Looking for a gentle, effective, and incredibly simple soap you can make at home? You might be surprised to learn that a common kitchen staple holds the key. This guide will show you how to make baking soda soap for a basic, cleansing bar.
This homemade soap is known for its mild cleaning properties. It can help with occasional skin concerns and leaves you feeling fresh. Best of all, it uses minimal ingredients and is a satisfying project for beginners.
How to Make Baking Soda Soap
Before we start mixing, let’s gather our supplies. Think of it like preparing a garden bed—having everything ready makes the process smooth.
You’ll need a few special items for soapmaking, but they are easy to find. Most can be sourced from a local craft store or online.
Essential Equipment:
* A digital kitchen scale (soap making requires precision)
* A heat-safe glass or stainless steel pitcher for mixing lye
* A large stainless steel or enamel pot
* A stick blender (immersion blender)
* Thermometer
* Silicone soap molds or a lined cardboard box
* Protective gear: safety goggles, rubber gloves, and long sleeves
The Core Ingredients:
* Distilled water (tap water can have minerals that interfere)
* Sodium hydroxide (lye) – this is essential for saponification
* Your chosen oils (like olive, coconut, or palm)
* And of course, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Why Baking Soda?
Baking soda is mildly alkaline and has gentle abrasive qualities. In soap, it can help with cleansing and provide a slight “slip” on the skin. It’s important to use it correctly to balance the soap’s final pH.
Now, let’s walk through the process step-by-step. Always remember to work in a well-ventilated area and keep pets and children away during the active making phase.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your First Batch
Follow these steps carefully for a successful batch of soap. Rushing can lead to mistakes, so take your time, just like you would when planting seeds.
Step 1: Safety First & Lye Solution
Put on all your safety gear. Weigh your cold distilled water in the glass pitcher. In a separate, dry container, carefully weigh your lye crystals. Slowly pour the lye into the water (never the other way around!). Stir gently until clear. It will get very hot and fumes will release—this is normal. Set it aside in a safe place to cool.
Step 2: Prepare Your Oils
While the lye cools, weigh your solid oils (like coconut oil) and place them in your large pot. Melt them over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and add your liquid oils (like olive oil). Stir them together and let this mixture cool as well.
Step 3: Combining & Reaching Trace
You want both your lye solution and oils to be between 95-110°F. Check both with your thermometer. When they are at a similar temperature, slowly pour the lye water into the oils. Use your stick blender in short bursts to mix. Alternate blending with stirring by hand. You will see the mixture thicken to a light pudding consistency—this is called “trace.”
Step 4: Adding the Baking Soda
At very light trace, it’s time to add our special ingredient. Take a small amount of your soap batter and mix it thoroughly with your pre-weighed baking soda in a separate bowl. This creates a slurry and prevents clumps. Then, pour this slurry back into the main soap pot and blend it in completely.
Step 5: Molding and Insulating
Pour the finished batter into your prepared molds. Tap the molds gently on the counter to release any air bubbles. Cover the molds loosely with a piece of cardboard, then wrap them in an old towel. This insulation helps the soap go through its gel phase, which ensures a harder bar.
Step 6: The Waiting Game (Curing)
After 24-48 hours, you can unmold your soap. Cut it into bars if you used a loaf mold. Now, the most important part: curing. Place the bars on a rack in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. They need to cure for 4-6 weeks. This allows the water to evaporate and the soap to become mild and long-lasting.
Choosing the Right Oils for Your Skin Type
Just like plants have different needs, so does your skin. The oils you choose define your soap’s character.
* Olive Oil: Makes a gentle, moisturizing bar with a stable lather. Great for sensitive skin.
* Coconut Oil: Creates a hard bar with big, fluffy bubbles and strong cleansing power. Use a balanced amount (around 20-30%) to avoid dryness.
* Palm Oil: Helps create a hard, long-lasting bar. Ensure you source sustainable, RSPO-certified palm oil.
* Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter: Adds extra moisturizing properties and creaminess to the lather.
A simple beginner recipe might be 40% olive oil, 30% coconut oil, and 30% sustainable palm oil. This gives a good balance of hardness, lather, and mildness.
Common Questions & Troubleshooting
Even experienced gardeners encounter issues. Here are some common ones in soap making.
My soap seized or got lumpy after adding baking soda.
This can happen if the batter was too thick or the baking soda wasn’t mixed into a slurry first. Try adding it at a very light trace next time. You can still pour and mold seized soap—it will be rustic but usable.
The soap is very soft after unmolding.
This is normal! High olive oil soaps take longer to harden. The full cure time of 4-6 weeks is crucial for it to firm up properly. Patience is key.
There are white spots or a powdery layer on top.
This is likely soda ash, a harmless reaction with air. It can be minimized by spraying the top of the soap with isopropyl alcohol after pouring. You can also just rinse it off the finished bar.
Can I add scents or colors?
Absolutely! Once you’re comfortable with the basic recipe, you can. Use skin-safe fragrance oils or essential oils added at trace. For colors, try natural options like clays, spices (turmeric), or micas meant for cold process soap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is baking soda soap good for your skin?
When properly formulated and cured, this soap can be a gentle and effective cleanser. The baking soda is incorporated into the soap molecule, so it’s not the same as using straight baking soda on your skin.
Can I make this soap without lye?
No. Lye (sodium hydroxide) is what transforms oils into soap through a chemical reaction called saponification. There is no real “soap” without it. The final product contains no active lye.
What’s the difference between baking soda and washing soda in soap?
They are different! Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is stronger and more alkaline. It is not recommended for use in skin soap recipes, as it can be to harsh.
How long does a homemade bar last?
A well-cured bar used with a draining soap rack can last as long as a store-bought bar, sometimes even longer depending on the oils used.
Making your own cleansing bars is a rewarding skill. It gives you full control over what touches your skin, much like growing your own vegetables. Start with a simple recipe, master the basics, and soon you’ll be creating custom bars for every need. Remember, always run your final recipe through a reliable lye calculator to ensure safety and balance.