Method (Steps 1,2,3)

1. Read through all the steps carefully. Then select a basic soap recipe. Cover a large, flat counter top or table and the surrounding floor with several layers of newspapers. Assemble your equipment and ingredients, and make sure that all the equipment meets the requirements described in Chapter One.

2. Reread the safety precautions in Chapter Three. Then put on your gloves and safety glasses!

3. Weigh the required amount of lye into one of the pitchers. To do this, use either of the following methods:

Method #1 Place the empty pitcher on the scale and set the scale at zero. Then use the pitcher as a weighing container. If you've set the scale correctly, it will register the weight of the lye but not the weight of the pitcher.

Method #2 Set the scale at zero and weigh the pitcher. Then calculate the weight of the pitcher plus the weight of the required lye. Add lye to the pitcher until you reach this total weight.

Set the pitcher of lye aside.