Why We Make Our Own Liquid Castile-Style Soap

A Beloved Sisters Approach to Natural Cleansing

At Beloved Sisters, we believe that what you use on your skin matters just as much as what you put into your body. That belief is what led us to make our own liquid soap in-house—slowly, intentionally, and with full respect for traditional soapmaking methods.

Liquid Castile-style soap has long been valued for its simplicity, versatility, and gentle cleansing properties. While traditionally made with olive oil alone, we take a more holistic, ancestral approach—honoring time-tested techniques while choosing ingredients that align with how we live and care for our families today.

Making our own soap allows us to control every step of the process: the quality of the oils, the purity of the water, the care taken during saponification, and the final dilution that results in a mild, skin-friendly cleanser with no unnecessary fillers.

What Does “Lye-Free” Really Mean?

You may see liquid soaps described as “lye-free,” which can be confusing. The truth is: all true soap requires an alkali at some point in order for saponification—the chemical reaction that turns oils into soap—to occur.

What matters is the end result.

When soap is properly made and fully saponified, no active lye remains in the finished product. Our goal in making liquid soap is to carefully guide the process so that the alkali is completely used up, leaving behind a gentle, effective cleanser that is safe for daily use.

This is chemistry guided by patience—not shortcuts.

Why We Prefer Homemade Liquid Soap

Making liquid soap ourselves means:

• No synthetic detergents

• No artificial thickeners

• No hidden preservatives

• No mystery ingredients

Instead, we get a soap that:

• Cleans without stripping the skin

• Rinses clean

• Is gentle enough for hands, body, and home use

• Can be customized with botanicals and essential oils

This is slow soap. Purposeful soap. Soap made the way nature intended.

Beloved Sisters’ Educational Liquid Castile-Style Soap Recipe

(For learning and inspiration purposes)

This recipe reflects a traditional liquid soapmaking method, shared here for educational insight into how true liquid soap is made. Always follow proper safety practices when working with alkali.

Ingredients

• Olive oil (or other high-quality oils of your choice) - 47 oz

• Distilled water - 32.9 oz

• Potassium hydroxide (KOH) - 9.39 oz

• Additional distilled water for dilution (80 oz)

Equipment

• Slow cooker dedicated to soapmaking

• Stainless steel pot

• Accurate digital scale

• Immersion blender

• Heat-safe spoons

• Safety gloves and eye protection

• Storage containers

Overview of the Process

1. Warm the Oils Oils are gently heated in a slow cooker until fully liquid and warm.

2. Prepare the Alkali Solution Potassium hydroxide is slowly dissolved into distilled water, allowing the solution to cool slightly before use. WEAR GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION!!! If KOH is in contact with your skin, first treat the area by rinsing with vinegar and then water for 10-15 mins.  Contact with the eye can cause severe damage and even blindness so, it is great to keep an eyewash solution nearby in a squirt bottle (can be made of distilled water or a sterile saline solution)  Rinse infected eye out with the eyewash solution for at least 10 mins.  Have a phone nearby with the number to poison control center ready.

3. Saponification The alkali solution is carefully blended into the oils. Using an immersion blender, the mixture is stirred until it thickens into a paste—this stage requires patience and attention.

   

4. Cooking the Paste The soap paste is gently cooked over low heat, stirred periodically, and allowed to transform into a translucent, glossy consistency—an indication that saponification is complete.

5. Testing A small amount of paste is diluted in hot water to confirm clarity and readiness.

6. Dilution The finished paste is combined with hot distilled water and left to dissolve slowly overnight, creating a smooth liquid soap.

7. Rest & Finish Once fully diluted, the soap is ready to be bottled, scented if desired, or left unscented for sensitive skin.

A Note on Safety & Respect for the Process

Soapmaking is both an art and a science. Working with alkali requires care, respect, and focus. We believe this is one of the reasons homemade soap carries such value—it asks us to slow down, be present, and honor the transformation taking place.

The Beloved Sisters Difference

Our liquid soap reflects our values:

• Whole ingredients

• Traditional methods

• No shortcuts

• Respect for skin health

• Transparency in formulation

Whether used as a hand soap, body cleanser, or household staple, our Castile-style liquid soap is made with the same intention as everything we create—to nourish, not overwhelm.

Because when you know what goes into your soap, you can feel confident about what touches your skin.