what is lye soap and how is it made

During the colonial period, the locals made their own house hold supplies including lye soap. In those days, Folks gather lye from the harvest of white ashes as a result of burning hard woods. They poured water over the ashes to withdraw its lye content. The water poured over the ashes was the one used to make soap. They combine the lye solution with Lard (animal fat).

In this modern time, the production of lye is from a chemical composition of soda and lime through a process called electrolysis of brine. Lye is already present in stores for purchase. It usually comes in powder form. Lye is a basic ingredient in soap making. Lye has Hydroxide that binds with fat to make soap. 

Characteristics of lye (sodium hydroxide):

Lye is an extremely strong base known for its corrosive properties. The other term for lye is sodium hydroxide. Lye cause burns when in direct contact with skin and it is highly reactive with other materials. So with these characteristics, it has to be handled with care. It must be stored in a cool, dry place and away from children’s reach.

On the process, you will have to be extra careful as lye may burn your skin. You may want to use goggles and gloves. 

You will need:

The basic ingredients: lye (powder form), fat or oil, water.

Prepare a molder to shape the soap, a stainless steel pot to melt your fats or oil, container to mix your lye solution and a weighing scale to have the right amount for your soap, thermometer to monitor temperature. Lastly, you will require all the patience you can get because making a perfect soap can’t be rushed. 

The basic steps to make your lye soap:

Follow your guide book in making soap. Use your weighing scale to measure the ingredients, and always remember that too much lye in the solution may not be fit to the skin and less of the lye may not produce a well-hardened soap. So it’s necessary to follow the right measurements. 

Pour your powder lye into the container of water (not water into lye as it may cause an explosion). It should be done slowly, bit by bit as you continue mixing with a stirring rod.

Be careful at it may become exceedingly hot as a result of chemical reaction. Its temperature may go up to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool the mixture of water and lye to a range of 110 degrees.

Use the stainless steel pot to melt your choice of fats and oils over a low fire. Keep on stirring until all of the oil melts. Allow the oils to dwindle to a range of 110 degrees. Make sure that the mixture of lye and the melted fats or oils are at the same range of temperature (Take caution in equalizing the temperature).

Pour the mixture of lye to the melted fats or oils and stir in motion of eights. Stir until you produce a trace (you may use a stirring stick to speed up the process). Pour mixture into the mold and have it covered. Set it aside for curing (about 48 hours). 

Why choose lye soap over commercial soap?

Lye soap alone is beneficial for the skin. It has that natural glycerin, a natural moisturizer that soaks in the skin. Some commercially made soaps lose that glycerin. They add in various chemicals that remove the natural mildness of the soap. Lye soap is naturally mild and luxurious.