Soapmaking can be a daunting process to begin! Mostly due to the lye but it can be quite safe and fun to do if done correctly. You do not need to purchase every soapmaking tool under the kitchen sink, either. No need to go broke!
Here are the very basics you will need:
- Plastic container with high density polyethylene (HDPE, recycling code #2) and polypropylene (PP, recycling code #5) are best for mixing your lye solution AS WELL as mixing your soap batter in. I have found several of these at the Dollar Tree!
- Distilled water
- 100% Sodium Hydroxide (It is cheapest on Amazon or you may find a good deal at your local hardware store)
- Oils - check your recipe for what you need. Many oils can be purchased at the grocery store or health food store.
- Silicone Spatula or two
- Eye safety Glasses
- Nitrile Gloves
- Emulsion Blender (I have found decent ones at the Goodwill or second-hand)
- Scale that measures in grams and ounces
- Mold - you can buy molds on Amazon, honestly the 42 ounce loaf molds are the best money-wise but you can buy any flexible silicone mold you'd like.
- Temp Gun
That's pretty much it for the very very basics to get started. A decent amount of these things can be found at the Dollar Tree, Walmart, Target, local hardware stores and on Amazon.