How Do You Make Lard Lye Soap?
Soap-making techniques have gone basically unchanged for several hundred years. In the early days of soap, it was typically made out of any type of fat, which was mixed with lye made from wood ashes. Modern soap is made with more pure and clean ingredients, but the technique remains the same. Your options for soap molds and scents is virtually endless, so you can always keep it exciting. Lay two layers of newspaper down on a table or countertop. Set the soap molds on top of the newspaper. The newspaper will soak up and spilled liquid, which in turn shortens your cleanup time. Put on the face mask, rubber gloves and safety goggles. Lye is a highly caustic substance and can burn or irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory system. Pour the cold water into the mixing bowl. Add the lye to the cold water. Pour the lye with a slow, constant stream. Stir the mixture constantly, but slowly with a wooden spoon. Stick the thermometer in the mixture and wait for the temperature to reach 85 degrees.