Safety First!

For Your Safety: Do NOT use Soap making tools for preparing food.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES: Get a copy of the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for lye (Sodium Hydroxide) and READ IT. Lye is a highly caustic chemical. When working with lye, always wear eye protection and rubber gloves. A long sleeved shirt, long pants and shoes that cover your toes are a must. If lye solution (or dry form) comes into contact with skin, flush the affected area immediately with vinegar and then wash the skin well with detergent and water. Lye can burn you chemically and thermally (remember the exothermic reaction, it can heat up to ~200 degrees F when it mixes with moisture, even the moisture in your skin). If you handle raw soap, the presence of lye on the skin can usually be detected as a slick feeling on the skin which will quickly dry your skin as excess lye tries to mix with the oils in your skin and make soap out of them!

Aluminum and cast iron should never come in contact with lye, as they will corrode. This means NO aluminum pans, foil, or utensils. Containers used for mixing lye solutions should clearly be marked as "Poison" and kept out of the reach of children and animals. These containers should not be used for any other purpose. Children and animals should be removed from the general soapmaking vicinity. When measuring out lye or stirring the solution, care should be taken to avoid breathing the dust or fumes created by the lye. Always work in a well-ventilated area. If lye is accidentally ingested, get medical care immediately.

Equipment you will need to get started.

Two-quart glass measuring pitcher, stainless steel pan or plastic container to mix soap.
Small glass containers for measuring fragrances, etc into.
Microwave or Pan for heating oils on the stovetop.
Glass, stainless steel or heat-resistant (212 deg. F) plastic container for mixing the lye solution.
Long handled plastic spoon and rubber spatulas for stirring soap and the lye solution.
Two thermometers (I like the glass ones, but make sure that the numbers are not printed on the outside of the glass or they will disappear in your soap!) (with a range of at least 90-200 deg. F) to measure temperature of the lye solution and oils.
Safety Glasses or Goggles
Rubber gloves
Scale for weighing the oils, lye and water. A kitchen scale will work but a digital scale that can read both grams and ounces is preferred. (A digital postal scale is a good choice.)
Stick or immersion style hand blender. (optional)
Molds for soap (I have found that a (3"x15") Rubbermaid drawer organizer works well and is not expensive! You will need two of these for my favorite recipe.) Or plastic shoe boxes work well.
Freezer Wrap (to cover your work surface area as well as your molds)
Old towels or blanket to insulate soap after poured in mold.
Wire rack, or plastic needlepoint sheets.
DO NOT USE ALUMINUM CONTAINERS! (They will react with the lye)

First things First: Lay out a fresh layer of freezer wrap on your counter top to protect your work surface and make cleanup easier. Set up all equipment you will be using. If using a Rubbermaid plastic mold, brush a thin layer of petroleum jelly on it so that your soap will release easier.

Weigh your oils and place them in glass pitcher or pan for heating. Weigh out essential oils and other additives such as coloring and set aside.

Safety First! I cannot express enough the importance of adhering to all safety precautions when using lye. Put on your long sleeve shirt, pants that will cover your legs, shoes with toes, apron, SAFETY GLASSES or GOGGLES, and RUBBER GLOVES!

Measure water into your heat-resistant container. If you have a window by your kitchen sink, place the container in the sink and open the window. You can also do this step outside. Just make sure that you are in a well-ventilated area. Measure lye into a separate container and then slowly pour it into the water, stirring gently until the lye dissolves. When you add the lye to the water it will cause an exothermic reaction (meaning, it will heat up all by itself, to ~ 200* F) Lye is extremely caustic, it can cause severe burns. It can also cause problems with your lungs if you breathe the fumes… so hold your breath while you are adding and stirring the lye. It will stop fuming after about 30 seconds. Place a thermometer in the lye solution and set it in your sink to cool.