Can I make soap without using lye?

Here is the answer to your next soap making question:

Lye is also known as Caustic Soda, it's chemical name is Sodium Hydroxide. It is the normal alkali used for making hard soaps.

Unfortunately you can't make soap from scratch without lye, the basis of soap making involves the chemical reaction between an alkali solution and oils or fats, the chemical reaction is called saponification and it is the only way to make soap from the basic ingredients.

However all is not lost, you can in fact make soap without actually having to deal with lye yourself, this is known as the Melt and Pour method, this method isn't really soap making in its truest sense, because it utilizes soap base that was previously made using lye. However, if all you wish to do is avoid using lye, then this solution is ideal.

The Melt and Pour process is described in detail during the All About Soap Making free online course.

More soon.

Is there a trick to unmold soap without breaking any parts?

Here is the answer to your next soap making question:

I have found that a short time in a freezer usually makes the soap bar sufficiently firm to be able to unmold easily. When I have made a batch in bread tins I have needed to leave them in the freezer for 1-2 hours, but with individual molds the time may be as short as 15 minutes, it's really a matter of trial and error, but it should only take a little practice.

More soon.