3. Use a heat-proof container to measure the amount of cold water (70 to 75 degrees F) specified in the recipe. Cold water is important. Warning adding lye to hot water could "boil-up" out of the container. Stir the water and slowly add the lye. The water will get hot and turn cloudy. Continue to stir until the lye dissolves.

(Note: Some people are extremely sensitive to fumes which come from the lye/water. Be aware than larger amounts of lye with prolonged contact, can burn eyes and skin of sensitive people.)

4. When both the fat and the lye/water reach the temperature specified in the recipe, add the lye/water to the fat. Never place lye/water in a microwave. It takes lye/water longer to cool than it takes fat to heat. Most soapmakers wait for the lye/water to cool to about five degrees above the desired temperature, then heat the fat. Slowly pour the lye/water into the fats while stirring.

5. Stir the soap until it "traces." When lye, water and fat first combine, the mixture is thin and watery. Gradually, as the lye and fat react chemically to form soap, the mixture thickens and turns opaque. "Tracing" is a term to describe the consistency (thickness) of soap when it's ready to pour into molds.

6. After the soap traces, add up to one tablespoon essential oil (optional) and stir a few minutes longer to incorporate the oil. Essentials oils are necessary for a pleasant-smelling product.

7. Pour the soap into molds.

8. Unmold the soap. Soap is still harsh when it's time to remove it from the molds. Put on rubber gloves and press the back of each mold compartment to release the soap.

9. Wait the time specified in a recipe for the soap to age. During the aging time the pH of the soap decreased and the hardens.