Once solid, carefully remove from the mold.
Melt-and-pour soaps can be used right away, but allowing them to sit for a couple of days can improve firmness.
Method 2: Cold Process Lemon Soap (For Experienced Soap Makers)
If you’d like to make soap from scratch, including working with lye, here’s an outline. Note: This process is more advanced and requires safety measures like gloves and goggles.
Measure Ingredients: Use a reliable soap calculator to determine the correct amount of lye, oils, and water. Typically, you might combine oils like olive, coconut, and shea butter with a lye-water solution.
Mix Lye Solution: Slowly add lye to water (never water to lye), stirring until dissolved. Cool to the recommended temperature.
Combine with Oils: Heat your chosen oils to a similar temperature as the lye solution. Carefully mix them together and blend with an immersion blender until “trace” (when the mixture thickens enough to leave a trail on the surface).
Add Lemon Essential Oil: Gently mix in the essential oil (and optional zest) at trace.
Pour into Mold: Cover and insulate the mold for 24–48 hours to complete the saponification process.
Cure: Unmold and let the soap cure for 4–6 weeks in a cool, dry place. Rotate occasionally for even drying.
Tips & Variations
Color: For a pastel yellow hue, consider adding a small amount of natural colorants (like turmeric or annatto powder).
Herbal Infusion: Blend dried herbs such as chamomile or rosemary for extra scent complexity.
Sensitive Skin: Use fewer drops of lemon essential oil and omit zest if prone to irritation.
Storage: Keep your homemade soap in a cool, dry spot. Prolonged exposure to heat or humidity can shorten shelf life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use fresh lemon juice in my soap?
