Who doesn't love delicious-smelling, homemade soap? But maybe you're intimidated by the use of lye. No worries! Making soap without lye is not only possible but also a fun and safe way to create beautiful soap. In this blog, you'll learn all about making soap without lye and why you might or might not want to use lye. We'll also give you some options to get started yourself. Read on to discover more about:

• What lye in soap is
• Whether lye is bad for you
• How to work safely with lye
• Various ways to make soap without lye
• Answers to frequently asked questions about soap without lye

What is lye in soap?

Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is an essential ingredient in traditional soap. It causes a chemical reaction with fats and oils, leading to saponification, which is the creation of soap. So, without lye, no soap, you might think. This is true. However, there are ways to make soap without working directly with lye yourself, such as using a pre-saponified soap base.

Is lye bad for you?

Lye is a corrosive substance that can cause skin irritations and be harmful if inhaled. Therefore, it's important to always take safety precautions when working with lye, such as wearing protective clothing, gloves, and goggles. But when used correctly and the saponification process is complete, no lye is left in the final soap.

How to work safely with lye

If you do decide to work with lye, it's important to follow some safety guidelines:

1. Protection: Always wear gloves, safety goggles, and long sleeves.
2. Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling harmful fumes.
3. Add lye to water: Always add lye to water, never the other way around, to prevent dangerous reactions.
4. Stir slowly: Stir slowly to avoid splashing.

DIY soap making without lye: Our 3 options

Would you rather avoid working with lye? No problem! There are various ways to create beautiful, fragrant, and natural soaps without the risks associated with lye. Here are three simple and safe options you can try.

Option 1: Melt-and-pour soap

Melt-and-pour soap is one of the easiest and most accessible methods for making your own soap. This method is perfect for beginners and for making soap with kids because it doesn't involve lye and can be started right away.

Supplies:

• Melt-and-pour soap base
• Silicone soap moulds
• Essential oils
• Colourants
• Heatproof bowl
• Stirring sticks

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Melting: Cut the soap base into small chunks and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the soap base in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval to prevent lumps. Make sure the soap is completely melted before moving to the next step. Be careful not to overheat and burn the soap.
2. Colours and fragrances: Add your desired colourants and essential oils to the melted soap base. Stir the mixture well so that the colours and scents are evenly distributed. You can combine different colours and scents to create unique soaps.
3. Pouring: Carefully pour the mixture into the silicone soap moulds. Fill each mould to the brim, ensuring no air bubbles are left trapped.
4. Cooling: Allow the soap to cool and harden completely. This process usually takes a few hours. To speed up the cooling process, you can place the moulds in the refrigerator.
5. Removing from moulds: Carefully remove the soaps from the moulds. Your soaps are now ready to use, and you can enjoy using your homemade soap!

Option 2: Use soap scraps

Do you have any leftover pieces of soap? Please don’t throw them away! This method allows you to reuse and transform them into new soaps. It's a great way to recycle scraps and reduce waste.

Supplies:

• Leftover soap pieces
• Grater or knife
• Pot
• Water
• Silicone soap moulds
• Optional: essential oils and colourants

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Grating: Grate or cut the soap scraps into small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the faster they will melt.
2. Melting: Place the grated soap pieces in a pot and add a little water. Melt the soap over low heat, stirring regularly to prevent the soap from burning. This may take some time, depending on the amount and type of soap you are using.
3. Colouring and scenting: Optionally, add some colourants and essential oils to the melted soap mixture. Stir well so that the colours and scents are evenly distributed.
4. Pouring: Pour the soap mixture into silicone soap moulds. Make sure the moulds are evenly filled.
5. Cooling: Let the soap cool and harden completely. This usually takes a few hours.
6. Removing from moulds: Carefully remove the soaps from the moulds. Your new soap is now ready to use!

Option 3: Lye-free soap with natural ingredients

To make real soap, lye is necessary at some point in the process. That said, if you are looking for a natural, lye-free alternative, consider making a beeswax and coconut oil balm or lotion. These have moisturising properties and can be used for skin care.

Supplies:

• 50 grams of beeswax
• 100 grams of coconut oil
• Essential oils of your choice
• Optional: colourants
• Double boiler
• Silicone soap moulds or small jars

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Melting: Melt the beeswax and coconut oil in a double boiler. Stir frequently to ensure the fats melt evenly. This process may take some time, so be patient.
2. Colours and fragrances: Add your desired colourants and essential oils to the melted mixture. Stir well to ensure the colours and scents are evenly distributed.
3. Pouring: Carefully pour the mixture into silicone soap moulds or small jars. Fill each mould to the brim and make sure no air bubbles are trapped.
4. Cooling: Allow the mixture to cool and harden completely. This can take several hours, depending on the size of the moulds.
5. Removing from moulds: Remove the balm from the moulds if you used silicone moulds, or leave it in the jars if you used those. Enjoy your completely natural skin balm!

Note: This product will not foam or lather like traditional soap but can be used to moisturise the skin and provide a protective barrier. If you want to make real homemade soap, you will ultimately need lye for the saponification process.

Whether you choose the easy melt-and-pour method, recycle soap scraps, or make natural skin balm with beeswax, there are plenty of ways to make your own soap without lye. Each method offers its own unique benefits and creative possibilities. You can create beautiful, handmade soaps perfect for personal use or as gifts by experimenting with different ingredients and techniques.

Frequently asked questions about soap without lye

Making soap without lye often raises many questions, especially if you're new to crafting your own soap. Here, we answer the most common questions people have about soap without lye. Read on to discover more!

Why is there lye in soap?

Lye is essential for the saponification process, in which oils and fats are converted into soap. Without lye, this chemical reaction wouldn't occur, and you wouldn't have soap.

How did people make soap in the past?

In the past, soap was made by boiling animal fats with lye, which was derived from wood ash. This process could take days and required a lot of patience and precision.

Can you make soap without lye?

Yes, you can make soap without directly using lye by choosing a melt-and-pour soap base or by using natural ingredients like beeswax and vegetable fats.

Is natural soap without lye better for the skin?

Natural soap can be gentler on the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin types. Using natural ingredients also allows you to better control what is in your soap. However, it is impossible to make real soap without the use of lye. But no worries, after the chemical reaction has taken place, the lye is completely dissolved. So, no matter what soap you have, no lye will be left in it.

What are the benefits of melt-and-pour soap?

Melt-and-pour soap is easy to use, safe, and offers endless possibilities for creativity. It's perfect for beginners and children because it doesn't require the use of lye.

Making soap without lye is a fantastic way to be creative without the risks of working with lye. With the methods and tips in this blog, you can easily and safely make your own soap that not only looks beautiful but also smells lovely. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started and discover the magic of homemade soap!