Roll up your sleeves and let’s make some soap
Soapmaking is a great hobby for all levels of experience. Its a skill that grows with you. It can be fairly simple and utilitarian or complex and artistic.
With the world becoming more commercialized, you might be surprised to learn how many of the products you buy contain ingredients that are potentially hazardous to the environment and your health. Using quality ingredients, you can make soap that is safe for you and your family and is great for the environment.
During hard times, soap is one of the most important resources to obtain. And unfortunately, soapmaking is largely a lost skill that most people once had. Not only will having soap keep your skin clean, but it’ll also keep your family healthy! We want to teach you how to do it in a safe and effective way!
New to making soap?
This article will give you a fantastic overview on the whole soapmaking process.
Whether you’re tired of chemicals in commercially-made soaps, looking to make natural soap as gifts (or as a side hustle), or simply looking to create something handmade and useful, soapmaking is a timeless skill you won’t regret learning.
Start here for soapmaking basics
Get caught up on the basics of homemade soap.
An Introduction To Melt and Pour Soapmaking Techniques
Are you new to soapmaking? Check out our intro to melt and pour soapmaking techniques such as swirling, layering, embedding, and stamping.
A Comparison: Hot Process Soap vs Cold Process
If you’re new to soapmaking, here’s an in-depth look at the ‘ins and outs’ of two made-from-scratch methods: hot process soap vs cold process.
17 Essential Soapmaking Hacks and Tips for Beginners
Here’s an essential list of 17 soapmaking hacks and tips to help you with your first few batches of homemade soap.
Soapmaking Supplies for Beginners: The Essential List
If you’re new to soap making and don’t know where to start, we’ve created an essential soap making supplies for beginners list. Check it out! swirling, layering, embedding, and stamping.
Let’s talk about lye (sodium hydroxide)
If you’re planning to make cold process or hot process soap, you’ll need to use lye. Lye can be dangerous if not properly handled. Here’s what you need to know.
Is Sodium Hydroxide Safe To Use in Soap and Cosmetics?
If NaOH (aka lye) is a caustic chemical, is sodium hydroxide safe to use in soap and cosmetics? Here’s a closer look at the role sodium hydroxide plays in soapmaking and cosmetics.
What’s the Difference Between Sodium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide for Soapmaking?
Same, same, but different. If you’re looking to make your own soap, here’s the difference between sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.
Where To Buy Sodium Hydroxide for Soapmaking
Looking to make your own handmade soap from scratch? You’ll need some lye. Here’s where to buy sodium hydroxide for soapmaking.
How To Make Lye for Soap the Old-Fashioned Way
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make lye for soap the old-fashioned way with ashes, water, and a wooden barrel, we’ve got you covered. Check out our step-by-step guide.
The Shelf Life Of Sodium Hydroxide Pellets (AKA Lye)
If you have a batch of NaOH at home, you might be wondering about the shelf life of sodium hydroxide pellets. Here’s what you need to know about storing lye.
Soap recipes
Ready to dive in? Roll up your sleeves and let’s get started.
Basic Hot Process Soap Recipe (With Moisturizing Properties)
Here’s a basic hot process soap recipe with oodles of glycerin. Use your slow cooker to whip up a batch of this luxurious homemade soap.
DIY Kitchen Hand Soap Recipe: 3 Fresh Variations
Kitchen work can be hard on your hands. Here’s a moisturizing kitchen hand soap recipe you can customize three ways to make bar soap that cuts through grease and removes odors.
DIY Olive Oil Nabulsi Soap Recipe
Nabulsi soap is a natural olive oil-based soap from the West Banks. If you’re interested in making your own soap at home, we’ve got a Nabulsi soap recipe you’ll love.
How To Make Liquid Antibacterial Soap With Natural Ingredients
Looking for a natural, yet effective liquid soap? Gather a few basic supplies. Here’s an easy DIY recipe: how to make liquid antibacterial soap with natural ingredients.
Troubleshooting and other tips
Soapmaking is a learning process, and you may end up with a bad batch or two. Arm yourself with the tips and tricks for making a better batch of soap next time.
8 Causes of Orange Spots in Homemade Soap and What To Do About It
If you’re scratching your head wondering how those dreaded orange spots in homemade soap got there, read on for a few helpful tips.
What’s the Difference Between Gelled vs Ungelled Soap?
Here’s everything you need to know about gelled vs ungelled soap. We’ll go over how to force or prevent gel phase, and what to do about partial gelling.
How To Store Bar Soap Long Term: Homemade Soap Storage Tips
Learn how to store bar soap long term with our homemade soap storage tips. This post will teach you how cold process, hot process, and melt & pour soaps should be stored.
Ready to dig deeper?
Here is our full list of articles for the beginner soapmaker to seasoned pro.
