Make Soap
Cold-process with lye, or melt-and-pour.
Your measurements
Total oils
800 g
Lye (NaOH)
111 g
Water
221 g
Fragrance
24 g
Batch total
1156 g
Temperatures
Oils to
100°F
38°C
Lye water to
100°F
38°C
Mix at
100°F
38°C
Step-by-step recipe
- 1
Weigh your oils: Olive Oil 500 g, Coconut Oil 200 g, Shea Butter 100 g.
- 2
Heat solid oils/butters gently until melted, then combine with liquid oils. Target 100°F.
- 3
In a separate well-ventilated area, weigh 221 g of distilled water in a heat-safe container.
- 4
Slowly add 111 g of lye (NaOH) to the water — NEVER water to lye. Stir until clear. It will heat to ~200°F; let cool to 100°F.
- 5
When both lye water and oils are around 100°F, pour the lye water into the oils and blend to trace.
- 6
At light trace, add 24 g of fragrance or essential oil and stir in.
- 7
Pour into your mold, insulate if needed, and let set 24–48 hours before unmolding.
- 8
Cure for 4–6 weeks before use so the bars harden and the lye fully saponifies.
Always add lye to water, never water to lye. Wear gloves and goggles. Work in a ventilated area — lye fumes are dangerous. Keep vinegar nearby to neutralize spills.