Homemade soap: 8 right recipes to make no mistakes anymore

In recent times, it has become common to manufacture our own products, whether cleaning, cosmetics or even clothing and decoration items. With homemade soap it is no different.

In addition to promoting the reuse of ingredients that would normally go to waste, homemade soap offers an economical alternative to the industrialized version and it is still possible to produce it with the products and aromas of your choice.

1. Simple homemade soap

For a simple soap, ideal for washing dishes or clothes, be sure to try this version with milk, which in addition to being hydrating, also has a super easy method of preparation.

Ingredients

• 300 grams of soda flakes (96-99%)
• 300 ml of milk
• 2 liters of soy oil

Preparation mode

1. Pour the milk at room temperature into a container;
2. Then, very carefully add the soda to the milk, mixing the two ingredients well;
3. The liquid will acquire a more orange color and when the soda is completely diluted, add the two liters of oil, also at room temperature;
4. Again stir well, incorporating the elements into the bowl;
5. Make sure the mixture is thicker and put it in a long container;
6. Wait about 3 hours and cut the pieces.

Although easy, some care must be observed in this recipe, such as making sure you incorporate all the ingredients until you reach the right point. Because it has milk, this soap helps to moisturize your hands when washing dishes and also makes clothes soft.

2. Homemade soap with alcohol

In a different way of preparing your soap, this recipe does not require the use of a bucket or bowl where you need to stir for minutes, as it requires a plastic bottle where the liquid can be mixed more easily.

Ingredients

• 260 ml of water
• 150 grams of caustic soda
• 1 liter of sieved used oil
• 50 ml of alcohol (46%)

Preparation mode

1. Take your water to the fire, heating it until it becomes lukewarm;
2. Change the water in the container and gradually add the soda to the water, diluting it;
3. Also put the oil on the fire and keep it until it gets warm, and then put it in a 2.5 liter pet bottle;
4. Add half of the soda-water mixture to the oil, all inside the bottle;
5. After the liquids have cooled, close the bottle and shake it well, mixing the three elements;
6. Every minute open the bottle a little to release the pressure, don’t forget to cap it again before shaking again;
7. After 3 minutes mixing, you can add the rest of the soda with water and the 50 ml of alcohol;
8. Then with all the ingredients together, shake the bottle for another twenty minutes, remembering to open it from time to time to release the pressure;
9. Pour the contents of the bottle into a form;
10. After 7 days your soap will be solidified and ready to use.

Although the method requires a little patience and strength in the arms, the end result is worth the effort, as you guarantee a quality soap with all the benefits of a handmade product.

3. Homemade vinegar soap

The cool thing about vinegar soap is that it’s great for removing stains, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive products to get rid of dirt on your clothes. See the directions below.

Ingredients

• 1 kg of caustic soda (99%)
• 2 liters of water
• 500 grams of salt
• 150 ml of vinegar
• 7 liters of oil
• 100 ml of essence (optional)

Preparation mode

1. Put ¾ of the water (1 and a half liters) in a container and reserve the rest for later, add the soda and stir until it dissolves completely in the water;
2. In a separate pot, place the rest of the water (½ liter) together with the salt, diluting it;
3. In the soda mixture, pour the 7 liters of oil and stir everything;
4. In this next step you must add the dissolved salt and vinegar to the main container, with oil and soda;
5. Continue mixing the ingredients until the consistency thickens;
6. Then add the essence of your choice and stir for a few more minutes;
7. When all the elements are well incorporated and without separating, you can put the soap on a tray.

Remember to always use safety equipment when dealing with caustic soda, gloves and goggles are essential when using corrosives, getting a quality soap without getting hurt.

4. Homemade bicarbonate soap

With the advantage of being antibacterial, bicarbonate soap has properties that make it an excellent cleaning product. Its characteristic is that it is very light and the following recipe is very simple.

Ingredients

• 750 ml of oil
• 250 grams of soda flakes (or 170 ml of liquid soda)
• 75 ml of neutral detergent
• 200 ml of ice water
• 1 tablespoon of bicarbonate

Preparation mode

1. Put the oil in a deep container and add the detergent to it;
2. Give the liquids a little stir, and with the help of gloves gradually add the soda, and then stir the contents of the container again. You can use a hand mixer to facilitate mixing at this stage;
3. Dissolve the bicarbonate in 200 ml of ice water and add the compound to the other ingredients;
4. Stir again and when all the products are well incorporated it is already possible to take the mixture to the mold or form;
5. After 24 hours your soap will be at cutting point and ready to use.

It is valid to say that the bicarbonate soap also releases a lot of foam at the time of washing, ideal for those who only feel that the utensils are clean even when they form many bubbles.

5. Homemade Glycerin Soap

If you are looking for a more sophisticated recipe, which yields a mega-scented soap, this version with essence, almond extract and shea butter will win you over.

Ingredients

• 500 grams of white glycerin base
• 50 ml of liquid lauryl
• 1 tablespoon of shea butter
• 40 ml of essence (the scent of your choice)
• 100 ml of almond extract
• Dye (the color of your choice)

Preparation mode

1. Cut the glycerin into small pieces of about 2 cm and take it to the minimum fire in a pan with a lid;
2. Turn off the fire, wait for the pan to cool slightly and add the shea butter and wait for it to melt;
3. Add the chosen essence and soon after take the lauryl to the mixture, mixing all the ingredients already in the pan;
4. Also put the almond extract and about 8 drops of the coloring, if you want a stronger color just add a little more;
5. Stir again and the mixture will be ready to be poured into the mold;
6. Take the mold to the fridge and when the soap is firm and starting to get cold, remove it.

Remember that during each step it is recommended to close the pan, to prevent the soap from forming “cream”. This soap, unlike other recipes, can even be used for the body itself, since it doesn’t take caustic soda.

6. Homemade soap with tallow

In a sustainable way, soap with tallow is an option in which not only used oil is reused, but also beef tallow. The following recipe uses coconut essence to make the aroma more pleasant.

Ingredients

• 3 liters of water
• 1 kg of soda in flakes
• 3 liters of melted beef tallow
• 3 liters of used oil
• 50 ml of coconut essence
• 4 liters of post alcohol (ethanol)

Preparation mode

1. In a plastic bowl, place the 3 liters of water and carefully add the soda, with a long wooden spoon, mix the two ingredients for about 10 minutes, until the soda dissolves completely;
2. Add the liquid suet while still warm and stir again to cool the compounds;
3. Throw the oil into the mixture, it’s best if it’s still hot;
4. Add the essence and stir well until completely cooled, this will take about 20 minutes;
5. When the point is starting to curdle, gradually pour in the alcohol while stirring, being very careful not to boil the mixture;
6. After 15 to 20 minutes the soap can be placed in a mold and after 12 hours it can be cut and used to wash clothes and dishes.

This recipe yields about 21 medium bars of soap, saving you money and ensuring a completely handcrafted product.

7. Cold homemade soap

An alternative to excessive oil use is to use avocado pulp as a base for your soap. The following process does not require high temperatures, therefore the product is made entirely cold.

Ingredients

• 1 kg avocado, pitted and peeled
• 150 ml of oil
• 70 ml of liquid soda
• 150 ml of water
• 2 tablespoons of wood ash
• 75 ml of alcohol

Preparation mode

1. Initially, you put the avocado pulp in the blender, along with the oil, the soda and the water and mix everything together until there are no more solid particles;
2. Remove the mixture from the blender and take it to a plastic container, add the sifted ashes and mix with a wooden spoon or hand mixer;
3. Add the alcohol gradually and mix again;
4. In a greased form with oil, transfer the contents of the bowl;
5. Three days later, when the soap is already coming off the mold, it will be ready to cut.

As strange as it may seem, the ash in this version helps to give consistency to the soap, in addition to having the benefits of its mineral salts and exfoliating power. There’s no way not to!

8. Homemade stone soap

The lemongrass scent is amazing, but have you ever thought about incorporating this scent into your product? The advantage of stone soap is that you can add various types of essences or herbs without taking so much risk of missing the point of the recipe.

Ingredients

• 500 grams of caustic soda
• 1 liter of water
• A handful of whole lemongrass (the long stalk)
• 100 ml of lauryl
• 3 liters of beef fat

Preparation mode

1. Put half of the water (½ liter) in a bucket, next to the soda and let it dissolve;
2. While the soda dissolves, cut the lemon grass into small pieces, add it to the blender along with the rest of the water (½ liter) and blend both;
3. Strain the liquid with lemon grass and discard the bagasse;
4. Add the fat to the diluted soda and stir well;
5. Add the lemongrass strained liquid and mix once more;
6. Add the lauryl to the mixture and stir until thickened, about 15 minutes.
7. Take the already dense soap to a tray and wait until it hardens, when it is more rigid and whitish, it is ready to cut.

Stone soap is often used for dishwashing or it can be grated to become a more natural replacement for laundry detergent powder.

Very cool to know that it is possible to produce our own cleaning products, right? Now all you have to do is choose a recipe, your favorite method and start making your homemade soap.