How to Make Olive Oil Soap Without Lye
Overview
Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is used in all soaps. The result of a chemical reaction between sodium carbonate and calcium hydroxide, lye causes soap to saponify, or harden. If you don't add lye to a soap mixture, you'll end up with detergent rather than hardened soap. If you make homemade soap, you have to be extremely careful when handling lye, as it can be very harmful. Thankfully, you can avoid the risks of handling lye by repurposing store-bought soap to make your own homemade olive oil soap.
Step 1
Shred approximately 4 bars of store-bought soap. You'll need 4 cups of shredded soap to make your homemade olive oil soap. A kitchen shredder or grater will do the job well.
Step 2
Boil olive oil in a pot on the stove.
Step 3
Place dried lavender in another pot.
Step 4
Pour the boiling olive oil over the dried lavender.
Step 5
Allow the lavender to steep in the oil for 10 minutes.
Step 6
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Step 7
Place the shredded soap in another pot, and pour the mixture over it.
Step 8
Mix the entire solution thoroughly and allow it to stand for 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 9
Roll the mixture into 3- to 4-inch balls, or pour the mixture into soap molds.
Step 10
Let the soaps harden for 2 to 3 days before using them.
skill
3
ingredient
4 cups shredded soap
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons dried lavender
warning
Be careful when boiling the olive oil. Wear protective eye wear to protect against oil splashes.
keyword
olive oil soap, lye, homemade soap, soap mold