Over the years, I’ve created many cold process soap recipes. Some turned out too soft, others too hard, and a few didn’t hold up well in the shower. After plenty of experimenting, I always found myself going back to a few dependable favorites.

These are the 5 basic cold process soap recipes I use most often. They produce reliable, long-lasting bars with beautiful lather and balanced hardness.

I’ve included two batch sizes that will give you approximately 15 or 30 bars of soap, depending on the recipe.

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A Note About Using Canola Oil in Soap

Many soap makers substitute canola oil for olive oil because it’s less expensive. You can do this — but be cautious.

If your recipe contains more than 70% canola oil, your bars may:

• Be too soft

• Not last as long in the shower

• Develop dreaded orange spots (DOS) over time

For best results, keep canola oil under 70% of your total oils.

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Recipe #1 – My Most Used Soap Recipe (30 Bars)

This is my go-to recipe. It produces a hard, long-lasting bar that holds up beautifully in the shower. It has just enough coconut oil to create a rich lather — even in hard water.

Ingredients:

• 1800 g Olive Oil
• 450 g Coconut Oil
• 300 g Palm Kernel Oil
• 250 g Palm Oil
• 250 g Grapeseed Oil
• 420 g Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
• 4.5 cups (1085 g) Water

Yield: Approximately 30 bars

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Recipe #2 – Gentle Baby Soap Recipe (15 Bars)

I use this recipe for baby soap and sensitive skin bars. It has a high olive oil content for mildness, plus calendula and almond oil for added skin benefits.

Ingredients:

• 850 g Olive Oil
• 250 g Coconut Oil
• 200 g Palm Oil
• 100 g Almond Oil
• 90 g Calendula Oil
• 25 g Grapeseed Oil
• 215 g Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
• 2–2.25 cups (500 g) Water

Yield: Approximately 15 bars

If you’re creating a full baby skincare set, this bar pairs beautifully with my homemade Baby Lotion Recipe and natural Baby Powder Recipe for sensitive skin.

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Recipe #3 – Traditional Castile Soap (100% Olive Oil)

This is a classic Castile soap recipe made with 100% olive oil.

Castile soap bars are:

• Extremely mild
• Gentle on sensitive skin
• Low-lather
• Long curing (allow extra cure time for hardness)

Ingredients:

• 1500 g Olive Oil
• 188 g Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
• 2 cups (434 g) Water

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Recipe #4 – Hard & Bubbly Bar (High Lather Recipe)

This recipe creates a harder bar with extra cleansing power and lots of bubbles.

Ingredients:

• 1800 g Olive Oil
• 625 g Coconut Oil
• 625 g Palm Oil
• 420 g Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
• 4 cups (920 g) Water

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Recipe #5 – Balanced Conditioning Bar

This recipe creates a balanced bar with good hardness, conditioning, and lather.

Ingredients:

• 1134 g Palm Oil
• 907 g Olive Oil
• 794 g Coconut Oil
• 100 g Grapeseed Oil
• 85 g Almond Oil
• 427 g Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
• 4.8 cups (1125 g) Water

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Basic Cold Process Soap Making Instructions

If you’re new to soap making, here’s a simple step-by-step overview.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Gather all ingredients and equipment before starting:

• Safety goggles
• Gloves
• Apron
• Stainless steel pot
• Scale
• Stick blender
• Soap mold

Not sure what tools you need? Here’s my complete Soap Making Equipment Guide with everything I personally use in my soap room.

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Step 2: Mix Lye Solution

1. Put on protective gear.
2. Measure your water into a heat-safe container.
3. Measure your lye separately.
4. Slowly add lye to water (never water to lye).
5. Stir until fully dissolved.

⚠️ This must be done in a well-ventilated area.
The mixture will heat to approximately 180°F. Set aside to cool.

If you’re new to working with lye, I highly recommend reading my detailed Lye Safety Guide for Soap Making before getting started.

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Step 3: Heat the Oils

1. Weigh oils using a scale.
2. Heat gently to about 130°F.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool to about 100°F.

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Step 4: Combine & Mix

When both the oils and lye solution are around 100°F:

1. Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils.
2. Use a stick blender to mix.
3. Blend until trace (the mixture thickens and leaves a visible line when drizzled).

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Step 5: Add Fragrance & Color

Once trace is reached:

• Add essential oils or fragrance oils
• Add natural colorants if desired
• Stir thoroughly

Before adding essential oils, make sure you’re using safe usage rates and skin-safe oils. I always recommend reviewing my Essential Oils Safety Guide for Soap Making before formulating your blend.

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Step 6: Mold & Cure

1. Pour into lined molds.
2. Cover and insulate (wrap with a blanket).
3. Let sit 24–48 hours.
4. Remove from mold and cut.
5. Cure for 4–6 weeks before use.

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Final Thoughts on These Basic Soap Recipes

These recipes have stood the test of time in my soap room. Whether you’re making soap for family, gifting, or selling, having a few reliable base recipes makes everything easier.

You can customize any of these with:

• Essential oils
• Natural clays
• Botanicals
• Swirls and color designs

Once you master the basics, the creative possibilities are endless.

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Important Note:
This information is for educational purposes only.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Updated Feb 2026

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