Skillful Living

Homemade Soap

Introduction

Soap making is a time-honored tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation and it is still a popular hobby and a practical skill that many people enjoy today. With the right ingredients and techniques, making your own soap can be a fun and rewarding activity that can help you supplement your income on the homestead. Making soap at home is also a great way to have control over the ingredients used and create a personalized soap that is tailored to specific skin types and preferences.

There are various methods for making soap, including cold process and hot process, and a wide range of natural ingredients that can be used to add fragrance and moisturizing properties to the soap. On a homestead, there are many ingredients that can be used to make soap, including those found in the garden or from farm animals. In this post, we will explore the different methods for making soap, the ingredients that can be used on a homestead, and how to make soap that is both nourishing and gentle on the skin. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned soap maker, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to create your own homemade soap.

Traditional vs Current Methods

The methods provided for making soap, such as cold process and hot process, are the same methods used in traditional soap making. The difference lies in the modern equipment and ingredients that are commonly used in soap making today.

Traditionally, soap making was done using simple ingredients such as animal fat, lye, and water. The process involved boiling the fat, adding lye to make it saponify, and then allowing it to cool and harden into soap. The soap was then cut into bars and allowed to cure for several weeks before it could be used.

“Saponify” is a chemical reaction that occurs during soap making in which an acid (usually a fatty acid) reacts with an alkali (usually lye or sodium hydroxide) to form a salt (the soap) and glycerol (also known as glycerin). This process involves the breaking of ester bonds in the fats or oils, resulting in the formation of soap molecules. The term saponification is derived from the Latin word for soap, “sapo.”

The modern methods of soap making, such as cold process and hot process, still involve the use of lye and fats, but also include a wider range of oils, fragrances, and colorants. Additionally, modern soap makers use specialized tools such as digital scales, immersion blenders, and molds to create their soap.

Overall, the basic principles of soap making remain the same, but the ingredients and tools used have evolved over time to allow for greater creativity and customization in the soap making process.

Cold Process

Cold process soap is the most popular method of making soap from scratch. In this process, oils and fats are combined with an alkaline solution (lye) to create saponification, which results in the creation of soap.

To make soap, you’ll need a few basic ingredients including fats or oils, lye, and water. You can use a variety of fats and oils such as lard, tallow, shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil. Some of these ingredients can be found on the farm, such as lard and tallow from animals, and coconut oil from coconuts.

It is important to use accurate measurements and safety equipment when working with lye, because it is a caustic substance that can be dangerous if not handled properly.

The first step in making cold process soap is to melt the oils and fats together in a large pot. Once melted, the lye is mixed with distilled water in a separate container, and then the two mixtures are combined. The mixture is then stirred until it reaches a thick, pudding-like consistency, which is called “trace.” At this point, any additives, such as essential oils or natural colorants, can be added. The mixture is then poured into a mold and left to cure for several weeks to allow the saponification process to complete.

Cold process soap can be scented with essential oils, fragrance oils, herbs, or flowers. Some popular herbs for soap making include lavender, peppermint, and chamomile. To make your soap soft, gentle and nourishing for the skin, you can add ingredients such as honey, oatmeal, or goat milk. The amount of soap produced in each batch will depend on the size of the mold used.

Cold process soap can be a great way to supplement profits on a homestead, as it can be made with ingredients found on the farm or locally sourced. It is important to do proper research and follow safety guidelines when making cold process soap, as lye can be dangerous if not handled correctly.

Here are more detailed steps to follow from the information above:

Step 1: Gather your ingredients and equipment.

Step 2: Weigh out the fats and oils, and melt them in a pot over low heat.

Step 3: Weigh out the lye and water separately, making sure to use protective gear such as gloves and goggles.

Step 4: Slowly add the lye to the water, stirring constantly until it dissolves.

Step 5: Allow the lye mixture to cool to room temperature.

Step 6: Once the fats and oils have melted, add the cooled lye mixture to the pot and stir until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. This is called reaching “trace”.

Step 7: Add any scents or other additives at this point, and stir well.

Step 8: Prepare your soap molds by lining them with parchment paper or plastic wrap.

Step 9: Carefully pour the soap mixture into the prepared molds, making sure to distribute it evenly. If desired, add a few drops of essential oil or fragrance oil to the top of each soap mold for scent.

Step 10: Cover the molds with a sheet of plastic wrap and then with a towel or blanket to keep them warm. Let the soap cure for at least 24 hours, or until it has hardened and can be easily removed from the molds.

Step 11: Once the soap has hardened, remove it from the molds and use a sharp knife to cut it into bars of your desired size. Place the bars on a wire rack to cure for at least 4-6 weeks before using them. This curing time allows the soap to fully saponify and become hard and long-lasting.

Hot Process

Hot process soap making is another popular method of making soap from scratch. The main difference between hot process and cold process soap making is that heat is applied during the saponification process, which speeds up the chemical reaction.

To make hot process soap, similar ingredients are used as in cold process soap making, such as oils and fats, lye, and water. The oils and fats are melted and combined with lye and water, and then heated in a crockpot or other heat source until the mixture reaches the desired “gel” stage. This gel stage indicates that saponification is complete and the soap is ready to be poured into a mold.

Hot process soap has a more rustic appearance than cold process soap, and can be scented with essential oils or fragrance oils, as well as made to be gentle and nourishing for the skin by including ingredients such as shea butter, aloe vera, or colloidal oatmeal.

Hot process soap can also be made using ingredients found on a farm or locally sourced, such as lard or tallow from animals. The amount of soap produced in each batch will depend on the size of the mold used.

Hot process soap making can be a great way to supplement profits on a homestead, since it allows for the use of local ingredients and can be customized to meet specific skin care needs. It is important to follow safety guidelines and use proper equipment when making hot process soap, because heat is involved and the mixture can become very hot and potentially dangerous if not handled carefully.

Tools

Making soap requires a few essential tools to ensure that the soap-making process is safe and successful. Some of the essential tools for making soap include:

  1. Heat-resistant container: A heat-resistant container is essential for melting oils and lye. Stainless steel or enamel pots work well, but glass containers can also be used.
  2. Thermometer: A thermometer is needed to ensure that the lye and oils are at the correct temperature.
  3. Stick blender: A stick blender is used to emulsify the oils and lye solution.
  4. Scale: A scale is needed to measure the ingredients accurately.
  5. Gloves and goggles: Gloves and goggles are essential for protecting the skin and eyes from lye.
  6. Molds: Molds are used to shape the soap. They can be made of silicone, plastic, or even cardboard.
  7. Cutting tools: Once the soap has hardened, it needs to be cut into bars. A knife or a dedicated soap cutter can be used.

If you don’t have all of the essential tools, there are some substitutes that you can use. For example, a plastic or wooden spoon can be used instead of a stick blender. A candy thermometer can also be used if a soap thermometer is not available. Additionally, if molds are not available, an empty milk carton or yogurt container can be used as a substitute. However, it’s essential to note that using substitutes may affect the outcome of the soap and may require additional care or adjustments in the soap-making process.

Moisturizers

There are several ingredients that can be found on a homestead that can be added to soap to help moisturize and nourish the skin. Here are a few examples:

  1. Honey: Honey has natural antibacterial properties and can help soothe and moisturize dry or irritated skin. It can be added to soap at trace or used as a post-additive to the soap after it has been poured into the mold.
  2. Aloe vera: Aloe vera gel is commonly used in skincare products because of its ability to soothe and moisturize the skin. It can be added to soap at trace or used as a post-additive.
  3. Beeswax: Beeswax is a natural emollient and can help lock in moisture in the skin. It can be melted and added to soap at trace to provide additional moisturizing benefits.
  4. Shea butter: Shea butter is a popular ingredient in skincare products because of its ability to hydrate and soften the skin. It can be added to soap at trace or melted and added to the oils before mixing in the lye solution.
  5. Goat milk: Goat milk is a natural moisturizer and can help soothe and hydrate the skin. It can be added to soap at trace or used as a substitute for water in the lye solution.
  6. Colloidal oatmeal: Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground oats that have been boiled and then dried. It has natural soothing and moisturizing properties and can be added to soap at trace.

These ingredients can be used in both cold process and hot process soap making to help create a soap that is gentle and nourishing for the skin. However, it is important to research and test each ingredient before use to ensure proper usage and to prevent any allergic reactions.

*Post-additives refer to additional ingredients that are added after the soap has reached trace and has been poured into the mold. These additives can include fragrance oils, essential oils, colorants, exfoliants, and additional moisturizers.

The process of post-additive incorporation involves adding the desired amount of the chosen additive into the soap mixture and mixing it thoroughly. This is typically done by hand using a whisk or spatula. It’s important to ensure that the additive is fully incorporated into the soap mixture to avoid clumps or pockets of the additive in the finished soap.

The amount of post-additive used will depend on personal preference and the desired outcome. For example, essential oils can be added for their aromatherapy benefits or for their specific skin-nourishing properties, while exfoliants like ground coffee or oatmeal can be added for their exfoliating properties.

Once the post-additives have been thoroughly mixed in, the soap is poured into the mold and left to cure for several weeks. During the curing process, the soap hardens and the excess water evaporates, resulting in a harder and longer-lasting bar of soap.

Homemade soap can be used as a body soap, facial soap, hand soap, or for other household purposes such as cleaning. With practice, you can make high-quality soap that is gentle on the skin and a great addition to your homestead.

Recipes

Here are several soap-making recipes and methods that use ingredients that can be found on a homestead or made off-grid:

Cold Process Soap

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Melt the animal fat in a large pot over low heat.
  2. In a separate container, carefully mix the lye and water (the mixture will become very hot and caustic, so use gloves and goggles).
  3. Slowly add the lye mixture to the melted fat, stirring constantly.
  4. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens and reaches trace (when a spoonful of soap mixture drips back into the pot in a ribbon-like pattern).
  5. Add any herbs, essential oils, or other scents, and stir well.
  6. Pour the mixture into a soap mold and let it sit for 24-48 hours.
  7. Cut the soap into bars and let it cure for 4-6 weeks before using.

Substitution: Instead of buying animal fat, you can render fat from animals raised on the homestead. Simply collect the fat and heat it over low heat until it melts and separates from any solids. Strain the melted fat through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve to remove any impurities.

Hot Process Soap

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Melt the animal fat in a large pot over low heat.
  2. In a separate container, carefully mix the lye and water (the mixture will become very hot and caustic, so use gloves and goggles).
  3. Slowly add the lye mixture to the melted fat, stirring constantly.
  4. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens and reaches trace (when a spoonful of soap mixture drips back into the pot in a ribbon-like pattern).
  5. Add any herbs, essential oils, or other scents, and stir well.
  6. Spoon the mixture into a soap mold and let it sit for a few hours.
  7. Remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars.
  8. Let the bars cure for 4-6 weeks before using.

Substitution: Instead of cooking the soap on the stove, you can use a slow cooker or make a solar oven to heat the soap mixture. Simply follow the same instructions, but cook the soap in a slow cooker on low heat for several hours, or in a solar oven on a hot, sunny day.

Ash Soap

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Collect hardwood ash from a fire and sift out any large pieces or debris.
  2. Combine the ash and water in a large container and stir well.
  3. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 days, stirring occasionally.
  4. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve into a large pot.
  5. Add the animal fat to the pot and heat the mixture over low heat, stirring frequently, until the fat has melted and the mixture has thickened.
  6. Pour the mixture into a soap mold and let it sit for 24-48 hours.
  7. Cut

Basic Cold Process Soap with Milk and Honey

Ingredients:

Equipment:

Instructions:

  1. Weigh out the coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil, and shea butter into the pot and heat on low heat until melted.
  2. While the oils are melting, weigh out the milk into a heat-resistant container and put it in the fridge to cool. Make sure the milk is cold, but not frozen.
  3. Put on gloves and safety goggles. Weigh out the lye into a separate container.
  4. Slowly pour the lye into the milk, stirring constantly until it is completely dissolved. Be careful not to splash or inhale the fumes.
  5. Let the milk and lye mixture cool until it reaches around 90-100°F.
  6. Once the oils have melted and cooled to around 90-100°F, add the milk and lye mixture to the pot and mix with a stick blender until it reaches a light trace.
  7. Add the honey and essential oils or fragrance oils (if using) and mix well.
  8. Pour the mixture into the silicone mold and cover with a towel or blanket to insulate it.
  9. Let the soap sit for 24-48 hours until it hardens.
  10. Unmold the soap and cut it into bars. Let the bars cure for 4-6 weeks before using.

Fire Ash Soap

Fire ash soap is an excellent option for those living off the grid or homesteaders. The ash contains potassium hydroxide, which is the main ingredient in lye. Lye is a strong alkaline solution that is used in soap making. To make fire ash soap, you will need:

Ingredients:

Equipment:

Instructions:

  1. Collect the ash from your fire pit or wood stove. Ensure that you use clean ash with no debris, such as wood chips or dirt.
  2. Boil the water in a large pot.
  3. Add the ash to the boiling water and stir well.
  4. Reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for about 30 minutes.
  5. Allow the mixture to cool and then strain it through cheesecloth or a strainer.
  6. Melt the animal fat in another pot over low heat.
  7. Add the strained ash water to the melted animal fat and stir well.
  8. Cook the mixture on low heat for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  9. Pour the mixture into soap molds and let it cool and harden.
  10. Once hardened, remove the soap from the molds and let it cure for at least 2 weeks.

Note: Fire ash soap may be slightly abrasive due to the ash particles. It is recommended to use this soap on tougher areas of the skin, such as the feet or hands.

Honey Soap

Honey soap is a moisturizing soap that is great for dry or sensitive skin. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it draws moisture from the air and helps to keep the skin hydrated. To make honey soap, you will need:

Ingredients:

Equipment:

Instructions:

  1. Measure out the olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil into a large stainless steel pot.
  2. Heat the oils on low heat until they are fully melted.
  3. In a separate container, mix the water and lye together. Be careful when mixing, as the lye can be caustic. Allow the mixture to cool.
  4. Once the lye mixture has cooled, slowly pour it into the melted oils. Stir the mixture well.
  5. Add the honey to the mixture and stir well.
  6. Pour the mixture into soap molds and let it cool and harden.
  7. Once hardened, remove the soap from the molds and let it cure for at least 2 weeks.

Note: Honey soap may have a shorter shelf life due to the honey content. It is recommended to use this soap within 3 months.

All of these soap recipes can be made on the homestead or off-grid with minimal equipment and ingredients found on the farm or in nature. They can also be scented with essential oils or dried herbs, and can be sold to supplement profits on the homestead. Just remember to always wear protective gear, such as gloves and safety goggles, when working with lye.

Bonus: Amish Soap Making Recipes

Lard and Coconut Oil Soap

Instructions:

  1. In a stainless steel or heat-safe plastic container, mix the lye into the distilled water, stirring constantly until fully dissolved.
  2. In a separate container, melt the lard and coconut oil over low heat until fully melted.
  3. Once the lye mixture and the melted oils have cooled to around 100°F, slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils, stirring constantly.
  4. Using a stick blender or hand mixer, blend the mixture until it reaches trace (when the mixture thickens to a consistency similar to pudding).
  5. Pour the mixture into a soap mold, and let it sit undisturbed for 24-48 hours to allow it to set.
  6. After 24-48 hours, remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars.
  7. Allow the bars to cure for at least 4 weeks before using.

Honey Oatmeal Soap

Instructions:

  1. In a stainless steel or heat-safe plastic container, mix the lye into the distilled water, stirring constantly until fully dissolved.
  2. In a separate container, melt the coconut oil, palm oil, and shea butter over low heat until fully melted. Add the olive oil to the melted oils.
  3. Once the lye mixture and the melted oils have cooled to around 100°F, slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils, stirring constantly.
  4. Using a stick blender or hand mixer, blend the mixture until it reaches trace (when the mixture thickens to a consistency similar to pudding).
  5. Add the oats, honey, and fragrance oil to the mixture, and stir until fully combined.
  6. Pour the mixture into a soap mold, and let it sit undisturbed for 24-48 hours to allow it to set.
  7. After 24-48 hours, remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars.
  8. Allow the bars to cure for at least 4 weeks before using.

Homestead or Off-Grid Substitutions

Conclusion

Making soap at home can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience, and there are many benefits to creating your own personalized soap. By using natural ingredients that are readily available on a homestead, you can create a unique soap that is tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prefer the cold process or hot process method, or want to experiment with different ingredients and scents, the possibilities for making soap are endless. By following the guidelines and recipes provided in this post, you can create soap that is gentle on the skin and provides moisturizing benefits. Additionally, by selling your homemade soap, you can generate income and supplement profits on your homestead. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and start making soap today!

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