Homemade soap is a lot easier to make than you might think. The biggest hurdle is realizing you’ll need some time to let the soap ‘set’ properly.

Here are six beginner-friendly, customizable recipes that are great for personal use (and when you get really good at it, you can even sell them!). These can be made with either cold-process, hot-process, or melt-and-pour methods, depending on your comfort level with handling lye.

Citrus Burst Soap (Cold Process)

Great for: Brightening skin, energizing mood, morning showers

Ingredients

16 oz coconut oil
10 oz olive oil
6 oz cocoa butter
4 oz castor oil
10 oz distilled water
4.5 oz lye (sodium hydroxide)
10 drops orange essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
1 tbsp dried orange peel (optional exfoliant)

Before starting:

Wear gloves, safety goggles, and long sleeves.
Work in a well-ventilated area.
Always add lye to water (never the reverse!) to avoid dangerous reactions.

Cold-Press Soap-Making Method

Step 1: Prepare Your Mold

Line your soap mold with parchment or freezer paper unless using silicone. Have it ready before mixing anything.

Step 2: Make the Lye Solution

Put on gloves and goggles.
In a heat-safe container, slowly pour the lye into the distilled water while stirring gently. Do not breathe in fumes.
Stir until fully dissolved.
Set aside in a safe spot to cool (it will heat up quickly).

Step 3: Melt the Oils

In a stainless steel pot or heat-safe bowl, combine your oils.
Gently melt over low heat (if you’re using a bowl, you can put it in a water bath) until fully liquid.
Remove from heat and let cool to around 100–110°F.

Step 4: Bring Both Mixtures to Temperature

Ensure both your lye solution and melted oils are between 95°F and 110°F. Ideally, within 10 degrees of each other.

Step 5: Mix Lye & Oils

Slowly pour the cooled lye solution into the oil mixture.
Use an immersion blender (stick blender) to blend until it reaches "trace" (this is when the mixture thickens to a thin pudding-like consistency).

Step 6: Add the Extras

Stir in:
- 10 drops orange essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 1 tbsp dried orange peel (optional, adds light exfoliation)
Blend briefly to incorporate.

Step 7: Pour into Mold

Pour the soap batter into your prepared mold and gently tap it on the counter to release air bubbles.

Step 8: Insulate & Set

Cover the mold with a lid or parchment paper.
Wrap in a towel or blanket to insulate.
Let sit for 24–48 hours in a cool, undisturbed area.

Step 9: Unmold & Cure

Once firm, remove from mold and cut into bars.
Let the bars cure for 4–6 weeks on a rack in a cool, dry space with good airflow. This allows the soap to harden and the lye to fully neutralize.

A few things to keep in mind:

Test pH before use with a pH strip. It should be around 8–10.
Store finished bars in a dry place away from humidity or direct sunlight.
Label your bars with date and scent if giving as gifts or selling.

Use this method for all the following soap recipes below.

Goat Milk Soap (Ultra-Creamy & Gentle)

Best For: Sensitive skin & hydration

Ingredients:
16 oz goat milk (frozen into cubes)
8 oz coconut oil
8 oz olive oil
6 oz palm oil (or shea butter for a palm-free version)
4 oz castor oil
4.5 oz lye
1 tbsp honey (optional, for extra creaminess)