how to make homemade soap

Homemade soap is a saponified product using a simple cold technique, so, unlike commercial products, by using handmade soap it is possible to enjoy a higher percentage of beneficial properties for skin care or textiles, according to the case.

There is a wide variety of soaps on the market, among which those of artisanal manufacture stand out. This means that the product does not involve any type of industrial process, since it is made manually. In this way, when using it, you can be sure that your skin will enjoy a higher concentration of nutrients, provided by each of the ingredients.

Making homemade soap is a simple task, but it also requires time and dedication. Likewise, you must document yourself about the combination of oils, seeds, herbs, essences, vitamins and other active ingredients to be used. Thus, you will not only be able to make a soap that removes superficial dirt from the skin, but also capable of removing impurities from the pores, moisturizing deeply, smoothing the complexion, treating acne problems, among other benefits.

On the other hand, it is necessary to know the measurements to make homemade soap, since if you calculate the ingredients lightly, you will not get the right texture or density and, therefore, the preparation will fail. 

In addition, you must specify if you want to make homemade soap without soda or add this chemical base to complete the saponification process in which the fat is converted into soap. 

Likewise, before starting the preparation, it is important to decide if you want homemade liquid soap or a paste presentation, because you will need different containers and molds, depending on the type of product. In this way, once these points have been defined, you will be able to explore the different recipes for handmade soaps.

3 simple recipes to prepare handmade soap

Preparing handmade soap does not have to be a messy task. On the contrary, it is a simple process in which only the ingredients to be used vary. Here are five easy recipes.

Activated carbon soap

This is a recipe for homemade soap with activated carbon, which is responsible for purifying the skin, removing dirt and sebum accumulated in the pores, causing skin infections, pimples and redness on the complexion.

For its preparation, you will have to mix 292 grams of demineralized water with 113.50 grams of caustic soda, leaving it to rest in the open air. Then, place a saucepan over low heat and add 200 grams of babassu oil and 150 grams of cocoa butter, until they are well integrated. 

In this way, you can continue adding the soda solution with water, and then mix these ingredients. Thus, you can add 10 grams of cosmetic-type activated carbon, along with 5 grams of essential tea tree oil and 500 grams of olive oil, which you must stir with the help of a spatula.

Finish by pouring the mixture into the selected molds and let it rest for a maximum of six days, to unmold and cut the soap blocks, which you will have to leave an average of forty days for the saponification to occur.

Glicerine soap

If you are aware of the purifying and moisturizing properties of glycerin on any type of skin, you will surely be interested in knowing how to make glycerin soap. To do this, you will only need 360 grams of organic soap base, which you must place in a container and put it in the microwave for a short time. 

Thus, it will melt and it will be easier to continue with the second step, which is to add a couple of drops of special dye for this type of soap. Then, pour five to six grams of some extract (for example, sunflower or laurel). Likewise, add a maximum of three drops of the aromatic essence of your choice.

In this way, it only remains to mix all the ingredients so that they are completely integrated and proceed to place the preparation in the molds. In addition, it is important to spray a generous amount of alcohol on them, which prevents the formation of bubbles that damage the appearance of the piece of soap. To finish, let the mixture cool until it solidifies and unmold the soap.

soap with used oil

The handmade type soap is not only made for cosmetic purposes, but also for cleaning the different textile garments. In this sense, learning how to make homemade soap with used oil is convenient. In addition, it is a good option to save money, by not having to buy detergent, while reducing water pollution, since it is not necessary to pour used oil down the drain.

With regard to the preparation of used oil soap, only 285 grams of water should be combined with 122 grams of caustic soda. While said solution rests, you can strain the 800 grams of used oil, to eliminate any type of impurity present in it. 

Then, check the temperature of both ingredients, since you will need them to have reached 60°C to be integrated. In this way, it only remains to mix well with the help of a machine, or manually with a spatula, to then pour the preparation into the molds, wait until it dries, cut the pieces and let it saponify for 40 days.

potassium soap

In addition to these three recipes to prepare a good homemade natural soap, we have also wanted to add this potassium soap, especially aimed at caring for plants. In this way, you will avoid the use of chemical products, which in the long term end up deteriorating its leaves or contaminating the fruits.

Let’s start by specifying the proportions to make homemade potassium soap, being necessary to have at hand a liter of water, a liter of olive oil, four kilos of wood and a large potato. Also, a pH meter and a pot are required.

You must burn the wood to obtain the ashes, which you must place in a pot next to the potato and the indicated amount of water. Mix the three ingredients and let them rest for three days. If, after the set time, the potato floats on the preparation, it means that we can continue. Otherwise, you just need to add more ashes and leave for a couple more days. This is due to the condensation of concentrated potassium carbonate.

To continue, pour in the olive oil and mix until you get a sticky consistency. Thus, you can cook the mixture, so that the density increases and, then, measure the pH, which should not exceed the nine mark. To finish, pack the product in a clean container with an airtight lid. Thus, the soap will be ready to be used on your plants.

Learning how to make natural soap or how to make homemade soap without oil is easier than you think. Of course, if you have the right tools, such as a saponification calculator, which we can download to our smartphone, pH measurement bands, sold at any pharmacy, essences, plant extracts, kitchen utensils, cooking oil or ore, among others.