DIY SOAP GUIDE: Safety instructions for making your own artisan soap - for beginners
Making your own handmade soap is super easy and super fun! But there are a few things you should keep in mind: Safety first.
I already know the safety and all the tips, get to the soap recipes >>
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COLD PIPE SOAP
Genuine cold-pressed soap is made from lye (sodium hydroxide), water and oils. Lye is highly corrosive, both in pure powder form and mixed with water. It also develops significant heat in contact with water and during the saponification process.
Lye is a natural chemical that is not toxic, but inhaling the fumes can be irritating to the respiratory tract, make sure you have good ventilation and do not stand leaning over the beaker while mixing the lye. It is advisable to wear a face mask.
It can be scary to work with harsh chemicals before you're familiar with them, but don't worry! We've got plenty of clever tricks to make the process both fun and easy!
In addition to the ingredients in your
desired soap recipe you will need:
✔ Heavy duty gloves
✔ Safety glasses
✔ Hand blender
✔ Accurate scale
✔ Spray bottle with 1 part vinegar or lemon + 1 part water
This is what you need to consider:
NEVER make cold-mix soap with or near children. Be careful where you place lye and lye mixtures, so that no one can accidentally access them. Do not leave soap making or washing up unattended.
TIP: Acidic substances like vinegar & lemon neutralize lye. Have a spray bottle with something acidic mixed with water on hand and spray on any spills or splashes.
◉ Always use safety glasses, long sleeves, heavy gloves and possibly a face mask when handling lye and lye solutions.
◉ Pour NEVER add water to the lye powder , ALWAYS pour the lye into the water.
◉ Use durable containers when making soap - stainless steel, ceramic, laboratory plastic or thick heat-resistant glass.
◉ DO NOT use aluminum containers , tools or molds when making soap, the lye will react with the aluminum. If you are unsure whether your container is aluminum or stainless steel, test with a magnet - Aluminum is NOT magnetic, If the magnet sticks, you are safe to go!
◉ During the first few hours after the soap is poured into its mold, the saponification process is most active, which generates heat. Do not use too hot lye or too hot oils when making soap, as the heat can become too high during the saponification process and the soap can “boil over” in the mold. Do not place the mold on any sensitive surface while the process is in progress. A good temperature for oils and lye is 40 - 50°C.
Once the initial saponification process is over, the soap is ready to be cut, the soap is not dangerous to handle. However, it can be a bit harsh on your hands, so wear nylon or dishwashing gloves when demoulding and cutting your soap.