How to Make Soap without Lye
|So you want to make your own soap but you don’t want to handle Lye!
I get you! When I first started making Melt and Pour soap I thought that it would be a fun little project. I didn’t know that it would become a huge hobby of mine!! The more I make soap, the more I consider learning hot process or cold process soapmaking. Both require handling lye. And I’m just not ready for all that: calculating, weighing, measuring, and scariest of all: testing! I’m afraid I’m going to mess it up and make an irritating soap. I’m also impatient! When I finish a bar I want to use it right away!
So if you’re not ready to jump into more advanced soap making, or you want to use your soap tonight, then this website can be a good resource to help you make your own soap. Now here’s my quick disclaimer: All soap is made with lye. Check out the what is soap post for the science lesson. I like to dabble with melt and pour soap because of the simplicity and the fact the lye handling part is already done! With the Melt and Pour method, you buy a soap base that’s already been made and cured – it’s ready to go!
You don’t have to worry about what weird chemicals and ingredients are in it. You don’t have to wonder if your soap is harming your children or yourself. You will know what’s in your soap and you can even make natural or organic soaps using this Melt and Pour method. Ready to learn how to make soap without lye? Let’s go!
Soap Ingredients & Materials
1 lb Melt & Pour Soap Base (I prefer SFIC brand)
1 tsp Essential Oil or Fragrance Oil
Herbs, Spices, or Botanicals (optional)
Pyrex Measuring Glass/Bowl
Big Spoon and/or Rubber Spatula
Measuring Equipment
Cutting Board & Knife
Soap Molds (I prefer Silicone Soap Molds)
Spray Bottle with Rubbing Alcohol
[Related Articles: Basic Soapmaking Supplies | Choosing a Soap Base | Choosing Soap Molds | Natural Soap Colorants ]
Melt & Pour Soap Tutorial
1. Gather all your soap ingredients and soap supplies
2. Cut your melt and pour soap base into cubes. (approximately 1″ cubes)
3. Place your soap cubes into a Pryex bowl or measuring glass. I highly recommend using a non-porous material, avoid plastic.
4. Microwave your soap starting with 30 seconds first.
5. Stir the soap and continue to microwave in 10 second bursts while stirring in between. The reason for this is so you don’t overheat your soap base and you can slowly melt the cubes evenly.
6. When the soap is melted with an even consistency, you can add in your essential oils, coloring, and any other additives like exfoliants or botanicals you desire.
7. Stir in the ingredients to incorporate them evenly. Sometimes a film will form along the top or the soap will begin to set up. You can put it back in the microwave for a couple seconds to remedy that or keep stirring to try to prevent it.
8. Pour your soap into a mold. I have really grown fond of silicone soap molds. I got This one on Amazon, and it perfectly fits a 1 lb soap batch!
9. After you pour, spray the surface with a fine mist of rubbing alcohol. This helps break up the bubbles and create a smooth surface.
10. Let the soaps cool and harden. This could take a couple hours: be patient. Do NOT attempt to speed up the process by placing the mold in the freezer – that will cause them to sweat more after you take them out. When they’re completely cooled and hardened, they will easily pop out of the mold!
When you’re ready to make your own soap, check out all of the melt and pour soap recipes or the getting started page
This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase your soap mold using my link I’ll get a small commission to support this blog. If you would like to use the same soap mold I did, Here is the link to get it on Amazon!
So how did your soap turn out? Do you have any additional tips or tricks? Share below!
I want to start making soap and have been reading many sites on the web. I began to feel intimidated by all the variables and information out there on the subject that I almost gave up. Then I came across your blog! It’s concise, educational and fun. I’ve decided to go the Melt and Pour way. Thank you! Thank you! 🙂
Awesome! so glad I could help you! How’s it going? Did you make some amazing batches yet?
I have always wanted to try a fst easy method for soap making. This year Im so darn dry is there a recommended soap I should try ?
gentle soap base without any fragrance. try a coconut milk or goat milk base. The absolute best for very sensitive skin however is to learn to make your own from scratch cold process method with 100% olive oil
Hi Becca . I have always wanted a easy start recipe .Thank you for this ! This year Im so darn dry can you recommend a good moisture bar?
I always recommend SFIC’s Melt and Pour bases. They are high quality and not as drying as the bases offered at craft stores. You could try a Melt and Pour base that has goats milk or shea butter!
What a great post Becca! I always want to try making my own soap and lotions. This has inspired me to give it a try!
Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad I have inspired!
I totally agree with you on your hesitation to work with lye. I’ve never heard of melt and pour soap! What a nice alternative. Thanks for sharing!!
You’re welcome! Melt and Pour is so easy it’s kinda like cheating! 😉
I was going to post a new tutorial this weekend but as I was taking photos, I dropped my phone in the hot melty soap….so we’ll see if my phone resurrects. woopsies.
How many soap bars does this make??
Hi Kristen! Thanks for stopping by – Using the soap mold in the post, it made 6 bars of soap. Let me know if you have any more questions and keep coming back for more recipes and tips!
I can’t wait to try makeing soap you make it seem easy and fun. Thanks for the tips.
You’re very welcome! Hope you have fun with it! I have 4 lbs of soap base ready to be made into some awesome soap! New recipes should be coming soon