Easy Homemade Soap

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Lacy Razor
January/February 2009
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Meanwhile, heat the fats until melted (see instructions for making tallow soap).

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The milk/lye solution will turn an amber color and eventually the temperature will settle to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Add it to the fats when they reach a similar temperature (between 100 and 120 degrees). Stir until trace. Remember that “trace” means the point where there is no threat of the mixture separating, not when the mixture turns into a thick gravy-like substance. The temperature will rise a few degrees, then you know that you have reached trace.

At trace, you may add scent, oatmeal, color, or whatever additives your sweet country heart desires. Be creative and have fun. This is, after all, your unique version of savon lait de chévre, right?

Pour it into the molds and let cool overnight. If you feel compelled to cover the soap, use a layer of plastic wrap. Remove from the mold after 24 hours, and cut into bars.

Enjoy! A gift basket with a quart jar of homemade laundry detergent and a few bars of homemade soap is the perfect way to treat your family and friends to a taste of the simple life.

Luxurious bath bars with herbs from your garden or milk from your own goat make for a beautiful and personalized gift. Get in touch with your inner pioneer and bring soapmaking into your home.

Blogger Lacy Razor and her husband, Josh live the country life in Harris County, Georgia. They report on their adventures with everything from making use of seasonal garden bounty to building farm structures with recycled materials.

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Archived Comments

  • stacey weber 3/6/2011 1:14:42 AM

    Love the article! I'm looking forward to trying some of your recipes. I made my first batch of lard soap for a locally focused butcher shop/market that is due to open very soon in Houston. My husband raises pigs so I have plenty of lard to do something with...

    I simply adore the brown crinkly paper strips that wrap your soap in the picture. Where did you find that or did you make it yourself? It makes such a lovely presentation, and I'd love to replicate it if you don't mind sharing!

    Cheers,
    Stacey W.

  • Josephine 1/28/2009 9:39:18 AM

    Hi, for the laundry detergent, I mix the dry ingredients together without water or cooking, and use it dry. It takes much less room to store and works great, I use between 2T and 4T depending on the size and dirtiness of the clothes. I have also used it in the dishwasher and it did a great job. I also spinkled it on the oven door and bottom to clean up burnt on messes.

    I really do want to learn soap making, and look forward to trying your recipe. We plan on raising some pigs this year and will have our own source of fat. My dear mate says that you use everything but the squeal. I will also try your bleach alternative, can you use that on colored fabrics? thanks for a great article.

  • Razor Family Farms 1/3/2009 6:11:36 PM

    Hi Elisa!

    It doesn't matter if you use the bottled or the fresh juice -- both work just fine. I love that substitute and have even put it in spray bottles for the various stains that appear on my kids' clothing.

    Also, the kids use it in spray bottles when they clean their bathroom. It won't hurt them and it does a great job on tile, sinks, and commodes.

    Blessings and thanks!

    Lacy Razor

    www.razorfamilyfarms.com
    NEWS @ Razor Family Farms (GRIT.com)

  • Razor Family Farms 1/3/2009 6:08:42 PM

    Hi Dan!

    I'm so sorry that your local hardware stores have had to remove lye from the shelves. Bummer! Those meth-making folks just have no idea all the trouble they cause!

    Check out Camden-Grey (www.camdengrey.com) and order lye from there. You have to sign a special form but once they receive your signature (on the form), you may order as much lye as you would like. Two pounds of lye will cost you less than $6 there. I usually buy it in bulk.

    Hope that helps!

    Blessings,
    Lacy Razor

    www.razorfamilyfarms.com
    GRIT.com NEWS @ Razor Family Farms

  • Dan_1 12/31/2008 7:56:49 PM

    Uh Oh... problem.... I live in the midwest. Indiana to be exact. Unfortunately, we have a huge problem with methamphetamine cooks. They started using lye in their processing of meth and now the stores have removed lye from the shelves. No drugstore, hardware store, retail store, no one has lye. I've wanted to try my hand at soapmaking, but I just don't know where to get the stuff anymore. Suggestions?

    Thanks!
    Dan

  • Dan_1 12/31/2008 7:56:27 PM

    Uh Oh... problem.... I live in the midwest. Indiana to be exact. Unfortunately, we have a huge problem with methamphetamine cooks. They started using lye in their processing of meth and now the stores have removed lye from the shelves. No drugstore, hardware store, retail store, no one has lye. I've wanted to try my hand at soapmaking, but I just don't know where to get the stuff anymore. Suggestions?

    Thanks!
    Dan

  • Elisa 12/26/2008 11:56:56 AM

    This article was great and very timely as I've been wanting to learn to make soap. I do have a question about the bleach/brightener substitute recipe. Do you use fresh lemon or grapefruit juice or bottled? Or does it matter?

  • Dawn_1 12/20/2008 3:26:28 PM

    A wonderful and informative article as usual. You rock.

  • Razor Family Farms 12/15/2008 1:12:22 PM

    Hi Laura-Jane and Crossview,

    Thank you for you wonderful comments! I'm so glad that you liked the article! I've started using my homemade laundry detergent in my dishwasher as dishwashing detergent now -- works like a charm!

    Josh washed the car with it, too!

    Blessings and thanks!

    Lacy Razor

    NEWS @ Razor Family Farms (GRIT.com blog)
    www.razorfamilyfarms.com

  • CrossView 12/15/2008 7:09:38 AM

    Wow! Everything, and I mean everything, you ned to know for good old fashioned cleaning! Great job, Lacy!

  • laura-jane@whimfield.com 12/14/2008 5:33:41 PM

    Thanks for the inspiration to make soap. You make it sound pretty easy and fun.

    Thanks for sharing. Great article!

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