Day 2 - How to Master Cold Process Soap Making in 30 Days

WEEK 1: Foundation & Safety First

Objective: Understand the theory, get familiar with safety, and prep your space and tools.

• Day 2:

  ✅ Learn about lye (NaOH) — how it works, how to handle it safely.

  ✅ Read: Lye safety guide.

  ✅ Create a safety checklist (for you and future students).

What is Lye?

Objective: Understand what lye is, why it’s essential, and how to handle it.

What to learn:

• Lye = sodium hydroxide (NaOH). It’s a caustic alkali. It generally comes in a flake form

• Lye gets added to water and dissolved when making cold process soap

• When mixed with oils, it causes saponification, creating soap.

• Must NEVER be used without safety precautions.

Safety Rules:

• Always add lye to water (never the other way around).

• Wear gloves, goggles, and long sleeves.

• Use stainless steel, plastic, or silicone—never aluminium.

• Work in a well-ventilated space.

Tasks:

• Read: "Lye Safety 101" https://soapqueen.brambleberry.com/episodes/eAxEgX1FKe5

• or look at these videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVyCHzzvkr8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R68zaZHgBU

• Create a checklist: PPE(Personal Protective Equipment), safe workspace, lye mixing steps.