ADVERTISEMENT
it's essential to work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective gloves and goggles to avoid any contact with the lye, as it is a caustic substance.
1. Prepare the Lye Solution: In a heatproof container, carefully add 1 cup of lye to 2 cups of distilled water. Always add lye to water, not the other way around, to prevent a dangerous reaction. Stir the mixture carefully until the lye dissolves completely. The solution will heat up as the lye dissolves. Set it aside to cool to room temperature (this may take 30-60 minutes).
2. Melt the Oils: In a separate pot, melt 1 cup of your choice of oil (olive oil or coconut oil) over low heat. Once melted, remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
3. Mix the Aloe Vera Gel: While the oils are cooling, extract fresh aloe vera gel from the leaves of the plant or use store-bought aloe vera gel. Blend it into a smooth consistency if needed. Add the aloe vera gel to the melted oils.
4. Combine Lye and Oils: Once both the lye solution and the oil mixture have cooled down to about the same temperature (ideally 100°F-110°F), slowly pour the lye solution into the oils and aloe vera mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon.
5. Blend Until Trace: Using a hand blender or stick blender, blend the mixture until it reaches a consistency called "trace." Trace occurs when the mixture thickens and leaves a trace when drizzled across the surface. This process may take a few minutes.
6. Add Essential Oils (Optional): At this point, if you'd like to add fragrance, stir in your essential oils. Lavender, tea tree, or chamomile are all excellent choices for their additional skin benefits.
7. Pour Into Molds: Once the soap mixture reaches trace, pour it into your soap mold. You can use silicone molds, or even repurpose a cardboard box lined with parchment paper as a mold. Smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Cure the Soap: Cover the soap with a clean cloth and allow it to sit undisturbed for 24-48 hours, depending on the size of the soap bar. Once it has hardened, remove it from the mold and cut it into bars.
9. Cure the Soap (Continued): Place the soap bars in a cool, dry place and let them cure for 3-4 weeks. This curing process allows the soap to harden and the lye to neutralize, making it safe to use.
Serving and Storage Tips:
ADVERTISEMENT
