There is, however, a risk in making your own soap. That risk is the use of lye, or sodium hydroxide. ... Lye can cause serious damage to your skin and eyes if it splashes during the soapmaking process. It's harmful if inhaled and is fatal if swallowed.

What is the main safety concern when making soap?

Protective gear: Making soap from scratch requires additional gear to avoid chemical burns. Wear long sleeves and gloves which don't allow skin to show on the arm or wrist. Eye protection such as safety glasses or goggles keeps errant drops of lye water from damaging your vision.

What is the safest way to make soap?

The main way that you can make soap without handling lye is by using melt-and-pour soap. It's already been through saponification (oils reacting with lye) and is safe to use and handle straight out of the package. All you do with it is melt it, add your scent, color, and other additives, then pour it into molds.