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How to make your own soap will guide you through some of the different ingredients used in making soap as well as how to create your own recipe. If you have never made soap before, you will want to check out how to make lye soap for basic information on the process.
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Soap Making Tips
- Different oils provide provide different characteristics to the soap.
- Every oil has a different saponification index.
- Calculate the amount of lye needed using an online lye calculator.
- Additives can be used to color, scent and add other properties to the soap.
- Some oils may be hard to find.
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Introduction
- Making your own soap can be a lot of fun and a great craft. While there are quite a few recipes available on the Internet, at some point you may want to experiment with your own recipes. This page will guide you through some of the different ingredients used in making soap as well as how to create your own recipe. If you have never made soap before, you will want to check out how to make lye soap for basic information on the process.
Step 1: Choose Your Oils
- Choosing an oil, or oils, will depend on the desired qualities you want in your soap. Each oil contains a different combination of fatty acids that will contribute different properties to your soap. Which one you choose depends on what type of soap you are making.
- While you can use any of the oils listed to make your own recipe, you cannot switch out oils in a recipe already written. Every oil has a different saponification index.Treehugger: Easy Homemade Soap (December 31, 2005) Saponification is the process of combining a base fat with lye to produce soap and glycerin.Coconut Coast Handmade Soap Company: Glossary for the Modern Soap Maker, S
- The saponification index measures how much lye is required to turn that oil into soap.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap Recipe Different amounts of lye are needed depending on the saponification index of the oils used to make the soap.
- Low iodine index numbers means the oil will create a harder bar; higher numbers means it will create a softer bar.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- Superfatted oils are added to soap and remain unsaponified within the soap. They contribute to the moisturizing properties of the soap.Coconut Coast Handmade Soap Company: Glossary for the Modern Soap Maker, S This is also referred to as a "discount" in percentage form.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap Recipe
Almond Oil (Sweet)
- Sweet almond oil is a great moisturizer and skin conditioner that absorbs well and is good for sensitive skin.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Sweet Almond Oil for Soap Making
- Produces a low, stable lather.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Useful as a superfatting oil; add 1 tablespoon per pound of soap at light trace.
- Add 1 ounce per pound of fat at trace and not more than 10% of soap recipe.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Iodine index number: 93-106.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .136TLC Soaps & Sundries.com: Sap Value & Oil Properties Chart.
Apricot Kernel Oil
- Apricot kernel oil is a good moisturizer and skin conditioner that is high in vitamins and minerals.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Apricot Kernel Oil
- Good for sensitive, dry and mature skin and helps relieves eczema itch.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Apricot Kernel Oil
- Produces a stable lather.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Apricot Kernel Oil
- Useful as a superfatting oil; add about 1-2 ounces per pound of fat at trace.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Add to the base oils or just before you add essential oils and additives.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Apricot Kernel Oil
- Iodine index number: 92-108.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .135.TLC Soaps & Sundries.com: Sap Value & Oil Properties Chart
Avocado Oil
- Avocado oil contains vitamins A, D, and E and helps healing, conditioning and moisturizing.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Good as a superfatting oil; use approximately 1 tablespoon per 3 pounds of oil.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Avocado Oil Soap Making
- Helps heal flaky skin, psoriasis and eczema and is used to treat sun and climate damaged skin.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Avocado Oil
- Has anti-bacterial and anti-wrinkle properties.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Avocado Oil
- Good in baby soaps and for sensitive skin.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Use not more than 30% of soap recipe.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Iodine index number: 82-90.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .133.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Avocado Oil Soap Making
Canola Oil
- Canola oil is also known as rapeseed oil and is an economical choice for soap making.
- Produces a low, creamy, moisturizing latherAbout.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Good substitute for a portion of olive oil.
- Slows down the trace rate.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Should be no more than 50% of base oils.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Less saturated, so it may be slow to saponify and should be combined with more saturated oils.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Iodine index number: 105-120.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .132.TLC Soaps & Sundries.com: Sap Value & Oil Properties Chart
Castor Oil
- Castor oil is a moisturizer and humectant, which means it attracts moisture to your skin.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Use only detoxified castor oil.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Castor Oil
- Produces a rich, conditioning, fluffy, stable lather.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- Useful as a superfatting oil when added at trace.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Should be no more than 30% of your base oil; anything above 10 to 15% will make a soft bar.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Combine with lye at a lower temperature to avoid a quick trace.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Castor Oil for Soap Making
- Iodine index number: 82-90.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .128.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Castor Oil for Soap Making
Coconut Oil
- Coconut oil is one of the primary oils used in soap making because it is moisturizing and easily absorbed in the skin.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Coconut Oil
- Creates a hard, white bar with a fluffy lather.
- Using more than 30% as your base can be drying.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Most coconut oil melts at 76°F; some hydrogenated coconut oil melts at 92°F.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- It is a saturated fat.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Iodine index number: less than 10.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .183.Soap-Making-Resource.com:: Coconut Oil for Soap Making
Grapeseed Oil
- Grapeseed oil is a lightweight oil that is good for moisturizing.
- Mild astringent qualities make it good for acne and other skin complaints.Summer Bee Meadow: Properties of Oils Used in Soapmaking
- Used in soaps as a superfatting oil. Add 1 ounce per pound at trace.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Unless your soap has a low superfat percentage, you will need to treat it with rosemary oleoresin extract.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Iodine index number: 125-142.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .133.TLC Soaps & Sundries.com: Sap Value & Oil Properties Chart
Jojoba Oil
- Jojoba Oil is actually a liquid wax that is a good moisturizer, conditioner and humectant.
- Refined jojoba oil is clear with no scent; unrefined has a distinct odor and gold color.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Jojoba Oil for Soap Making
- Rich in vitamin E with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Jojoba Oil
- Because its chemical composition is similar to sebum, it is good for skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne and sensitive skin.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2 Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Helps unclog pores.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Can be used as 5 to 10% of your base oil.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2
- Useful as a superfatting oil; use 1 to 2 ounces per pound at trace.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Accelerates tracing.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Iodine index number: 80-85.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: 066.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Jojoba Oil for Soap Making
Kukui Nut Oil
- Kukui nut oil is native to Hawaii and very moisturizing with large amounts of vitamins A, C, and E.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Kukui Nut Oil for Soap Making
- Soothing on irritated skins, burns and sunburns; helps relieve acne, psoriasis, eczema and rosacea.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Kukui Nut Oil
- High in linoleic acid.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Use up to 20% as your base oil.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Creates a nice, creamy, stable lather.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2
- Useful as a superfatting oil; add 2 tablespoons per 5 pounds of soap at trace.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Iodine index number: 155-175.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .135.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Kukui Nut Oil for Soap Making
Lard
- Lard comes from pig fat and is very inexpensive. It does not clog pores and is moisturizing and conditioning.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Lard Soap Making
- Produces a hard, white bar with lots of lather.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2
- Combine with vegetable oils for best results.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Can be up to 70% of the base oil, but is better at 30 to 40%.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2
- Cold process laundry soap is usually 100% with no superfat.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2
- Iodine index number: 43-45.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .141.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Lard Soap Making
Olive Oil
- Olive oil soap is a popular and classic ingredient in soaps. Castille soap uses 100% olive oil; Marseille soap has at least 72% olive oil.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2
- Acts as a humectant and believed to help with skin cell regeneration.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Olive Oil
- Makes a mild soap that helps prevent moisture loss on your skin.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Produces a hard, white bar that takes longer to cure.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2
- Creates a thin but conditioning and stable lather.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Olive Oil
- Lower grades are better; don't use extra virgin olive oil.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2 Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Iodine index number: 79-95.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .135.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Olive Oil Soap Making Tutorial
Palm Oil
- Palm oil, or vegetable tallow, is one of the top oils used for making soap.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2
- Makes a hard bar with stable lather that cleans well.
- Speeds up the saponification process.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Palm Oil
- Better than other vegetable oils.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Use as about 20 to 30% of your base oil.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Iodine index number: 45-57.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .142.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Palm Oil Soap Making
Palm Kernel Oil
- Palm kernel oil comes from the same plant as palm oil but is closer in properties to coconut oil.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2
- Makes a hard white bar that lathers well.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Use it as up to 35% of your base oil.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 2
- Speeds up the saponification process.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Palm Kernel Oil
- Iodine index number: 37.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .178.TLC Soaps & Sundries.com: Sap Value & Oil Properties Chart
Safflower Oil
- Safflower Oil is mild and moisturizing when used in soaps.
- Has a short shelf life.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 3
- Unsaturated, so it should be combined with more saturated oils such as palm or coconut.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Use it as no more than 5 to 20% of your base oil.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 3
- Iodine index number: 86-119.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .136.TLC Soaps & Sundries.com: Sap Value & Oil Properties Chart
Shea Butter
- Shea Butter is rich in vitamins that absorbs easily in the skin. Shea oil is fractionated shea butter.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 3
- Helpful for damaged, dry and mature skin and on rashes, itches, burns and eczema.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Shea Butter
- Promotes skin regeneration.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Shea Butter
- Iodine index number: 55-71.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- Excellent superfatting agent; use 1 2/3 tablespoons per 5 pounds at trace.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Use it in base up to 20% of oils.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Iodine index number: 54-71TLC Soaps & Sundries.com: Sap Value & Oil Properties Chart
- SAP value: .128.TLC Soaps & Sundries.com: Sap Value & Oil Properties Chart
Shortening or Soybean Oil
- Soybean oil, when hydrogenated, usually becomes vegetable shortening, which may also be a blend of soybean and cottonseed oils.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 3
- Produces a stable lather.
- Makes a hard white bar when used alone.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties Better when combined with other oils such as olive and coconut.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 3
- Use no more than 50% of your total oilsCole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Iodine index number: 124-132.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .136.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Soybean Oil for Soap Making
Sunflower Oil
- Sunflower oil is inexpensive alternative to olive oil.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Use as a base oil up to 20%; using more than 25% will make your soap take longer to trace and harden.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Less saturated, so it should be combined with more saturated oils.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Works synergistically with olive and palm oils to produce a nice, rich, creamy lather.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 3
- Add rosemary oleoresin extract to help extend shelf life.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 3
- Iodine index number: 119-138.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .134.TLC Soaps & Sundries.com: Sap Value & Oil Properties Chart
Tallow
- Tallow is fat from animals, usually cows.Coconut Coast Handmade Soap Company: Glossary for the Modern Soap Maker, T
- Makes hard white bar with stable lather.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 3
- Should be no more than 40% of recipe.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 3
- Iodine index number: 43-45.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .143.Soap-Making-Resource.com: Tallow Soap Making
Wheat Germ Oil
- Wheat Germ oil is high in vitamin E and is known for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Wheat Germ Oil
- Produces stable lather.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Wheat Germ Oil
- Good for smoothing rough skin and soothing skin problems.Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Add after hard oils have melted.Soap-Making-Essentials.com: Wheat Germ Oil
- Should be no more than 15% of recipe.About.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 3
- Iodine index number: 125-135.Miller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- SAP value: .131.TLC Soaps & Sundries.com: Sap Value & Oil Properties Chart
Other Oils
- Here is a list of other oils you can use as part of your base oil:
- BabassuSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Babassu
- BeeswaxCole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Borage OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Borage Oil
- Calendula OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Calendula Oil
- Camellia OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Camellia Oil
- Cocoa ButterSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Cocoa Butter
- Corn OilAbout.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Cottonseed oilAbout.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Emu oilAbout.com: Qualities of Soap Making Oils, Page 1
- Walnut OilSummer Bee Meadow: Properties of Oils Used in Soapmaking
- Sesame OilMiller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- Evening Primrose OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Evening Primrose Oil
- Flax (Linseed) OilMiller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- Hazelnut OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Hazelnut Oil
- Hemp Seed OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Hemp Seed Oil
- LanolinSummer Bee Meadow: Properties of Oils Used in Soapmaking
- Macadamia Nut OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Macadamia Nut Oil
- Mango ButterSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Mango Butter
- Mango OilMiller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- Monoi de Tahiti or Monoi Oil Cole Farms: Soapmaking Oils Properties
- Neem OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Neem Oil
- Rice Bran OilMiller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- Red Palm OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Red Palm Oil
- Peach Kernel OilMiller's Homemade Soap Pages: Design Your Own Soap - Choosing Your Oils
- Peanut OilSoap-Making-Resource.com: Peanut Oil for Soap Making
- Plum Kernel OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Plum Kernel Oil
- Pomegranate OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Pomegranate Oil
- Pumpkin Seed OilSoap-Making-Essentials.com: Pumpkin Seed Oil
Step 2: Calculate the Amount of Lye Needed
- Part of the fun of making your own soap is to make a soap tailor-made for you. Of course, designing your own soap recipe require a little calculation. As explained earlier, each oil has a different saponification index and requires a different amount of lye to make soap. While this might have required doing some math in the past, there are a number of online lye calculators that will do the job for you.
- Here are some of the better Online Lye and Soap Calculators:
- SoapCalc: Soap Calculator
- Rainbowmeadow: Soap Calculator
- Brambleberry: Lye Calculator
- Pine Meadows Soapmaking Supplies: Lye Calculator
- Summer Bee Meadow Soap Recipe Calculator
- Suds & Scents: Lye Calculator
- Maple Springs: Lye Calculator
- Majestic Mountain Sage: Lye Calculator
- Snowdrift Farm: Soap Calculator
- Zenda's Homemade Soap and Beauty Recipes: Soap Recipes
Step 3: Choose Your Additives
- Here are just a few of the possible additives. All ingredients are listed per pound of oil and should be added at trace, unless stated otherwise.
Other Ingredients
- 1 ounce of essential oil (individual or blend).The Ponte Vedra Soap Shoppe: Soap Making Instructions for Cold Process Soapmaking
- 2 teaspoons of pigment.The Ponte Vedra Soap Shoppe: Soap Making Instructions for Cold Process Soapmaking
- 1/4 ounce unsweetened baking chocolateSoapnuts: Cold Process Soap Recipes Page Three
- 2 ounces white chocolateSoapnuts: Cold Process Soap Recipes Page Three
- 3 tablespoons peanut butterSoapnuts: Cold Process Soap Recipes Page Three
Herbs and Spices
- 2 tablespoons basilCrafter's Touch: Natural Soap Making Additives
- 2 tablespoons dried calendula petalsRainbow Meadows: Castilian Summer Soap
- 2 tablespoons chamomileCrafter's Touch: Natural Soap Making Additives
- 1 tablespoon cinnamonCrafter's Touch: Natural Soap Making Additives
- 2 tablespoons clovesCrafter's Touch: Natural Soap Making Additives
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powderSoapnuts: Cold Process Soap Recipes Page Three
- 2 tablespoons eucalyptusCrafter's Touch: Natural Soap Making Additives
- 1 tablespoon crushed lavender blossomsSabrina's Soapmaker's Resources: Diary: October 12, 1998
- 2 tablespoons lemongrassCrafter's Touch: Natural Soap Making Additives
- 2 tablespoons finely ground rosemaryCrafter's Touch: Natural Soap Making Additives
Additive Tips
- Do not use food coloring, it is unstable and not suitable for soap.Down-to-Earth: How to Make Cold Pressed Soap (July 26, 2007)
- Carrot oil, Vitamin E oil and grapefruit seed oil are natural preservatives that can help prevent rancidity and spoilage.
- To keep your additives suspended, add them to your soap just before you pour it into the mold.Crafter's Touch: Natural Soap Making Additives
- Do not use fabric or candle dyes, paints or melted crayons in your soaps.Cranberry Lane: Soap Making - Adding Your Favourite Ingredients to Your Soap
- Expert Village: Soap Additives (Time: 2:07)
Where to Find Supplies
- If you are looking for some of the less common oils used in soap making, you will want to check out some of the following online shops:
- Ye Olde Soap Shoppe: Soap Making Supplies
- Snow Drift Farm: Soapmaking Supplies
- Bramble Berry: Soap Making Supplies
- Herbal Accents: Soapmaking Supplies
- Wellington Fragrance: Wholesale Fragrance and Essential Oils
Where to Find Lye
- One problem you may find when trying to make soap is finding lye. Lye is 100 percent sodium hydroxide and used in many drain openers.Cole Farms: Safely Working with Lye However, drain openers are usually a mixture of sodium hydroxide and other chemicals and cannot be used in soap making.Miller's Homemade Soap: Where to Find Ingredients You can also purchase it online at any of the following vendors:
- The Lye Guy: Buy Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
- Camden-Grey Essential Oils: "Lye" Search
- AAA Chemical: Food Grade Sodium Hydroxide / Lye
- Texas Natural Supply: Sodium Hydroxide - Caustic Soda - Lye
- Bitter Creek Candle Supply: Lye Beads 2lb Can
- Snowdrift Farm: Lye
- The Original Soap Dish: Sodium Hydroxide
- Biodiesel Barn: Sodium Hydroxide
- Lehman's: Sodium Hydroxide
Conclusion
- Making your own soap is a great craft that you can do in your free time. While it can be fun to experiment with your own recipes, you may also want to check out How to Make Goats Milk Soap and How to Make Coconut Soap for some additional ideas.
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