DIY soap that saves lives (and smells amazing) 🧪✨

Hey 👋,

Let’s get real. No one wants to be the smelly prepper in the apocalypse. But this isn’t just about smelling nice—soap keeps you alive. Without it, infections spread, diseases take over, and your survival odds shrink fast.

The good news? You don’t need a fancy store to get clean. You can make your own soap—yes, you—with just a few ingredients. And guess what? It’s fun, practical, and feels a little like being a mad scientist. Let’s dive in!

What’s So Special About DIY Soap?

Why should you make soap when you can buy it? Easy:

• It’s prepper-proof: You’ll never run out.

• No weird chemicals: Control what goes in (and on) your skin.

• Cheap and cheerful: Use what you’ve got.

🛠 Gear Up for Soapmaking

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients:

• Fats: Lard, tallow, coconut oil, or olive oil.

• Lye: That scary-sounding stuff from the hardware store.

• Water: Distilled is best (tap works in a pinch).

• Optional extras: Essential oils for scent, or herbs if you’re feeling fancy.

Tools:

• Safety gear: Gloves, goggles, long sleeves (because lye is spicy).

• Stick blender: Mix like a pro.

Molds: Silicone molds, or get scrappy and use a shoebox lined with parchment paper.

🧪 How to Make Your Soap (Bear-Style)

This isn’t rocket science—just follow these steps:

1. Suit Up!

Put on your safety gear. Lye is like a feral cat: it’s useful but can scratch if you’re careless. Work in a well-ventilated spot.

2. Make the Magic Lye Water

• Slowly (and I mean slowly) add lye to water—not the other way around!

• Stir until dissolved. It’ll heat up faster than a campfire. Let it cool to 100°F.

🛑 Bear Tip: Always add lye to water, not water to lye, or you’ll get a volcano.

3. Melt Your Fats

• Heat your fats until they’re all melted together like a good stew.

• Cool to 100°F, same as your lye water.

4. Combine and Blend

• Pour the lye water into the melted fats (slow and steady, folks).

• Use your stick blender to mix until it looks like pudding. This is called “trace.”

5. Customize It

• Toss in some tea tree oil for an antimicrobial kick or lavender for a soothing scent.

6. Mold and Wait

• Pour the mix into your molds. Cover and let it set for 24-48 hours.

• Unmold your soap, then let it cure for 4-6 weeks. (Yeah, patience is part of the process.)

Pro Tips to Make It Yours 🐻

• Go rustic: Animal fat (like bacon grease) works great and feels very “Little House on the Prairie.”

• Camouflage clean: Skip strong scents if you’re in stealth mode—no need to smell like lavender when hiding from bears or looters.

• Recycle scraps: Got leftover soap bits? Melt them down to make a Franken-bar!

Soap: It’s More Than Suds

Your soap isn’t just for scrubbing. It’s a multitasking survival tool:

• Pest repellent: Rub soap shavings on wood to keep bugs away.

• Quick fix: Plug small leaks with soft soap.

• Lubrication: Help stuck zippers or tools glide smoothly.

Wrap-Up

Making your own soap isn’t just smart—it’s empowering. You’re turning raw materials into a life-saving essential. That’s prepping at its finest. So roll up your sleeves, channel your inner pioneer, and make some soap.

“Clean hands, clear mind, can’t lose.”

Stay prepared and stay safe,
Conrad “Bear” Becker

P.S. What’s your favorite DIY prep? Soap, candles, or something else? Hit reply—I’d love to know!