Gather safety gear: gloves, goggles, long sleeves
Gather equipment: digital scale, heat-safe containers, stick blender, thermometer, mold, spatula
Gather ingredients: oils or fats, lye, distilled water, optional fragrance, colorants, additives
Measure all ingredients by weight
Prepare a well-ventilated workspace
Slowly add lye to distilled water
Stir until dissolved
Let the lye solution cool
Melt and combine the oils or fats
Let the oils cool to the desired temperature
Mix the lye solution into the oils
Blend until the mixture reaches trace
Add fragrance, colorants, or additives
Stir to combine
Pour the soap batter into the mold
Tap the mold to release air bubbles
Cover and insulate the mold
Let the soap set for 24 to 48 hours
Remove the soap from the mold
Cut into bars if needed
Cure the bars in a dry, ventilated area for 4 to 6 weeks
Store the finished soap bars in a cool, dry place