Homemade Hard Soap
Hard Soap (Castile) – Only 3 Ingredients
Olive Oil, Water & Lye
Cured 1 Year (for hardness)
Just like Nanna would have made way back then!

Recreated from researching recipes found in old newspaper clippings, magazines, and handwritten recipes found tucked away in old recipe books.

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Most times I make and use the soaps myself. This little gift box of soaps is for a silent auction this weekend at an event I’ll be attending. I’ve also dabbled with other types of soaps. Soaps made from lye are not like the soaps bought in stores. Since these contain lye they have been curing for quite a while. The longer they cure the better they are when used! Have you ever bought soaps that seemed “wet” or “soft”? Those are very young soaps that still contain a lot of water and haven’t quite cured yet. Cured soaps will last longer and not “melt” in the shower. I’m not sure when I’ll make my next batch of soaps but as soon as summer is here watch out! (For safety reasons I make the soaps outside so that the lye fumes don’t accidentally overwhelm!) Who knows, maybe I’ll find a large kettle and start making soap out in the yard over a fire!

Caution: Remember to always handle lye with care and follow safety precautions.

Making soap with olive oil, water, and lye involves a process called cold process soap making. Here are the step-by-step directions:

Ingredients:

• 32 ounces (907 grams) of olive oil
• 4.5 ounces (128 grams) of lye (sodium hydroxide)
• 10.5 ounces (297 grams) of water

Equipment:

• Safety goggles and gloves
• Stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic pitcher for mixing lye solution
• Stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic spoon or spatula
• Digital kitchen scale
• Thermometer
• Soap mold (wood, silicone, or plastic)
• Stick blender (optional but highly recommended)
• Protective clothing (long sleeves, pants, closed-toe shoes)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Workspace:
   • Choose a well-ventilated area for soap making.
   • Cover your workspace with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to protect it from spills.
   • Ensure you have all necessary equipment and ingredients within reach.
2. Safety Precautions:
   • Put on safety goggles, gloves, and protective clothing to protect yourself from accidental splashes of lye.
   • Make sure there are no distractions and keep pets and children away from the workspace.
3. Measure Ingredients:
   • Weigh out the olive oil using a digital kitchen scale and pour it into a large heat-resistant mixing bowl.
   • Measure the water and pour it into a stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic pitcher.
   • Weigh out the lye separately, using caution as it is caustic.
4. Mixing Lye Solution:
   • Slowly add the lye to the water while stirring gently. NEVER add water to lye as it can cause a dangerous chemical reaction. Always add the lye to the water.
   • Stir until the lye is completely dissolved. The mixture will become hot and release fumes, so do this step in a well-ventilated area.
5. Cooling:
   • Allow the lye solution to cool down to around 100-110°F (38-43°C). This may take about 30-45 minutes.
6. Mixing Lye Solution with Olive Oil:
   • Once the lye solution has cooled, slowly pour it into the olive oil while stirring continuously.
   • If you’re using a stick blender, use it to blend the mixture until it reaches a light trace. This means the mixture will thicken slightly and leave a faint trail when you drizzle it across the surface.
   • If you’re not using a stick blender, stir the mixture vigorously by hand until it reaches trace. This may take longer.
7. Pouring into Mold:
   • Once the soap reaches trace, pour it into your soap mold.
   • Tap the mold gently on the countertop to release any air bubbles.
8. Curing:
   • Cover the soap mold with a lid or plastic wrap to insulate it.
   • Let the soap sit in the mold for 24-48 hours to allow it to harden.
9. Cutting and Curing:
   • After 24-48 hours, remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars using a knife or soap cutter.
   • Place the bars on a drying rack or parchment paper in a cool, dry place with good air circulation.
   • Allow the soap to cure for 4-6 weeks. This process allows excess water to evaporate, resulting in a harder, longer-lasting bar of soap.
10. Labeling and Storage:

• Once cured, label your soap with the date it was made and any additional information.
• Store the soap in a cool, dry place until ready to use.

Remember to always handle lye with care and follow safety precautions. With practice and attention to detail, you can create beautiful handmade soap using olive oil, water, and lye.

Caution: Remember to always handle lye with care and follow safety precautions.