How Do You Test Handmade Soap Safety?

Handmade soap tends to be a more alkaline pH than regular store bought soap.  It is typically in the range of anywhere from 8-10. For this reason it is a good idea to test that it is not too alkaline which could be irritating to sensitive skin.

Traditionally people would "zap test" their soap. What does that mean? Well...as weird and gross as it may sound (and look) they would touch the soap to their tongue and if it gave them a "zap" (think electrocution) then it was not the correct pH.  Personally, I wouldn't want anyone "licking" my soap...not even my cat, LOL.  So I use pH test strips as shown in this picture.

From this picture you can see that my recently made batch of handmade soap is registering at about a pH level of 8. Distilled water which is neutral is at 7. It is apparently very difficult to have a handmade soap at the neutral pH of 7 though many have tried.

Since handmade soap is typically more alkaline, it is not recommended for use in the hair which has a more acidic make up for the scalp. If you do use handmade soap in your hair you should really use an apple cider vinegar rinse afterwards to balance out the pH.  I am still looking to see if there is a way to made a shampoo soap (that does not use the detergents and surfactants that some recipes use) which is more acidic so that it can be used on the hair and that doesn't require you to have to use an vinegar rinse afterwards. Here's to still trying....:)