The process of making soap is called saponification, which can be cold, hot or continuous.
Equipment that you will need includes;
a large enamel or stainless steel pot, two plastic jugs for mixing and pouring, kitchen scales, safety goggles, a long handled spoon, two kitchen thermometers, rubber gloves and soap moulds. Some of these things you will find around the house and others can be purchased from craft stores. The ingredients that you use will determine the type of soap you produce and include; a fat such as lard, olive oil or coconut oil and lye which hardens soap. Additives can include colourings such as candle dye and scents such as almond, honey and lemon.
Listed in Part 2 and 3 are the stages involved in making soap. Alternatively you can buy pre-made glycerine blocks, which can be melted in a microwave, before adding colours and scents and then pouring into moulds.
Prepare the moulds, which could be purpose made or any heat resistant container such as jelly or candle moulds and greased tins.
If you are not using purchased tallow, render the fat by melting it to remove impurities and strain what is left to get the tallow.
Pour the correct amount of lye slowly into cold water, held in an enamel or steel pot. The liquid will heat up and should be stirred until the solution cools to approximately 100 degrees and becomes clear.
Measure out the oils and fats. Mix and melt them and allow them to cool to approximately 100 degrees.
Slowly pour the solution of lye into the oil and fat. Stir gently for a few minutes then leave for approximately 15 minutes and repeat this process until the mixture begins to thicken.
When the mixture begins to thicken add any colours or scents that you have chosen to include.
Pour the mixture into the moulds that you have chosen and cover them with a towel, to slow the rate of cooling.
After leaving the soap for a couple of days to harden, remove it from the moulds and leave it for a few weeks before it is ready to use.
