When fat and lye are brought together under the right conditions, they react to make soap and glycerin, and this process is called "Saponification." It actually takes several weeks to complete the process of saponification and the homemade soap needs to sit and age before it can be used. Right after it is made there is still "free lye" present and fresh soap is very caustic. Most traditional recipes for soapmaking call for lye (which on the farm was made from hardwood ashes), fat (saved and rendered after hog butchering) and water.

A milder, moisturizing soap can be made by substituting the water with milk. . . goat milk of course. Following the recipes exactly and careful handling of the ingredients is critical for successful soap making. If the proportions are correct and saponification is complete, the soap will be neutral, if any free lye is present the soap will "bite."

Lye

Soapmaking can be a somewhat tricky and even dangerous project because lye is a very caustic substance. Keep children and animals away while making soap. Never add hot water or milk to the lye crystals, they will heat up anyway and using hot liquid will cause it to spatter. Wear rubber gloves while making soap and have vinegar or lemon juice handy in case you get lye solution on your skin. Also use safety glasses. Do not get lye solution in your eyes or swallow it. Rinse utensils after being in lye solution. It is very important that all utensils used to make soap are not going to react with the lye. Use only glass, stainless steel, wood or plastic. Never use aluminum or iron.

Fat

In this recipe lard can be used for the fat since it was the traditional favorite, is readily available and gives one of the best textures. Many people interested in purchasing handmade soaps however will want them to be vegetarian, therefor, vegetable oils such as olive oil can be used also, but will make a softer bar of soap usually.

Molds

A mold can be made from a wooden box. Styrofoam works well also and will hold the soap at an even temperature for 24 hours. It should be about 30"x 3.5"x 2" deep for the following recipe. Line the mold with a piece of dampened cotton cloth or plastic (an opened garbage bag will work), trying to keep the cloth as smooth as possible avoiding wrinkles that will be set in the soap. Interesting shaped molds lined with petroleum jelly will also do. Another damp cloth will be needed to cover the soap after it is poured.

Equipment needed

• Large round bottomed bowl (8 Quarts)
• Small bowl (2 quarts)
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Wooden spoon (only to be used for soapmaking afterwards)
• Dairy Thermometer
• Household scales
• Mold (wooden box and cotton cloth)
• Electric mixer (make sure the blades are stainless steel)

Ingredients Needed

• 6 1/2 oz lye (found in grocery stores as drain cleaner- at least 94% sodium hydroxide- usually sold in 13 oz cans)
• 6 cups room temperature goat milk
• 4 teaspoons borax
• 2 cups oatmeal (run through the blender to refine)
• 2 pounds pork lard or vegetable oil- 85- 90 degrees F

Pour 6 1/2 oz lye (half the can) slowly into 6 cups goat milk, using a wooden spoon to stir. This solution will rise in temperature to about 115 degrees F, turn gold, smoke and very nasty fumes will rise. Avoid breathing these fumes Stir occasionally until the solution temperature drops to 85 degrees F. and lye crystals are dissolved.

Add 4 teaspoons borax and 2 cups oatmeal to the oil or fat, slowly, to avoid lumps.

Slowly mix in (on low speed if using electric hand mixer) the oil or fat (at 85 - 90 degrees F.) being careful not to splash. Rapid addition of fat to lye solution can cause separation. So can jerky, uneven stirring.

Continue to stir for 15 minutes, then stop and let mixture sit for 5 minutes. Stir again for 5 minutes, then let sit again for 5 minutes. Repeat this again, but watch carefully because soap will suddenly take shape. Take a spoonful of soap mix and holding it about 2 inches above the bowl drip it back onto the mass. If the ribbon stays separate and doesn't merge with the rest immediately the soap is ready to pour.

Pour into mold and smooth top before covering with the damp cloth.

Keep the soap covered for 24 hours, then cut into bars and let air cure for at least 3-4 weeks before using. The longer it sets the better it gets usually. Bars will shrink considerably while drying.

Remember. . .

1. Don't use aluminum
2. Always use exact weights, measures and temperatures.
3. Always add lye slowly
4. Rapid addition of fat to lye solution, or uneven stirring may cause separation.
5. Don't allow new soap to freeze
6. Safety in handling ingredients is Extremely! important.