We make cold process soap because our family is sensitive to artificial ingredients. We can buy soap at $3.00 to $5.00 (or more) for a small bar, or we can make a bunch of it fairly cheaply.
Disclaimer:
To make cold-process lye soap, you need to use lye. Lye is about as caustic as battery acid. If you get it on your skin, it can burn you. If you get it in your eyes, it can blind you.
When you mix the lye with water, it can get very hot. You will have a hot caustic liquid.
When you mix lye with water, you will get caustic fumes. It will burn your lungs when you breathe it. Use proper ventilation.
Raw soap is caustic. It looks like pudding. Don't let your kids make that mistake!Mix the soap in a glass or glazed (nonporous) ceramic container. Use a stainless steel or plastic spoon.
If the lye touches aluminum, it will eat it and produce hydrogen gas. This is the same stuff that blew up the Hindenburg and the Challenger.
Scared away yet? Lye soap is great stuff if you are sensitive to artificial fragrances, colors, and detergents. You must use caution when making it, however. I created the above disclaimer so that nobody can claim that I encouraged them to create lye soap without first cautioning them.
We have made several batches of lye soap without any problems. That is partially because we did some research first, and partially because we are naturally cautious and careful.
By going to the instructions page, you agree to use care when mixing the soap, to properly research any questionable areas, and to hold me harmless should you damage yourself or anyone else.