Soap Making Tutorial and Recipe for Absolute Beginners (you can do it!)

Summary

This video offers a simple, beginner-friendly guide to making handmade soap. The creator walks viewers through the entire process, from preparing the necessary ingredients and equipment, such as oils, caustic soda (lye), and molds, to the steps of mixing, blending, and pouring the soap batter into molds. Safety precautions are emphasized, especially when handling caustic soda, and the video includes tips on troubleshooting, cutting, and curing the soap. The tutorial promises an easy and enjoyable first-time experience for anyone looking to create their own beautiful, homemade soap.

Takeaways

• 😀 Making handmade soap can be easy and beginner-friendly with the right tools and a simple recipe.
• 😀 Essential equipment includes a soap mold, two containers, gloves, goggles, a scale, and a hand blender.
• 😀 Safety is crucial when working with caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), so wear gloves, goggles, and work in a well-ventilated area.
• 😀 The process involves mixing caustic soda with water to create a lye solution, which reacts with oils to create soap.
• 😀 Choose oils wisely for your recipe: a combination of solid fats (e.g., shea butter, coconut oil) and liquid oils (e.g., olive, sunflower oil).
• 😀 Always add caustic soda to water, not the other way around, to avoid dangerous reactions.
• 😀 After mixing oils and lye, use a hand blender to mix until the soap batter thickens to a trace stage (when it leaves a mark on the surface).
• 😀 Essential oils can be added at the trace stage for fragrance, but they are optional.
• 😀 Once the batter reaches the right consistency, pour it into the mold quickly before it thickens too much.
• 😀 Let the soap cool in a warm spot to help it saponify faster; you can cover it with a towel or use a cooler to maintain warmth.
• 😀 After the soap has set (usually within 12-18 hours), cut it into bars. The soap will be safe and ready to use after curing for several weeks.

Q & A

What is the purpose of this video?

The purpose of this video is to provide a simple and beginner-friendly soap-making recipe to help viewers confidently create their own handmade soap.

What kind of mold is recommended for beginners?

For beginners, a milk carton with the top cut off is used as a simple mold. Alternatively, a silicone mold that can hold 2 lb (1 liter or 1 quart) of liquid can also be used.

What safety precautions should be taken during soap making?

Safety precautions include wearing gloves to protect your skin from the raw soap batter, using goggles to protect your eyes from lye solution, and handling caustic soda carefully to avoid injury.

What is the role of lye in soap making?

Lye, or sodium hydroxide, is essential in soap making. It is mixed with water to create a caustic solution that, when combined with oils, initiates the chemical reaction called saponification, turning oils into soap.

How do you prepare the lye solution safely?

To prepare the lye solution safely, pour the caustic soda into the water, never the other way around. Stir gently in a well-ventilated area, and make sure to wear goggles for eye protection.

What oils are used in the soap recipe?

The recipe uses 70g of a hard fat (like shea butter), 140g of coconut oil, and 490g of liquid oils such as olive oil, sunflower oil, or a combination of vegetable oils.

What should the temperature of the oils and lye solution be before combining them?

Both the oils (after melting the solid fats) and the lye solution should be slightly warm, which helps create the ideal consistency for the soap batter.

What is the purpose of the hand blender in soap making?

The hand blender is used to mix the soap batter efficiently, speeding up the process of reaching the desired consistency, known as 'trace,' where the batter thickens slightly and leaves a trail on the surface.

How can you tell when the soap batter has reached 'trace'?

Trace is when the soap batter has thickened slightly, and when dribbled over the top, it leaves a visible trail. It should be thick enough to hold its shape without being fully solid.

How do you know when the soap is ready to be cut?

The soap is ready to be cut when it has cooled down and hardened enough to be firm. It should ideally be left for at least 12 to 18 hours to ensure it is firm enough to cut without damage.