Saponification

is a very cool process!  I've been itching to make some homemade soap for AGES, and I've had the ingredients for months just waiting for me to get up the gumption to try my hand at it.  I had read through Rhonda's instructions many times and had them printed off and placed with my supplies all ready for The Day.  This weekend was the time.  Enough procrastination!

I made the first batch alone as I didn't want to put anyone at risk for getting burned.  Once I finished the first batch my confidence level soared as I realized that making soap is really not as hard as I had thought it would be.  The more skills I learn, the more I find that sentiment to be absolutely true.  I spend more time fretting over trying something than actually doing it when I finally start!

* As an important note - it is critical that you wear protective gear in case you get splashed with caustic soda (lye).  Wear eye protection, a mask to protect your face and mouth, an apron, long sleeves and gloves.

Because I was very focussed on the steps, I didn't take many pictures of the actual process.  I will next time.  For now, I'll share what I do have on camera :)

My daughter helping to measure out the caustic soda on a scale.  Accuracy is essential!

 This is the first batch of soap after it cured for about 24 hours.

And here is the same batch all cut and ready to cure on a wire rack for 6 weeks.

This is a sign that I made up for the laundry room counter where the soap rests under a towel to slowly cool over 24 hours.  We have a busy house and if I don't do that, someone will surely plop something down on my towel and ruin my soap!

Here is the batch of lavender soap that we just finished this evening.  At trace, we added some lavender and some essential oil.  The soap has changed color (to this brown color) and has warmed up significantly during the hour it has sat under the towel.  It will change color again as it cools and will eventually be creamy white with little lavender bits in it (we hope!).

All in all we LOVE making soap and so far my favourite part is the smell.  I LOVE that I can smell fresh clean soap when the mixture is just starting to reach trace - it smells so nice and gentle but definitely like soap - natural, gentle, clean soap.  I can't wait to try it and I don't know HOW I'm going to wait 6 weeks to do so!