you.
lovelygreens says
You’re very welcome Francis — happy soaping!
Jeanette says
Thanks so much for your information on making soap. I just begun this adventure and your information was very helpful. I made my first batch yesterday!
Sanjay Arora says
Tanya, Thanks for valuable information, Tanya i would like to start soap making for business purpose, As this is my first attempt, so i would like to ask a few queries, Because you are very talented and very much experienced..
Tanya, At initial stage what would be safe to use Lye or Melt pour soap base, If you are going to suggest Melt pour soap base, then please let us know can we add Olive oil, coconut oil or any essential oil to this soap base…, Should we add essential oils, if yes then let us know Proper %ge of oils.
If you are going to suggest Lye, then also we need proper formulation to make a good soap.
Respected Tanya, I know it would be tough for you to explain formulation due to your busy schedule, But this is my request to share a few perfect recipes with us, At initial stage we need your kind support and co operation, Without this we cant get success.
Marianne Kuiper Milks says
Hi. I think I found what I have been looking for! The ‘problem’ is that I don’t have the time to begin by playing with all these magical options. Somewhere in this wonderful post I read that you also offer classes. I think that’s exactly what I am looking for. I can explain my ‘rush’ later. Good story.
I live in the USA, my daughter lives near Eastbourne, UK. I would love to come and have fun with this. Please send me more information, and thank you for your excellently designed and written article!
Marianne
lovelygreens says
Hi Marianne and yes, I do offer lessons. I’m based on the Isle of Man which would be a flight for you from the UK. I’ll send you further information via email but the lesson information is online at: http://lovelygreens-shop.com/shop/soap-making-class/
Adrian N Kappel says
I’ve made quite a few batches of soap now! It’s been very fun learning so much as I go! I do have one question. I am putting oats and all of my soap however I’m still seen the scent fade. In your opinion, which is the best scent fixer you have used?
lovelygreens says
Are you using citrusy essential oils – lemon, orange, lemongrass?
Glenn says
Tanya, I have a soap-making question for you. I have made several batches (both hot and cold approaches) and the end product is usable; however the texture tends to be gritty, a bit dry, and it crumbles easily. Do you have any thoughts about what I can do to improve the end product? Thanks so much!!
lovelygreens says
Would you send me the recipe you’re using? It might also be that you’re using sugars in your soap – either milk, honey, or something else? Too much sugar can mean crumbly soap.
Glenn says
Tanya, here is a link to the site where I obtained my recipe. I have never used sugars in my soap (only EVOO and coconut oil). I have used this recipe for both hot and cold processes as well. Most recently I added some extra water at the end of the process (hot process), which helped (but only a little). Thanks again for your thoughts.
http://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-soap-2/
lovelygreens says
Hi Glenn and thanks for passing on the recipe. It’s all based on volume measurements and not weight so I’d never use it personally. Not unless I weighed it all out and put it into the SoapCalc to make sure it’s ok.
Glenn says
Ok, Tanya I will simply try your approach and let you know how it goes. Thanks again!!
lovelygreens says
Yes, please do and good luck!
Glenn says
Also, one question: Why is it that volume measurements aren’t as good? I’m not sure I understand this point you have made. Thanks.
lovelygreens says
They’re just too inexact – soapmaking is more chemistry than cooking and precise measurements are required.
Lesley says
Hi Tanya
I want to use calendula powder in my soap recipe 1kg, how much powder should I use? I have used petals infused in oil but this has not produced a colour no matter how long I leave them infusing.
Thank you for all the information on your website, very interesting. My first soap batch was your daffodil recipe, it was very successful. Thank you.
lovelygreens says
Hi Lesley and really pleased my soap making tips are helping you out 🙂 First of all, there are several shades of Calendula ranging from yellow to bright orange. You need the vibrant orange ones to provide colour in your infused oil. If you’re going to use the powder then keep it down to roughly 1-3% of your recipe. For a 1kg batch that would be 10-30g. Just note that using powder or chopped petals will likely leave orangey specks in your soap.
Maddy says
I Apply homemade soap but i got pimples is it save if i make my self ?
Helen says
Hi there – this is such a fab read, Thank you. Quick question – how would you determine the shelf life of soap and hand made cosmetic products whether that’s just for yourself or for selling?
lovelygreens says
Hi Helen! For products with water content it’s very specific to how long the preservative lasts. After that, bacteria can begin to grow and no one wants that! For soap, balms, and bath fizzies (and any other product without a water content) it’s the closest expiry date of the ingredients you used. If you use coconut oil that’s best by next month then commercially that’s your use-by date. As for making products for yourself, you can be more flexible with non-water based products.
Whitney says
Thank you so much for posting this detailed article! I have been wanting to make soap for such a long time, but have been intimidated by the lack of information and know how. After reading, I think I’m finally ready to five it a shot!
Alan says
Love this! I have been using Bulk Apothecary (http://www.bulkapothecary.com/categories/soap-making-supplies.html) for my soap making supplies. I see you use NOW quite a bit. What is the reason behind that? Thank you.
Bridget shabangu says
I would like to have yo contact details , am interested to know learn about making soap
lovelygreens says
Hi Bridget – this is my contact page: https://lovelygreens.com/contact-us/
Amanda says
Love the blog and soap you make. I use Bulk apothecary (http://www.bulkapothecary.com/categories/soap-making-supplies.html ) supplies for soap making. Is that what you use? If not what do you use?
lovelygreens says
I’m in Britain so use other cosmetic ingredient suppliers 🙂
Bonnie says
Your ingredient list is wonderful! Thank you for sharing. I have several that I have purchased from http://www.bulkapothecary.com/categories/soap-making-supplies.html. the prices and quality are fantastic. May I ask who you get your supplies from?
lovelygreens says
A variety of online and retail shops here in Britain – the USA has far more places to buy them though!
Simon says
Amazingly thorough article. I’ve always wanted to try soap making, but never found the time. Maybe it’s time I give it a try. Are there any oils or ingredients you’d recommend to prevent dry skin / help with Eczema?
lovelygreens says
Shea butter and Cocoa butter added as superfatting oils would be very beneficial!
Ataşehir Kurye says
What percentage of benzoin oil is recommended for anchoring the scent of essential oils? Are we mixing it with the EOs before adding to the soap batter? Please chime in anyone and thanks in advance.
lovelygreens says
I prefer using Orris Root Powder personally – if you do head down the route of Benzoin oil then yes, add it with the other essential oils and use just a small percentage – less than <1% of your entire recipe.
Chelsea says
Hi!! I am a soap making newbie and have found your posts so very helpful!! Where do you buy your lye?
lovelygreens says
Through an online retailer. For the small scale soap maker, I’d recommend you check out reputable sellers on Ebay or google a cosmetic supplier in your area. They’ll most likely have it on offer too.
Ammu says
Hi Tanya,
You have a lovely website and a wealth of information on soap making..thank you for taking the time to share your passion! I’ve only just recently ventured into soap making myself and I have been really enjoying it.
Like you, I too would like to keep my soaps as natural as possible, by sticking to herbs and roots for colour and essential oils for fragrance, but I was wondering about the benefits of using cold-pressed oils vs refined oils in soap making. I have actually been searching online for more information but I’ve come up with information that goes both ways, so I thought I’d ask you–what are your thoughts on it? I’m inclined to use cold-pressed oils in my soaps as well as that’s what I use in my food and I feel that there must be some effect of the chemicals used in refining on the end product, even if the oils are converted to soap at the end. Am I wrong? Would love to hear what you think. Thanks!
Ammu
lovelygreens says
I lean towards the idea that cold-pressed oils should be used in skincare products and home cuisine that don’t require heat to make. You see, when you make a batch of soap the oils can reach such high temperatures both before you mix the oils into the lye and then afterwards when they’re in the mould that many of the benefits of cold-pressed oil are lost. An exception would be in adding them into your batch at the very end as a ‘Superfatting oil’ and then not insulating the soap when it’s moulded. These steps could help keep the integrity of the oils more intact.
Sureiya says
Hello. Do you have a source for buying Palm oil that is certified sustainable?
lovelygreens says
I do but the source is UK based. Are you in the UK?
Meg says
Hi Tanya. Do you use the same amount of orris root powder as you’ve mentioned for the other fixers: 1tsp/800g? Thanks 🙂
lovelygreens says
That’s right!
Kathie says
I am thinking of giving soap making a go and wonder if you have ever tried using Emu Oil in your process? When going through radiation treatment, emu oil was wonderful for my “burned” skin and I thought it might work well in a soap. What are your thoughts?
lovelygreens says
It’s not something I’ve used and honestly, I don’t plan on using it because it’s animal fat – most people prefer their skincare to be cruelty-free. Though I’ll not deny any help it provided to your irritated skin, you’ll probably find that plant based oils like shea butter will be just as good or better 🙂
diosdado velasco says
what is soap ingredient to remove the irritation from the skin ?
diosdado velasco says
what is soap ingredient to remove the irritation from new soap …
lovelygreens says
There isn’t such a thing…you have to cure the soap for about a month before the PH is safe enough to use on your skin.
ming lou says
I use cooking oil and KOH to cook detergent. It is easier than looking around for safe detergent for garden veg irrigation. If you use hard water for washing, you can add 15 – 45 % mono potassium phosphate as hard water softener (also a PH buffer). To make it a shampoo just add a bit more olive oil to tip over a bit the PH. I never put anything unnecessary into my detergent, not even natural fragrance or colour, because whatever I add in will finally get into my garden soil, get into my veg then get into my stomach. I like washing cloths by stamping in a basin, it is quicker and cleaner and not hurting the fabric. Also I recommend using sea water for cooking seasoning instead of salt, you need all elements in the ocean (what is the proportion? The element proportion in your body are nearly the same as they are in the environment as scientist found) but not only sodium. Make your own drinking water by breaking lava rock and sediment rock and soak them in collected rain water. When your urine stinks, your blood PH is no good, when your body fluid PH is good, your urine will not smelly. Keeping your mouth fresh and odourless by using tooth pick to scrape your teeth, never use tooth paste (it wear out your teeth surface layer and unbalance the microbes that make your mouth stink). Natural and healthy teeth are ivory coloured but not white. Never use mouth rinsing water which will cause your mouth smelly worse only, bacteria would not make your mouth stink, but unbalanced bacteria make your mouth stink. I use 2 natural gas fermenter as septic tank which is a closed system never leak out into environment, when one is filling the other is maturing. Gas for cooking, the matured sediment for fertiliser in garden. The important thing is never let any unhealthy and unnatural stuff gets into your septic system in the first place. As a general principle, get rid of all your household chemical products. Air deodorant, disinfectant, bleach, hair dye, insecticide, etc. they are all unnecessary waste of natural resources and harmful pollutants to a home and the environment. The so called modern life style makes us sick, makes environment sick, the rat race of making money and getting rich is fundamentally contradictory to sustainability. Use as little as possible natural resources but contribute as much as possible effective information that is my understanding of a good Earth villager. That is the only way to reach future. Green life is good life. It is a real civilised life. Want to hear other’s opinions.
topkapı kurye says
thanks for the interesting and informative article. I'm considering soap-making as a future project. I look forward to reading the rest of the series
Honey Grove says
Tanya,
I love your passion for making your own products and wiliness to teach it to others. You are a woman after my own heart!
Maria Nekh says
I have been searching for tips about making natural soap, I must say that this is a very very clear explanation of all the ingredients and their "functions" in the soap.
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Anonymous says
The round soaps with the swirls that are in the photo are lovely. May I ask where you got the mold? Thanks in advance.
Tanya from Lovely Greens says
I bought them a few years ago online but can't remember the UK retailer's name.. Sorry!
Christine Higgins-Reid says
If soaping with oils that have a short shelf life, will ROE/GE help? What percentage is used? if the oil has a shelf life of say 3 months, how much more shelf life will it increase?
Christine Higgins-Reid says
What percentage of benzoin oil is recommended for anchoring the scent of essential oils? Are we mixing it with the EOs before adding to the soap batter? Please chime in anyone and thanks in advance.
Amanda Simon says
Also use soap which has natural ingredients like tea tree oil.For more info visit http://www.defensesoap.com/active-ingredients.html
Blue Aristocrat says
Hey Tanya,
I was searching for some homepage soap recipes today when I came across ( download stardoll cheats).
Awesome stuff!
Actually, I just launched a guide that teaches people how to make luxury soaps at home. I usually charge $X, but I’d be more than happy to send it over to you on the house. All I’d ask is that you’d consider mentioning it on your blog or writing a review.
Let me know how that sounds.
Cheers,
Blue Aristocrat
Christine Higgins-Reid says
Where do I find a link to your guide?
D says
Hi!
I'd just like to add that Voyageur Soap and Candle is another online soap supply company in Canada. They have an excellent selection 😀
Pauline says
Dear Tanya,
Thank you very much for such clear information. I like it that for each ingredient you have explained Why we use it and the alternatives.
My son has a very very sensitive skin and the other day I was checking in the shops to see if I could find a soap for his skin. The lady in the shop told me that she too has a sensitive skin and she uses soap that does not have bubbles because it is for sensitive skin.
Now, I have made soap before (5 years ago), my eldest son picked making soap (the cold method) as his science project. I remember we read somewhere that it was the oils that gave the bubbles. So as the lady was talking I decided at the back on my mind that I will just make soap for him.
I needed a place to do reviews before proceeding with the actual making of the soap. Your blog has just provided that, thank you.
Tanya from Lovely Greens says
Hi Pauline 🙂 The problem with the 'bubbles' probably has more to do with using SLS (sodium laurel/laureth sulfate) in soaps rather than bubbles produced by natural soap. If you steer clear of products with SLS/SLES then I think your son should be fine. These artificial ingredients are added to increase lather and bubbles but many people are sensitive to them.
Good luck with making your own soap and please drop by again if you have any questions 🙂
quarteracrelifestyle says
You have some great soap making info on here for us beginners, thank you for sharing! You say here that one must be prepared for dried botanicals to go black and I have experienced this already….the ones you show here though are like so many I do see though – they do have petals on them. I see them on Ebay and really would love to be able to do the same. Is there a secret to successful using of them ?
Tanya from Lovely Greens says
The secret to using botanicals like lavender, rose petals, chamomile, and other flowers is to sprinkle them on top rather than incorporate them into your soap. On top, they will brown a little where they touch the soap but the untouched parts will generally remain colourful.
Evie Dawson says
I love creating skin care products at home… My anti fungal soap making is incomplete without all natural ingredients like essential oils ,they have beneficial qualities.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
You're welcome 🙂
Anonymous says
Thank you for posting the Canadian site. I have been looking for one.
Christina L says
Tonya, thanks so much for all this advice and help. Do you have any advice on how to get tea scents to come out of soaps?
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Tea scents? I'm not sure that I understand your question.
Anonymous says
Can anyone help…I have tried beats for a red/pink color it looked lovely but my soap did not come out colored is thre a time or temperature problem?
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Unfortunately the lovely red colour from beets does not stay red in soap for long. It turns a kind of yellowy-brown colour over time so I'd recommend sticking to some of the other natural colours available. I have a list you can look at here:
http://lovelygreens-shop.com/natural-soap-colours-colors/
Anonymous says
Thanks for the interesting and informative article. I'm considering soap-making as a future project. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Anonymous says
Thanks so much for posting this!
I've been looking to eliminate harsh chemicals from my personal care products for a while and I was just wondering if this same process would produce something that would work as a shampoo as well as soap. I'm certainly going to try it anyways, but if I can clean my hair with the result- bonus!
Tanya Walton says
Hi Tanya, at long last I have found some time to sit down at the computer and catch up with the blogs I usually love to read on a regular basis. You hedgerow jelly looked lovely and is definitely a recipe to note for next year. I was really sorry to hear about Miracel. xx
Exciting to see you extracting your first batch of honey, how did you enjoy it? Hopefully I will be doing this next year!! Did you get your hive that was being aggressive sorted out??
It looks like you have had bountiful harvests from your allotment his year!!
Your latest show photos were great, I think it's great how these things are still so well attended on your little island, I wish my village would learn a thing or two from you, community spirit is seriously lacking in my neck of the woods these days!!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
So good to hear from you Tanya! Things are humming along on the Isle of Man and hopefully you'll have some events to go to yourself around Christmas time? Have you thought about organising a community seed swap or the like? Hope all is well on your allotment 🙂
SUAN CHEN says
Finally! Soap Making guidelines from a reliable source. Thanks so much.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Very welcome 🙂
serendipity says
A very informative post. I look forward to the next ones!
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
I look forward to sharing them 🙂
Moj sapun... says
Such a grate post, I really enjoy reading it! I am really glad that you will continue publishing additional ones related to soapmaking. Best Regards, Gordana
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
You're very welcome Gordana 🙂 Drop in next week for part two – Equipment. The posts after that will be on 3. Basic Recipes and Formulating Your Own
4. The Soap Making Process: Make, Mould, and Cure
Dani says
Thanks Tanya.
The recipe I have takes over an hour of stirring to get to trace. Although I love making my own soap, knowing that my batch is going to take 1.5 – 2 hours is sometimes daunting…
I use a combination of coconut, olive (pomace) and canola oil.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
I'll go over mixing the lye and oils together in the fourth post in this series but I'll let you in on a teaser…mixing with a spoon is not the the quickest or efficient way to reach trace 🙂
Dani says
Tanya – I've tried with two different hand whisks, an electric mixer and a stick blender. Nada! All that happens is the electric motors start smelling as thouogh they are gping to burn out…
Sunnybrook Farm says
Tanya's soap is wonderful, it really smelled good and I used it and guess what, it lathers up nicely and cleans your hands, it was a luxury for me!
I had trouble getting lye a while back because the meth labs bought it up as apparently it is used to make the illegal drug. They used to make lye from wood ashes but I have never tried that though I have buckets of them in the winter.
Tanya @ Lovely Greens says
Thanks so much Sunnybrook – am pleased you liked the Gardener's Hand Soap 🙂
Sodium Hydroxide can be purchased online if you have trouble locating it in your area. Creating your own from wood ashes isn't really recommended since you can't accurately gauge the strength of the liquid (which btw is Potassium Hydroxide rather than Sodium Hydroxide). Going down this route could lead to some pretty harsh soap!
ming lou says
I learned a lot from your site. It is great feeling now I can play my liquid soap making. I use cooking oil and KOH to cook detergent. It is easier than looking around for safe detergent for garden veg irrigation (you have no control what they put in). If you use hard water for washing, you can add mono potassium phosphate as a PH buffer (similar use and amount as borax, used here as a substitute of borax). Add a little bit of milk seems help to emulsify the paste especially when you use some olive oil. To make it a shampoo just adds a bit more milk. There is nothing can be wasted in the game of soap making. The worst scenario is you made the paste water hating wax (I did it by adding way too much mono potassium phosphate); but even that can be rescued by putting a couple of table spoon of KOH IN 1 kg of soft water and heat it up then add the wax bit by bit into the solution and mix them up. Add a bit of (1 %) milk seems help it emulsify. Fine tuning the paste (by adding the wax bit by bit) until the PH reaches 8 to 8.5. Done. Good as new. The separated water solution I keep it as fertiliser for garden). I never put anything unnecessary into my detergent. I like washing cloths by stamping in a basin, it is quicker (15 minutes) and cleaner and not hurting the fabric. Also I recommend using sea water for cooking seasoning instead of salt, you need all elements in the ocean (what is the proportion? The element proportion in your body are nearly the same as they are in the environment as scientist found. We are not only made of star dust but also the proportion of the star dust) but not only sodium (don’t call it table salt, call it poison). Make your own drinking water by breaking lava rock and sediment rock and soak them in collected rain water. The main source of minerals you take in is by drinking water but not by food. When your urine stinks, your blood PH is no good, when your body fluid PH is good, your urine will not smelly. Keeping your mouth fresh and odourless by using tooth pick to scrape your teeth, never use tooth paste (it wear out your teeth surface layer and unbalance the microbes that make your mouth stink). Natural and healthy teeth are ivory coloured but not white. Teeth grow layer by layer from outside just like clam grow its shell or pearl). Leave it natural (and do not drink “drinks”), your teeth can heal small damages by itself just like a clam will do to its shells. Never use mouth rinsing water which will cause your mouth smell worse only, bacteria would not make your mouth stink, but unbalanced bacteria make your mouth stink. Naturally secreted oil on your skin and hair are the first line of defence, if just dust and sweat, rinse it with rain water it will be shine and smooth. What ruin your skin and hair is those tap water, shampoo and conditioners. I use 2 natural gas fermenter (imported poly gas fermenter tank for $ 500 each) as septic tank which is a closed system never leak out into environment, when one is filling the other is maturing. Gas for cooking, the matured sediment and liquid for fertiliser in garden. The important thing is never let any unhealthy and unnatural stuff gets into your septic system in the first place. As a general principle, get rid of all your household chemical products. Air deodorant, disinfectant, bleach, hair dye, insecticide, etc. they are all unnecessary waste of natural resources and harmful pollutants to a home and the environment. The so called modern life style makes us sick, makes environment sick, the rat race of making money and getting rich is fundamentally contradictory to sustainability. Use as little as possible natural resources but contribute as much as possible effective information that is my understanding of a good Earth villager. That is the only way to reach future. Green life is good life. It is a real civilised life. Want to hear other’s opinions.
Regards
Jackluny
Palmanne says
Great Information, yes ; I will give it all a try, and yes; I agree totally about your thoughts and comments on a greener, healthier, and more sustainable environment ( village, suburb or community)…
Shawn Michelle says
Wow- Your efforts are truly impressive. I’m going to print your post and hang it above my desktop for future reference. A good number of individuals strive to be that connected to the environment, nature and natural elements. How on earth did you discover so many environmentally friendly habits? I applaud you 100%, fantastic job! I need to find a collection bin for rainwater! CIAO
SMIT says
@lovely greens
thanks for such an informative article. however , i have some queries regarding soap sweating how can we prevent it . can essential oils or ingridents such as honey or shea butter cures sweating in soap. can the chemicals such as sodium benzoate, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide helps to cure this issue. please, reply as early as possible.
thanks
SMIT
lovelygreens says
Hi SMIT, sweating in soap happens mainly because of humidity. If you’re making soap in a hot and humid climate then it’s bound to happen and there’s really not much you can do to fix your current soaps. You could try re-batching them? As for future batches, think about investing in a dehumidifier for your soaping area.
Anonymous says
great advice, i might try it. well described and thorough, and in easy does it kind of way
Andrea Neil says
I am having a ball making my own soap and other spa products using www-dot-MakeYourSpa-dot-info …. I’m making all sorts of things for friends! It’s great for learning how to make luxurious spa products at home immediately and it’s easy 🙂 I save a lot of money not going to the spa and the products are exactly the same, if not better. I have used my friends and family to try out the products I’ve made and they have been absolutely delighted! I’m thoroughly enjoying working my way through the recipes and then adjusting them to my own design. I really wish I had started this years ago.