Sharing is Caring...
If you have been wanting a tallow soap recipe that feels amazing and nourishing, detoxifies AND is made in a small batch, this is the recipe for you.
Tallow cold process soap is wonderfully easy to make and adding tallow makes a hard bar that lasts for a while.
Sometimes I want to make a soap bar that doesn’t end up with 12 bars of soap. I love to experiment with new recipes and add ins but how can you do that when you already have a life time supply of soap (beyond forcing all of your friends and family to take it. lol)
Small batch soap is the answer so let’s get into it!
Please note this blog is reader supported and may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support. To read more, click here.
I am not a medical professional and you should always consult one before changing a skin care routine. Always do a patch test before you start using a new product. To learn more, click here.
This post is all about a small batch tallow soap recipe.
Table of Contents
Materials you need for this soap recipe
Even though this is a small batch of soap, you still need all of the same materials as for normal soap making. This is good news because you can use them over and over again. Here are the materials you absolutely need:
- Kitchen scale: You need to be precise when making soap. Even a few grams off can alter the superfat levels (amount of oils left over in your soap after saponification) and lead to a harsh or dangerous bar of soap. I have a cheapie scale that I have linked and it works beautifully.
- Immersion blender: You technically can mix this soap by hand but be prepared to do it for upwards of 10 minutes. When you start to get into bigger batches of soap, you will need one. My immersion blender comes with a food processor attachment and a few others so it has been worth the investment!
- Heat safe containers: I use stainless steel for the lye and water portion and I use small glass containers with a locking lid to transport the lye outside for mixing.
- Soap mold: Since this is a small batch, you can use a rectangular soap mold.
- Double boiler: I use a pan with a bit of water that is slightly smaller than my heat proof bowl.
- Gloves: To keep your skin safe when working with lye.
- Eye protection: To protect your eyes in the event of splashing. This can be safety glasses, sunglasses or regular glasses. Use what you have!
Lye Safety
I totally get that working with lye can be intimidating. When I first started with soap making, I was unsure of myself and I worried I might get a burn. Luckily I learned the proper precautions and you can too! Let’s go over some basics:
- Always wear eye protection. You do not want to risk blindness.
- Always wear gloves to protect your hands. I use medical gloves but you can use garden gloves or kitchen gloves. You just want something covering your hands.
- Always wear long sleeve shirts and long pants with socks and shoes. This will protect your body in the event of any splashes (which shouldn’t happen with proper care.)
- When you are mixing the lye and the water, work in a well ventilated area such as outside. There will be fumes that are not good to inhale.
- Always pour the lye into the water, working in small amounts, NEVER the other way around.
Watch the video down below to see these safety tips in action.
✅ Ingredients:
🧴 Oils (by weight):
5.25 oz (50 grams) tallow
💧 Water & Lye:
2.70 oz (30 grams) distilled water
1.35 oz (14 grams) sodium hydroxide (Lye)
→ for a 5% superfat
🌿 Add-ins:
1 ½ tsp bentonite clay (or other clay — pre-mix in a little water or oil) The clay is totally optional!
15–20 drops peppermint essential oil
Optional: 3–5 drops rosemary or tea tree EO
New to making your own tallow?
⚙️ Instructions:
Safety first: Wear gloves, goggles, and work in a well-ventilated area.
Prepare lye solution:
Slowly add lye into water (never the reverse). Stir until fully dissolved and set aside to cool to 100–110°F. If you do not have a thermometer, wait until the bowl is not hot to the touch. Never put your finger in the lye solution to test temperature.Melt oils:
Gently melt tallow and coconut oil, then stir in olive and castor oil. Cool to 100–110°F to match the lye solution.Add clay and essential oils:
Pre-mix the clay in a splash of oil or water to prevent clumps. Add to your oils and stir well. Add essential oils now, or after reaching trace if you prefer.Combine lye and oils:
Slowly pour lye solution into oils. Use a stick blender to bring the mixture to light-to-medium trace (pudding-like texture).Pour into mold:
Divide into 2 or 3 bar molds.Insulate and cure:
Let sit for 24–48 hours, then unmold and cure in a well-ventilated space for 4–6 weeks.
If you like this recipe, you will LOVE...
My brand new tallow skin care recipes eBook! It is out now and features 28 + tallow skin care recipes for your whole body including hair, nails and skin. To learn more, click here.
Other posts you may enjoy…