Gather ingredients: oils or fats, distilled water, lye, and optional fragrance or additives
Wear gloves, goggles, and long sleeves
Work in a well-ventilated area
Measure all ingredients accurately by weight
Slowly add lye to water, never water to lye
Stir until the lye fully dissolves
Let the lye solution cool
Melt and mix the oils or fats
Let the oils cool to a similar temperature as the lye solution
Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils
Blend until the mixture reaches trace
Add fragrance, color, or other additives if desired
Pour the mixture into a soap mold
Cover and let it sit for 24 to 48 hours
Remove from the mold and cut into bars
Cure the soap in a dry, ventilated place for 4 to 6 weeks
Store the finished soap in a cool, dry place