All posts by Steven Cole

Steven Cole - Author of Soap Formula Site. (Economics, MBA) - Developer of Soap Saponification Formula Software.  22 years experience in business.
General Soap Articles

Soap Oils SAP Saponification Values Factors

The SAP values below are set to 1% excess fat. To calculate how many ounces of lye are needed for the oil that you use take the ounces and multiply by the factor. Sodium Hydroxide is the lye you would use for bars of soap. For more excess fat you would decrease the lye a fraction. For every percent that you want to increase the excess fat just reduce the lye by 1%. For example to make a batch go from 1% excess fat to 2% you would multiply the lye by .99. Make sure you reduce the lye. Do not increase it. There are also values below for Potassium Hydroxide which is what is used to make liquid soap. (Note – most of the oil names below are clickable and will give you pricing on the different oils)

Disclaimer – double check your SAP values with other sources to make sure there are no mistakes.  To do this use google and type in the oil name and the word SAP.  We have tried to make sure all the numbers are accurate but can make no guarantees.  Quite often you will see sites with different numbers and the reason is that they are using a different excess fat percentage.  You mainly want to make sure that you do not use too much lye.

SAP Value Chart: A-H
Oil, Butter or Other Ingredient		 NaOH
(Sodium Hydroxide aka Lye)
(for hard bar soap)		 KOH
(Potassium Hydroxide)
(for liquid soap)
Almond Butter, Sweet .098 .139
Almond Oil, Sweet .137 .193
Aloe Vera Butter .176 .247
Aloe Vera Oil .135 .191
Apricot Kernel Butter .097 .136
Apricot Kernel Oil .134 .188
Arachis Oil .136 .191
Avocado Butter & Oil .132 .186
Banks Oil .132 .185
Baobab Oil .143 .202
Beeswax, White & Yellow .067 .095
Blackcurrant Fruit Oil .134 .188
Borage Seed Oil .134 .187
Brazil Nut Oil .176 .248
Butterfat, Cow .161 .226
Butterfat, Goat .167 .234
Camelina Oil .132 .186
Camellia Seed Oil .134 .189
Canola Oil .135 .189
Castor Seed Oil .127 .179
Cherry Kernel Oil .135 .190
Chicken Fat (Strained) .138 .194
Chinese Bean Oil .135 .189
Cocoa Butter .136 .192
Coconut Oil – All Grades except Virgin .180 .256
Cod Liver or Fish Oil .132 .185
Coffee Seed Oil .130 .182
Colza Oil .124 .174
Corn Oil .135 .190
Cottonseed Oil .137 .192
Earthnut Oil .136 .190
Emu Oil .135 .191
Evening Primrose .130 .184
Flaxseed Oil .135 .189
Goose Fat .136 .191
Grapeseed Oil .134 .188
Hazelnut Oil .135 .189
Hemp Seed Butter & Oil .134 .190
Herring / Fish Oil .136 .190
Illipe Butter .136 .192
Java Cotton Oil .137 .192
Jojoba Seed Oil, Clear .064 .090
Jojoba Seed Oil, Natural – All Grades .065 .091
Kapok Oil .137 .192
Karite Butter (Shea) .126 .178
Katchung Oil .136 .190
Kokum Butter .134 .188
Kukui Nut Oil .135 .191
Lanolin .074 .103
Lard .138 .193
Linseed Oil .135 .189
Loccu .134 .187
Macadamia Nut Oil .137 .193
Mango Butter .134 .189
Mango Oil .132 .186
Manketti Oil .148 .208
Margarine .136 .190
Marula Kernel Oil .135 .190
Meadowform Oil .119 .167
Mink Oil .140 .196
Monoi de Tahiti Oil .178 .252
Moringa Oil .136 .191
Mustard Seed Oil .124 .173
Neat’s (Neet’s) Foot .141 .197
Neem Oil .134 .188
Nutmeg Butter .117 .165
Olive Butter .088 .124
Olive Oil (All Grades) .133 .188
Palm Butter .155 .218
Palm Kernel Oil .156 .218
Palm Oil .139 .195
Palm, Stearic .141 .197
Papaya Oil .135 .190
Passionfruit Oil .129 .181
Peanut Oil .136 .190
Perilla Oil .136 .191
Pomace Olive Oil .133 .188
Poppy Seed Oil .136 .192
Pumpkin Seed Oil .134 .189
Rice Bran Oil .129 .181
Ricinus Oil or Caster Oil .128 .180
Rosehip Seed Oil .133 .187
Safflower Oil, High Linoleic .135 .190
Sal Butter .130 .183
Sardine (Fish) Oil .135 .189
Seabuckthorn Oil .116 .163
Sesame Seed Oil .135 .191
Shea Fruit Butter .126 .178
Shea Seed Oil .128 .181
Shortening (veg.) .136 .190
Soybean Oil – All Grades .134 .188
Sunflower Seed Oil .134 .189
Sweet Oil .134 .187
Tallow, Bear .139 .194
Tallow, Beef .140 .196
Tallow, Chinese Vegetable .134 .188
Tallow, Deer .139 .195
Tallow, Goat .139 .195
Tallow, Mutton .138 .193
Tallow, Sheep .138 .193
Teal / Teel / Til .133 .186
Tung Oil .137 .192
Turkey Red Castor Oil
Sulfated		 .127 .178
Virgin Coconut Cream Oil .178 .252
Walnut Oil .136 .192
Watermelon Seed Oil .135 .190
Wheatgerm Oil .135 .190
Yangu (Cape Chestnut) Oil .135 .190
General Soap Articles

How to Make Soap Without Using Lye (lye free soap)

Can you make soap without using lye?  This is a common question.  The answer is yes, you can make soap without “you” having to use lye.  This keeps the process completely safe.   This would be done either by rebatching soap chips or noodles or using a melt and pour soap base.  You can buy melt and pour soap base or glycerine soap base on the internet and then melt it down and pour it into soap molds.   For recipes you can use any of the standard cold process ones.  However, skip the oil and lye part and just add the fragrances, etc..   that the recipe calls for at the trace stage.  Your imagination is the only limitation.  Molds can be purchased at hobby stores or over the internet.

* keep in mind that in order to create the glycerine soap base or melt and pour noodles lye would have been used.

Once you have mastered melt and pour soaps you may want to learn about how to create Spa Products also.

Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

Expresso Oatmeal Cinnamon Cocoa Chocolate Soap Recipes Formulas

Thank you for stopping by to look at our free soap recipes. Of the free soap recipes on the internet ours are different in that they are all sized to 16 ounces making them easy to make in a standard blender using the method described in the articles to the right on this page.  The recipes or formulas below can be double or tripled etc.. and made using the standard cold process as well.  This page of recipes features an Apples & Cinnamon Oatmeal Bar that has a moderate lather and is an exfoliating soap. We also have a Coffee Expresso kitchen soap that is great for removing odors. Our Arizona Sunrise bar combines the gentleness of olive oil with the lather of coconut and palm oil.  It also has the wonderful scent of sandlewood and patchouli.We have many more below.   We hope you enjoy the soap formulas below. Continue reading Expresso Oatmeal Cinnamon Cocoa Chocolate Soap Recipes Formulas →

Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

Monoi Oil, Hempseed, Aloe Vera, Rosemary Sage Oil Blender Soap Recipes Formulas

The following soap recipes are free and include an Aloe Vera bar that lathers and is relatively hard, a modified Castille Olive oil soap that will be a softer bar with a mild lather, a rosemary sage bar, a wonderful Monoi Oil (tahitian) bar with shea butter (luxurious) and a nice lathering hempseed oil soap.  Any of the formulas on this page can be modified using our Soap-Calc spreadsheet program.  Also, you can modify the essential oils to get the fragrance you desire.  Things like oatmeal and pumice can be added at trace as well.  Always add fragrances and other additives at trace before pouring into molds.

If you prefer video soap making lessons you can Click Here. Also, if you like soap making then you may also want to consider making your own Spa Products as well.

Aloe Vera Blender Soap (Hard Bar with Lather)
4.5 ounces of Coconut Oil
2 ounces of Palm Oil
4.5 ounces Crisco or Vegetable Shortening
5 ounces Olive oil
2.3 ounces lye (sodium hydroxide)
6.5 oz. water
3 Vitamin E capsules
3 ounces of Aloe Vera Gel
1 Teaspoon Lavender Essential Oil

Modified Castile Mild Lather Soap
14 ounces Olive Oil
1 oz Coconut Oil
1 oz Palm Kernal Oil
2.2 Lye (sodium hydroxide)
6.5 ounces distilled or rain water
1/2 teaspoon essential oil of you choice.

Rosemary Sage Bar
5 ounces of Lard
3 ounces Crisco or Vegetable Shortening
5 ounces Coconut oil
2.5 ounces Olive oil
1 ounces Peanut oil
2.3 ounces lye (sodium hydroxide)
7 ounces rain or distilled water
.25 ounce dry sage and rosemary
1/2 teaspoon essential oil mix of sage, rosemary and lemongrass

Tahitian Monoi Oil Soap
10 ounces Monoi Oil
2 ounces Olive Oil
4 ounces Coconut Oil
1 ounce Shea Butter
2.6 oz lye
7 oz distilled or rain water

Sunflower Oil Lathering Soap
6 Ounces Coconut oil
2 Ounces Hempseed oil
2 Ounces Palm oil
6 Ounces Sunflower oil
7 Ounces Distilled or Rain Water
2.4 oz. of Lye (sodium hydroxide)

Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

Goats Milk Soap Recipes and Formulas – Free

The following recipes are free and include several goats milk soap recipes / formulas. All are designed to lather well and have the rich feel that only goats milk can give you.  All of the formulas on this page can be modified using our Soap-Calc spreadsheet program. Also, you can modify the essential oils to get the fragrance you desire. Things like oatmeal and ground apricots can be added at trace as well. Always add fragrances and other additives at trace before pouring into molds.

If you prefer video soap making lessons you can Click Here. Also, if you like soap making then you may also want to consider making your own Spa Products as well.

Goats Milk with Almond & Honey  Soap
8 ounces of non virgin olive oil
4 ounces of coconut oil for lather
4 oz. palm kernel oil for lather
2.3 ounces lye
2 ounces distilled water
5 ounces goat’s milk
1 ounce honey almond Essential Oil

Goats Milk Baby Soap
12 ounces olive oil
4 ounces avocado oil
2 oz distilled water
5  ounces of goats milk
2.2 ounces  Lye (sodium hydroxide)
.5 oz orange essential oil
.2 oz chamomile essential oil

Carribean Goats Milk Supreme Lather Bar
5 ounces coconut oil
5 ounces palm oil
6 ounces olive oil
2.3 ounces lye
8 ounces goats milk
1/2 ounce coconut essential oil
1 ounce warmed mango butter added at trace

Goats Milk & Honey – Medium Lather
6 ounces Crisco Type Shortening
4 ounces Olive Oil
2 ounces Canola Oil
4 ounces Coconut Oil for Lather
1 ounce Honey at trace
1 ounce Whipping cream
4 ounces Fresh Goat Milk
3 ounces water
2.3 ounces Lye
-Mix water, goats milk and cream and place in freezer until slushy. Add lye slowly. Pour into slightly warmed oils.

Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

Peach Cream Orange Carrot Oats Honey Apples Cinnamon Blender Soap Recipes Formula

On this page we have a variety of luxurious blender soap recipes.  These recipes can be doubled or tripled and made the standard cold process way.  The blender method just makes the job quicker.  You can alter the formulas by using our soap calc program. Also, we have a soap oils and soap fragrance store as well.

If you prefer video soap making lessons you can Click Here. Also, if you like soap making then you may also want to consider making your own Spa Products as well. These products can be made for resale of just for your own use.

Creamy Peaches Blender Soap
8 ounces Non Virgin Olive oil
4 ounces Palm oil
4 ounces Coconut oil
6 ounces Cold Goats Milk
2 ounces Cream
2.3 ounces sodium hydroxide (lye)
1 ounce peach essential oil

Sweet Orange Soap
8 ounces non virgin olive oil
2 ounces palm oil
6 ounces coconut oil
6.5 ounces water
2.3 ounces sodium hydroxide (lye)
1 oz sweet orange essential oil

Carrot and Oranges Soap
8 ounces olive oil
2 ounces palm oil
6 ounces coconut oil
6.5 ounces water
2.3 ounces sodium hydroxide (lye)
1 ounce sweet orange essential oil (at trace)
2 ounces carrot juice (at trace)

Honey and Oats Soap
5 ounces Coconut oil
3 ounces Palm oil
9 ounces Non Virgin Olive oil
2.3 ounces sodium hydroxide (lye)
6.4 ounces water
AT TRACE ADD and then blend for a few seconds
1 teaspoon almond oil
1/8 – 1/4 cup finely ground oatmeal (chop or blend this ahead of time)
1 teaspoon warm honey

Apples & Cinnamon Blender Bar
6 ounces palm oil
6 ounces olive oil
4 ounces of Crisco
2.1 oz lye
7 ounces water
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon oil
3/4 teaspoon apple essential oil

Blender Soapmaking

Free Blender Soap Recipes / Formulas (how to convert)

There are a large variety of blender soap recipes and formulas available on the internet.  We have quite a few free ones on this site.  If you find a recipe that you like but it is in size that is too large for a blender batch here is how to convert it. Continue reading Free Blender Soap Recipes / Formulas (how to convert) →

General Soap Articles

Troubleshooting Soap Making Problems Recipes Formulas Batches

SOAP MAKING PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS / TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR SOAP RECIPES AND BATCHES

PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION
Soap won’t trace or is tracing much too slow. Not enough lye, too much water, wrong temperatures, did not stir enough or too slow. A high percentage of unsaturated fats in the base oils can also cause a slow trace. Double check water, oil and lye measurements. If amounts and temperatures are found to be correct, continue stirring up to 3 hours or until the solution traces. If possible, switch over to a stick blender which will greatly speed up tracing. Keep in mind that you do not need to stir constantly for the full 3 hours. Stir 5 minutes and then wait 15 and repeat. After 3 hours stirring or 30 minutes blending, if it shows no signs of thickening, pour into molds regardless of trace and let sit for 24 hours. If the mixture still does not harden, discard it.
Mixture curdles while stirring Oil and/or lye poured into mixing bowl at too high temperature. Sporadic or slow stirring. Switch over to a stick blender which will smooth out mixture. After it has homogenized, pour into molds. You can also just continue stirring and pour the mixture into the molds and then check for irregularities in the soap bars. If there are irregularities discard the bars.  Blending is the best option as it will prevent lye pockets.
Mixture sets up too quickly in pan. Traces too quickly. Assuming the proper amount of lye was used then the Oil and Lye/water temperatures were probably too high or low. Or, the fats and oils are reacting to a synthetic fragrance or other additive. The percentage of saturated fats was excessive. Double check your lye calculations.  Pour the mix into the molds as quickly as possible. Smooth out with a spatula. Everything should be fine other than aesthetic problems.  This is assuming that the proper amount of lye was used.  When the bars are done you can do a ph test to make sure the soap is ok.
Mixture has a slightly grainy look. Oils and lye solution either too hot or too cold. Sporadic stirring process. Switch to a stick blender or continue stirring until trace and pour into molds. This should be an aesthetic problem only.
As soap cures and cools in the mold, a layer of oil rises to the top. Too much oil in formula or not enough lye. Incorrect measuring. Pour off the excess oil.  Reheat and blend the soap and then pour it back into molds.  If results are unsatisfactory you can rebatch the soap.
When cutting up soap after removing it from the mold or while cutting it there is a clear liquid present. Too much lye in formula. Insufficient stirring. You can try and cut up the soap with gloves on and wash away the excess lye however it would be safer to discard the bars and start again. You can rebatch but make sure to test the finished product for ph levels before using the soap.
Soft and Spongy Soap Insufficient lye or too much unsaturated fat in formula or too much water Try curing the bars for a couple weeks longer. If they remain soft discard them.  Olive oil formulas can sometimes be soft like this.
Hard and Brittle Soap Too much lye in the formula. Discard the Bars. Too much lye can irritate or burn skin.
Soap smells rotten or rancid. Too much fat or too little lye in recipe. Discard soap.  Rebatching rancid soap is not a good idea.
Air Bubbles in the bars of Soap. Stirred too long or whipped the mix while stirring Using a stick blender or regular blender can whip air into the mix.. It is not really a problem. Only aesthetic in some cases.
Pockets of lye in soap in powdered or liquid form Insufficient stirring or too much lye in the recipe. No solution other than discarding.  Consider using a stick blender to avoid under mixing. Also make sure to double check lye calculation.
Mottled or irregular looking soap with a freckled or speckled look. Uneven stirring or substantial changes in temperature during curing. Aesthetic problem only. Try using a stick blender.
Soap separates in the mold with a greasy layer of oil on top of a hard soap. Insufficient stirring and/or not enough lye.  Or mixture poured into molds too soon. Discard.  Or pour off oil and rebatch.  Just test final bars for ph to be safe.
Lots of white powder appearing on top of soap during curing process Hard water used and/or lye did not properly dissolve in water Discard batch to be safe.  You can try rebatching but make sure to test final bars for safe ph level.
Small amount of white powder on top of soap Reaction with air creating an excess buildup of sodium carbonate Aesthetic problem only.  You can scrape the tops of the bars to remove the powder.
Soap is Warped Problem in the curing and drying process.  Soap may have cooled to quickly. Not really a problem with the soap. Try shaving the bars smooth with a vegetable peeler or carve the bars into shapes or cut into shavings for rebatching.
Various cosmetic problems such as, cracks, warped soap, mottled look, unwanted colors, etc.. Assorted causes, temperature changes, bad molds, poor recipe. etc These bars should still be good as soap. Rebatching is always a good option for these bars.
Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

Exfoliating Soap Recipes and Formulas – Free

Exfoliating soaps are great for refreshing your skin.  They gently remove dead skin cells and reveal new fresh skin.  Exfoliating soaps also remove dirt, oil and grime that regular soaps do not get rid of.  You will find below a variety of exfoliating soap recipes and formulas that you can make right in your own home.  Feel free to modify any of these recipes to suit your own personal needs. If you prefer video soap making lessons you can Click Here. Also, if you like soap making then you may also want to consider making your own Spa Products as well. Continue reading Exfoliating Soap Recipes and Formulas – Free →

Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

Castor Emu Avocado Kukui Macadamia Nut Oil Blender Soap Recipes Formulas

The following soap recipes are free and include an Avocado Oil and Oat Flour bar that lathers and is relatively hard, a Castor Oil soap that also lathers and is relatively hard, some Emu Oil formulas and a wonderful Cocoa Mint Soap formula. All are designed to lather well. All of the formulas on this page can be modified using our Soap-Calc spreadsheet program. Also, you can modify the essential oils to get the fragrance you desire. Things like oatmeal and pumice can be added at trace as well. Always add fragrances and other additives at trace before pouring into molds. Continue reading Castor Emu Avocado Kukui Macadamia Nut Oil Blender Soap Recipes Formulas →

Online Store

Essential Oils and Fragrances for Soap Making – Store

Essential oils and fragrance oils are a very important part of the soap making process.  They add fragrance to soap.  Soap is made to clean but also to leave you smelling nice. The aroma of soap also has a soothing effect.  Essential oils are recommended over fragrance oils and are considered less problematic.  Our store below includes fragrances like patchouli, lavender, sweet orange, cinnamon, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, tea tree, rosemary and more.

When using fragrance or essential oils to enhance your soap, make sure to add them at the trace stage so as to preserve the fragrance.  If you add the fragrance too soon the lye will destroy it.

Make sure to also check our soapmaking oil store.

Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

Aromatherapy Soap Formulas / Recipes – Free

Aromatherapy has been used since the beginning of recorded history to treat a variety of ailments. Respiratory conditions are especially responsive to aromatherapy. By introducing certain essential oils into your soap formulas you can easily create aromatic soaps that can treat different symptoms. Listed below are some aromatherapy soap recipes and what they treat. Continue reading Aromatherapy Soap Formulas / Recipes – Free →

Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

No Tears Baby Soap Recipes and Quick Trace Blender Soap Formulas

Here are some of our quick trace soap formulas as well as some no tears baby soap recipes.  The quick trace recipes are heavier on coconut and palm oils and will lather very nicely.  The gentle baby soap recipes are more olive oil based and are much more gentle.  You  can modify any of our formulas using our Soap-Calc Spreadsheet Program.  The program will let you enter any oils you wish and will calculate the lye and water needed for the batch.  It also converts the batch to a blender sized formula. If you prefer video soap making lessons you can Click Here. Also, if you like soap making then you may also want to consider making your own Spa Products as well.

Ultimate Quick Trace Formula
14 ounces of coconut oil
2 ounces of castor oil
2.7 ounces lye (sodium hydroxide)
7 fluid ounces water

Blend this but do not allow it to reach a full trace. Pour into molds quickly as it will set up rather fast.

Quick Trace Pine Scent Bar
14 oz coconut oil
2 oz castor oil
2.7 oz lye
7 fluid oz water
1 teaspoon pine EO or FO added at thin trace

Blend this but avoid letting it reach a full trace. Pour into molds immediately.

Gentle Cocoa Butter Baby Soap
12 oz olive oil
2 oz sweet almond oil
2 oz cocoa butter
7 oz water
2.1 oz lye
1/2 oz avocado oil at thin trace
no scent or no more than 1/2 teaspoon of EO or FO

Orange Calming Baby Soap
12 ounces olive oil
4 ounces avocado oil
7 ounces distilled water
2.2 ounces sodium hydroxide
.5 ounces orange essential oil
.2 ounces chamomile essential oil


Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

Goats Milk and Shampoo Bar Blender Soap Recipes / Formula – Free

On this page you will find two Shampoo Bar soap formulas and several milk and goats milk soap formulas.  Shampoo bars are for your hair and tend to have a nice lather and are intended to leave your hair feeling nice and clean and not heavy.  Milk based soaps are designed to naturally moisturize dry skin and keep it healthy.  You may alter any of our formulas using our Soap-Calc Spreadsheet Program .  Keep in mind that you can always alter the essential and fragrance oils in a recipe to suit your taste.  Changing these does not generally alter the lye amount.  Everything else should stay the same.  If you do alter a main oil make sure to always recalculate the lye.  Almost anything can be used as a soap mold.  Continue reading Goats Milk and Shampoo Bar Blender Soap Recipes / Formula – Free →

Online Store

Soap-Calc Lye Calculation Spreadsheet Program SAP Calculator

Click image to see the spreadsheet image full size.

Our spreadsheet program called Soap-Calc is designed to help you create your own custom soap recipes.  It will calculate how much lye and water is needed for any combination of oils you enter. There are 53 oils available to choose from. The program calculates a recipe using the oil amounts you enter and also converts the batch to a blender sized formula. This way you have two formulas for every combination of oils that you enter.

The spreadsheet is $19.99 and is available in a downloadable format. After you pay via paypal you will be given a download link. The link will take you to a directory where you can download the files individually or all at one time as a .zip file. Instructions on how to use the spreadsheet are included.  Also included free with the soap-calc is our collection of 101+ blender soap formulas.  The soapcalc spreadsheet can be opened one of three ways.  First, you can open the spreadsheet using Excel.  Second, you can open the spreadsheet using the included “spread32” program.  Third, you can go to docs.google.com and use that free service to open the spreadsheet.

You can order below.  If you have any questions you can email me at steve@reflectivestore.com .  Thanks.

Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

Free Seaweed Almond Oil Shea Butter Blender Soap Recipes Formulas

Welcome to our free exotic soap recipes.  This collection includes a wonderful Goats Milk and Oatmeal Soap and a fabulous Almond Soap. Also a very gentle baby or sensitive skin recipe as well as an exfoliating kelp and seaweed Japanese soap formula. Finally, we have one luxurious Shea Butter formula that you are sure to love. You may alter any of the recipes.  It is recommended that you run the formula through our Soap-Calc spreadsheet program to be on the safe side. If you prefer video soap making lessons you can Click Here. Also, if you like soap making then you may also want to consider making your own Spa Products as well. Continue reading Free Seaweed Almond Oil Shea Butter Blender Soap Recipes Formulas →

Free Soap Recipes / Formulas

Castille, Coffee, Crisco, Lard Simple Blender Soap Recipes Formula – Free

Here is our collection of simple to make blender soap formulas. The coffee soap has a few extra ingredients but is great for removing odors from clothing or hands. It is often called mechanics soap and is very popular. The Castille olive oil soap is very popular and gentle. The soaps with palm or coconut oil are not as gentle but lather and clean well. I hope you enjoy our formulas. To alter the formulas or recipes you can use our Soap-Calc spreadsheet program. If you prefer video soap making lessons you can Click Here. Also, if you like soap making then you may also want to consider making your own Spa Products as well.

Simple Castille Olive Oil Soap
16 ounces of pure olive oil (non virgin)
2 oz. Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)
6 oz. Distilled Water

Odor Removing Lathering Coffee Soap
8 oz olive oil
4 oz palm oil
4 oz coconut oil
7 oz of strong coffee or expresso
2.2 oz Sodium Hydroxide (lye)
1 ounce cocoa butter added at trace
1/4 ounce vanilla essential oil at trace

Simple Olive Oil and Coconut Formula (moderate lather)
6 ounces of coconut oil
6 ounces olive oil
4 ounces of Crisco
2.3 ounces lye
7 ounces water

Easy Palm Oil and Crisco Recipe
8 ounces of Crisco or comparable shortening
4 ounces of Palm oil
4 ounces of Lard
2.2 oz lye
6 fluid ounces distilled or rain water

Easy Formula Lard Soap
16 ounces lard (available at Walmart Superstores)
2.1 ounces lye
7 ounces water
.2 oz of fragrance if desired.

Easy Coconut Soap (rich lather)
16 oz. coconut oil
2.8 ounces of sodium hydroxide (lye)
7 ounces water
.16 ounce eo or fo (lavender, peach,almond etc…)

Blender Soapmaking, Cold Process Soapmaking

Safely Working with Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)

Safely working with lye

If you are going to make soap at home you are going to have to deal with lye. Lye is also known as sodium hydroxide and is the key ingredient in soap. It is the chemical that converts the oils and fats. Lye is one of the key ingredients in drain openers such as “Drano” or “Liquid Plumber” because of its amazing ability to convert greasy buildup into a soluble substance and clearing a clogged line. Lye should be handled in the same way that drain cleaner, bleach, gasoline or pool chemicals would be handled. If mishandled it can be a dangerous chemical and can cause harm to you and others. If handled correctly these kinds of problems can be avoided. There is no reason why accidents involving lye cannot be completely avoided. As with all dangerous chemicals, keep them away from children.

You can substantially reduce your chances of ever having an accident with lye by remembering four simple things.
1. Never pour water into lye. Always pour lye into the water. (slowly) If you pour water onto lye it can cause a violent reaction.
2. Secondly, be careful not to splash or spill the lye solution. Pre-plan every move you make. Don’t use containers that spill easily. Use stable ones. Stir slowly. Keep other people away while you are working.
3. When handling lye wear goggles, rubber gloves and long sleeves. This will protect you in the event some lye splashes onto you.
4. Keep water near by to wash off any lye that may get on you.
5. Keep lye out of the reach of children.

Please read the following safety information regarding lye.

Warning: Keep children and animals away from lye (sodium hydroxide). Lye is very caustic and can cause serious injury or even death if swallowed and can cause blindness if splashed into the eyes. Always wear long sleeves and be sure to always wear safety goggles. Always keep a large cup of fresh water nearby. If you should splash some lye or raw soap into your eye, IMMEDIATELY pour large amounts of cool water into your eye continuously for 10 minutes, or longer. Visit your nearest hospital emergency room or call 911. If you should splash lye or raw soap onto your skin, rinse immediately with cool water. For more serious skin burns, seek medical care immediately. If lye is accidentally swallowed, do not induce vomiting, call your poison control center or 911 for further instructions, get to emergency fast. It is important to have your lye containers labeled. Again, keep lye away from children and when working with lye keep children away from your work area.

Blender Soapmaking, Cold Process Soapmaking

The Chemistry Behind Soapmaking / How is soap made?

Soap is a byproduct of a chemical reaction that takes place between oils or fats and sodium hydroxide or lye. When mixed with water and then with oils or fats a process called saponification takes place. The initial saponification process takes anywhere from 20 – 90 minutes. After the soap mixture is poured into a mold the rest of the saponification takes place and can take from 5 – 6 weeks. Once the soap has cured it can be tested for proper ph levels using a test strip. You are looking for a ph level of 8 – 10.5.

Each oil has a different SAP value which determines the amount of lye it will take to convert that oil into soap. If you mix oils you will need to calculate a blended SAP value. Programs like our Soap-Calc spreadsheet can help you do this.