human
I've always wanted to make my own soap. What are the steps to making soap at home?
assistant
1. Gather your supplies – you will need lye, water, oils or fats, and a container for mixing.
2. Make sure you have all of the necessary safety equipment on hand before beginning. This includes goggles, gloves, and protective clothing such as aprons.
3. Start by melting the oils in a pot over low heat. You can use a double boiler if desired.
4. Once the oil is completely melted, add the lye to the mixture and stir continuously until it dissolves.
5. Increase the temperature of the mixture to about 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit (49-60 degrees Celsius).
6. When the temperature has reached the desired level, remove from heat and slowly add the water while stirring continuously.
7. Continue stirring until the soap reaches a thick trace stage. At this point, the soap should be pourable but still have some structure.
8. Pour the soap into molds or containers and let cool.