Lye Prep: With your safety gear on, weigh out 4.7 oz. of sodium hydroxide lye flakes in the 8 oz. Glass Measuring Cup. In the Easy Pour Container, weigh out 10.9 oz. of room temperature distilled water. Slowly and carefully add the lye to the water and gently stir with the stainless steel spoon until the lye has fully dissolved. Never add the water to the lye or it may boil over. As you stir, the mixture will emit fumes; do not breathe them in. The lye mixture will heat to about 180-190 ° F. Label the container “DANGER: LYE” and place in a safe space to cool until about 120-130 ° F. This takes about an hour. With gloves on, wash and dry the 8 oz. Glass Measuring Cup to weigh the fragrance oil.

Oil Prep: While the lye solution cools, prep the oils. Fully melt the entire bag of Lots of Lather Quick Mix in the microwave or in a double boiler. If melting the oils in a double boiler, do not let the bag touch the sides or bottom of the pot or it can melt. You’ll know the oils are melted when there are no chunks or cloudiness in the bag. Once the oils are completely melted, give the bag a good shake. Weigh 33 oz. into the 2 Quart Glass Bowl.

Fragrance Prep: This kit includes 4 ounces of fragrance oil. If you like a strong scent, measure out 2.4 oz. of fragrance into the washed 8 oz. Glass Measuring Cup. If you prefer a lighter scent, measure 1.3-2 oz. Undiluted fragrance oils can degrade plastic, so it’s important to use the glass container provided.

Temperatures: Check the temperature of your lye solution and oils. You want the oils and lye to be 110-130° F. If you took off your safety goggles and gloves, place them back on. When your oils and lye are in the correct temperature range, carefully add 2 tsp. of sodium lactate to the lye solution and use the spoon to gently stir in. Wash off spoon immediately. Sodium lactate is a liquid salt that helps the soap harden and unmold faster.

Suit up for safety! Once all your ingredients are prepped, it’s time to make soap! Before starting, put back on your safety goggles and gloves. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and close-toed shoes. It’s important to leave on your safety gear during the entire soaping process.

• Tap the stick blender on the bottom of the bowl to get rid of bubbles. Slowly and carefully add the lye solution to the oils. Pulse the stick blender on and off to begin blending the oils and lye together. Continue to pulse the stick blender for 15-20 seconds and use the stick blender to stir the mixture.
• Once you start blending, the mixture will begin to look creamy. After about 1 minute of blending and stirring, the oils and lye are combined and the soap will be the texture of thin pudding.
• Add the fragrance oil to the soap and use your whisk to combine thoroughly.
• At this point, the soap batter will have thickened slightly. Add 1 Tbsp. of exfoliant and whisk to combine.
• Once the exfoliant is thoroughly mixed in, slowly and carefully pour the soap into the silicone loaf mold.
• Tap the mold firmly on the counter to release bubbles.
• Cover and insulate soap to promote gel phase.
• Unmold and cut after 3-5 days. Cure for 4-6 weeks before using.