Steps for making your own homemade soap

Dear reader,

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Materials

Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need:

• Base oils : Choose quality oils such as olive oil, coconut oil or shea butter
• Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) : Be careful when handling soda, wear neophene gloves, a mask and protective glasses
• Distilled water
• A container to put the soda, one for the water and a saucepan, all in stainless steel
• A stainless steel stirrer or glass rod
• A silicone spatula
• Essential oils : To perfume your soap (optional).
• Natural dyes : If you want to add color (optional).
• A soap mold
• A kitchen scale
• A thermometer
• A hand blender
• Safety glasses, neophene gloves, a protective mask , a long-sleeved blouse                                                                                           

Step 2: Prepare Safely ⚠️

Make sure you work in a well-ventilated space. Put on safety glasses, a neophene mask and gloves when handling the soda, as well as wear a long-sleeved blouse and closed-toe shoes. Safety first!

Step 3: Measure your Ingredients ⚖️

Use a kitchen scale to measure oils and lye accurately. Make sure you follow the proportions to get the right balance.

Step 4: Mix the Soda with Water 💧🧪

Slowly add the soda to distilled water while stirring. Be careful, this will cause an exothermic reaction and the solution will heat up. Let cool to room temperature.

Step 5: Heat the Oils 🔥

Melt the vegetable oils over low heat until they reach around 45°C. You can use oils like olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, etc. depending on your formula.

Step 6: Mix the Oils and Soda 🥄🧼

When the lye and oils are at the same temperature (around 45°C), pour the lye into the oils while stirring constantly with a hand blender until the mixture reaches "trace". The trace is a consistency similar to pudding, and it may take a few minutes.

Step 7: Add Essential Oils and Colors (optional) 🌸🌈

If you wish, add a few drops of essential oils and natural colors to personalize your soap.

Step 8: Pour into the Mold and Let Harden 🧼

Pour the mixture into a soap mold and smooth the surface. Cover it with a clean towel and let it harden for 24 to 48 hours.

After hardening, unmold the soap, cut it into pieces, and then let it dry for 4 to 6 weeks to harden completely.

Checking the pH of the soap (pH strips or pH meter) is recommended to check if it is not caustic. The pH must be between 8 and 12 for a cold saponification soap.

Congratulations, you have just created your very first handmade soap at home! Now you can enjoy the experience and experiment with new recipes and flavors. Don't forget to share your creations with friends and family - artisan soaps make wonderful handmade gifts.

If you have any questions or would like soap recipe ideas, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you succeed in your handmade soap making adventure!

Yours sincerely,

Natalie Marchand

QuinteSens soap factory