Comments on: How to Make Soap (With or Without Lye)

By: Jamie Larrison

Jamie Larrison — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 03:02:16 +0000

In reply to Leah. Soap recipes use very specific calculations in order to work a certain way so it's not quite as easy to sub ingredients. If you're not very familiar with soapmaking it's usually best to stick to a recipe you like until you're comfortable knowing how to change out ingredients. Shea butter is much thicker than goat milk and also more shelf stable so they wouldn't work the same here.

By: Leah

Leah — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 15:58:16 +0000

Hello, thank you for the article! Would I be able to replace the shea butter with goat milk in the lye soap recipe? Can I substitute some of the ingredients if I don’t have them and/or am not familiar with them (also referring to the lye soap recipe)? Thank you!

By: Jamie Larrison

Jamie Larrison — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 06:00:09 +0000

In reply to Jay. The recipe instructions should say sunflower oil (not jojoba) which is 100 grams.

By: Jay

Jay — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 19:20:14 +0000

In reply to Tosh. Your recipe calls for jojoba oil. How much of this oil is needed as it does not clarify..?

By: Katie Wells

Katie Wells — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:50:28 +0000

In reply to Tabba Crae. Exfoliants are best added when the mixture has cooled slightly and right before going into molds so there is less falling, but some is inevitable. As a general rule, soaps containing flowers and solids can keep for as long as the individual added ingredient can keep, as long as all are thoroughly dried first.

By: Tabba Crae

Tabba Crae — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:46:22 +0000

In reply to Katie Wells.

Hello Katie and thanks for your informative website!

Would you be so kind as to address some answers from previous posters, please?

Most importantly:

– How should exfoliants like coffee grinds, chi seeds and/or oats be addded to soaps so that they don’t all sink to the bottom of the bar?

– How long can soap containing flowers or other added solids be kept?

Many many many many MANY THANKS!!!

Best regards,
TC

By: Katie Wells

Katie Wells — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 23:04:44 +0000

In reply to Sue Clark. For soap making, it is recommended to get a scale and actually weigh to the gram for accuracy and not measure by volume.

By: Sue Clark

Sue Clark — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 19:30:41 +0000

Could you add the US measurements, not just grams to this? Thanks very much

By: Wanda cap

Wanda cap — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 04:38:33 +0000

In reply to Crystal. Hi there. You should DEFINITELY try Crafter's Choice. They have detergent free soap bases, a great variety, and also they use in the making pal oil from sustainable resources, also have palm free base. Good luck!

By: Crystal

Crystal — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 13:51:54 +0000

Do you recommend a particular brand of soap base for beginners? I am not ready to mess with lye because of small children in the home. I would love to make healthier soap though.

By: Louise

Louise — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 09:52:05 +0000

Thanks for the recipes. In the basic soap recipe, it refers to jojoba oil in the directions but this isn’t listed in the ingredients. Does this not form part of the base? If not and is just for extra properties, how much jojoba oil can be added?

By: Patricia Beal

Patricia Beal — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 04:49:18 +0000

In reply to Anna. That's awesome and congrats.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 20:16:44 +0000

In reply to khushi. Hello Im wondering if there is a replacement for lye

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 19:50:50 +0000

For this basic recipe, how much Of the solids material would you add?

By: Deborah

Deborah — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 17:12:18 +0000

Ive made homemade soaps before but I noticed they are not very lathering. How do I get my soap to lather more?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 12:15:27 +0000

How would you use goats milk in this recipe, when using goat’s milk should it be raw or pasteurized?

By: Mariluz

Mariluz — Fri, 17 May 2019 16:17:41 +0000

i do not see the directions on how to make the soaps.

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 03:03:45 +0000

hi i found lots of fat in the freezer and what type has rubbed off, it is either chicken or beef but not sure.
Is there any way to use it 4 soap?
looking forward to some help thanks

By: Carson

Carson — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 10:02:51 +0000

I love making my own soap. It’s so relaxing, I think I started doing it after I read a blog post about it for the first time.

By: Jessie E Brooks

Jessie E Brooks — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 02:45:01 +0000

I would humbly suggest that you change the material of the container for mixing your lye. Glass etches and pits with repeated use in mixing lye, even if you can’t see the pits or the weakened areas. You find out when you’re left holding the handle and your kitchen floor or counter is covered in lye water.
Instead, use ANY plastic container with the recycling code of 2 or 5. These can withstand the heat and the chemical exposure of mixing lye. You can get these cheaply at a dollar store or just reuse those 1 kg containers of yogurt you can buy at your local grocery store (think plain yogurt).
I’ve been making my own soap for over 4 yrs now and my favorite soaping site is Soaping101.com, and its YouTube channel. If you start at the beginning of season 1, you might be put off by the low quality of her recordings, but stick to ’em! They get better and, regardless of the visual/audio quality, her info is first rate. No senseless banter, no political/sociological/environmental opinions offered. Just straight to the facts and soapy inspiration.
Thanks for your VERY good post!