Cold process soap making is an ancient art that has been used for centuries to create beautiful and effective soap bars. The process involves combining oils, lye, and water to create a chemical reaction called saponification, which turns the ingredients into soap. (Saponification has its own blog post coming soon!) While our bars have varying recipes, they all follow the same steps for creation. Here’s a closer look at how cold process soap is made:
Step 1: Gather Ingredients and Supplies
The first step in making cold process soap is to gather all the necessary ingredients and supplies. This includes oils, lye, water, a scale, a thermometer, a mixing bowl, a stick blender, soap molds, and any additives. It’s important to measure all the ingredients precisely, as the exact amount of lye and water needed will depend on the oils used.
Step 2: Prepare the Fats and Oils
Next, the fats and oils are measured and combined in a mixing bowl. This can include a variety of fats and oils such as lard, olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, depending on the desired properties of the soap. The oils are then heated gently to melt any solid fats and/or oils and to ensure they the are the correct temperature for mixing with the lye solution.
Step 3: Prepare the Lye Solution
While the oils are melting, the lye solution is prepared. Lye is a caustic substance that can be dangerous if not handled properly, so it’s important to wear gloves and protective eyewear and perform this step in a well ventilated space. For added safety, we wear half-face HEPA masks while mixing. The lye is slowly added to the water, never the other way around, while stirring constantly to prevent the solution from overheating.
Step 4: Combine the Oils and Lye Solution
Once the lye solution and oils are both at the correct temperature, they are combined in the mixing bowl. A stick blender is used to mix the ingredients together until they reach a thick, pudding-like consistency called “trace”. This is the point where the chemical reaction of saponification begins.
Step 5: Pour into Molds
Once the soap has reached trace, it is poured into soap molds. Our mold are silicone and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The soap is the left to sit for 24 to 48 hours, depending on the recipe.
Step 6: Cure the Soap
Once the 24 to 48 hours are up, the soap is remove from the molds and cut into bars. The bars are then left to cure for five weeks, during which time excess water evaporates and the soap becomes harder and milder. Once fully cured, the soap is ready to use and enjoy.
Cold process soap making is a time-honored method that produces high-quality, artisanal soap bars. Not only is it a fun and rewarding craft, but it allows for complete control over the ingredients used and the final product. This allows us to make soap that we know you’ll love.
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