When I started making soap, I was somewhat overwhelmed and wanted basic soap recipes to try.
Once I understood the foundation of the cold process method and that handling lye (sodium hydroxide) was not that bad, I was ready to give it a try.
When I researched on the Internet, it seemed that lye soap recipes required all of these oils and butters that I had never heard of. I wondered if I could just get some basic soap recipes using common pantry ingredients.
I did purchase some soapmaking kits that I found great. But I needed to wait for the delivery and wanted a bit more freedom.
These basic soap recipes are vegetable-based. I also have single oil recipes and some lard soap recipes.
You will need to purchase lye (sodium hydroxide) for making soap. You should use distilled water or rain water.
The other ingredients for basic soap recipes can be found in most communities, you may want to stake out where you can buy some quality essential oils or fragrance oils at a good price.
Remember that ingredients (except for additives when indicated in volume) need to be weighed and not measured. Fragrance and essential oils should also be weighed.
Basic 3 Oil Recipe (Avocado, Coconut and Palm)
INGREDIENTS
Fats, oils and butters
- 240 grams avocado oil
- 180 grams coconut oil
- 180 grams palm oil
Lye ― Water Solution
- 86 grams lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 228 grams distilled water
Additive and scent at light trace
- optional: 20 to 36 grams of your favorite essential oils or fragrance oils (you will need a little over 30 millilitre bottle- the equivalent of about one fluid ounce).
This recipe makes about 2 pounds of soap which will produce about 6-7 bars of natural soap.
Natural colour and additives can be added to these ingredients.
Basic 3 Oil Recipe (Olive, Coconut and Shortening)
INGREDIENTS
Fats, oils and butters
- 330 grams olive oil
- 120 grams coconut oil
- 150 grams vegetable shortening
Lye ― Water Solution
- 83 grams lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 228 grams distilled water
Basic 3 Oil Recipe (Olive, Coconut and Palm)
INGREDIENTS
Fats, oils and butters
- 300 grams olive oil
- 180 grams coconut oil
- 120 grams palm oil
Lye ― Water Solution
- 86 grams lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 228 grams distilled water