Intermediate
DIY Recipe
How to Make Tallow Soap with Beef Tallow
A intermediate DIY recipe that takes 2 hours + 4-6 weeks cure. Make your own natural tallow soap at home.
Time
2 hours + 4-6 weeks cure
Difficulty
intermediate
Shelf Life
2+ years
Ratio
16 oz tallow : 2.1 oz lye : 6 oz water
Why Make Tallow Soap with Tallow?
hard long-lasting bar
creamy lather
gentle on skin
traditional method
Ingredients
- beef tallow
- lye (sodium hydroxide)
- distilled water
- essential oils (optional)
Equipment
- digital scale
- stick blender
- soap mold
- safety goggles
- rubber gloves
- stainless steel pot
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Put on safety goggles and rubber gloves - lye is caustic
2
Weigh 6 oz distilled water in a heat-safe container
3
Slowly add 2.1 oz lye to water (never water to lye), stirring until dissolved
4
Set lye solution aside to cool to about 100-110°F
5
Melt 16 oz beef tallow and cool to 100-110°F
6
Slowly pour lye solution into tallow while stick blending
7
Blend until mixture reaches 'trace' (pudding-like consistency)
8
Add essential oils at trace if desired (about 1 oz)
9
Pour into mold and cover with towel
10
Unmold after 24-48 hours, cut into bars
11
Cure bars on rack for 4-6 weeks before use
Pro Tips
- Always run your recipe through a lye calculator
- Temperature matching is key for smooth soap
- Trace can take 2-15 minutes depending on temperature
- Longer cure = harder, milder, longer-lasting bar
Recipe Variations
Oatmeal exfoliating soap
Charcoal detox soap
Honey & milk soap
Pine tar soap
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does homemade tallow tallow soap last? ▼
Properly made tallow tallow soap has a shelf life of 2+ years. Store in a cool, dark place for best results.
Is it difficult to make tallow soap with tallow? ▼
This recipe is rated intermediate and takes approximately 2 hours + 4-6 weeks cure. Some experience helpful but not required.
What are the benefits of using tallow for tallow soap? ▼
hard long-lasting bar. creamy lather. gentle on skin. traditional method.