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How Our Soap Is Made
COLD PROCESS
SOAP
A cold-process soapmaker takes the saponification values of the fats being used
and uses them to calculate the appropriate amount of lye to use in the soap
recipe. Accuracy is of the very importance when making soap, especially
cold process. Too much lye can burn the skin, too little and the oils will not be
completely saponified.
How it is mixed? The lye is dissolved in water. The oils are
melted if need be. Once both the oils and lye mixture have cooled to
approximately 100-110F, they are combined. This lye-fat mixture is blended together with a use of a stick blender or as the old was it was stirred
until "trace" occurs. "Trace" is essentially the viscosity
of the soap. It should be anywhere from a thin cake batter to a pudding type
consistency.
Once trace occurs, fragrance (essential oils or fragrance oils), botanicals,
herbs, colorants or other additives are added at light trace. The batch is then
poured into molds, kept warm with towels, or blankets, and left to continue
saponification for 18 to 48 hours. Sometime during this time the soap will go
through a "gel phase" where the opaque soap will turn somewhat
transparent for several hours, before once again turning opaque. The soap will
be warm for several hours while the saponification process is taking place.
After the insulation period the soap is firm enough to be removed from the mold
and cut into bars. At this time, it is safe to use the soap since
saponification is complete. However, cold-process soaps are typically cured and
hardened on a drying rack for 2-6 weeks (depending on initial water content)
before use. If using caustic soda it is recommended that the soap is left to
cure for at least four weeks. If used right away the higher water content will
make the soap dissolve much faster.
Cold process is very similar to the hot process, except that the mixture is not
heated after trace. In our experience, cold process produces a soap that smooth
and uniform in texture and is softer on skin
HOT PROCESS
SOAP
Hot process soap can be done in the oven, stovetop or the crockpot. Although
the first step are essentially the same as cold process. In making a regular
batch of hot process soap the oil and lye are combined, mixed till trace and
then cooked on the stove, crockpot or in the oven until thick and semi
translucent, then combined with additives, fragrances and colorant. It is then
scooped into molds and left to cool. After about 12-24 hrs the soap is ready to
cut and use. One disadvantage to this method is the consistency and texture of
the soap produced. It can sometimes be rather lumpy looking or contains trapped
air bubbles.
Hot process
soap can take as less than 2 weeks to become ready for use. Don't
misunderstand, the soap in hot process is safe to use immediately after it is
unmolded. It is sometimes cured for a week or more to get rid of the extra
water in the soap. This is because the heat applied during the process works to
accelerate saponification. The result is that the lye and oils combine to
create soap molecules faster than they do without the application of heat.
A major disadvantages of hot process is that it is the most difficult to produce
correctly. You need to be well educated in soapmkaing, the process, and
identifying the different stages of saponification. Waited to long to put in
molds, it may become a gloppy mess full of air bubbles. MELT N POUR GLYCERIN (Pre Made Soap Bases)
I do not offer melt and pour soap to my customers. Melt n Pour soap is not a "true" soap in the the definitive sense.
Glycerin is actually a by-product of the soapmaking process. It is then
combined with surfacants to produce a soap base. Melt and Pour Soap
Crafting is a process often used by soapmakers. The process differs from
the cold process or hot process in that no soap is made, no actual
saponification occurs.
Glycerin soapmaking does not give the soaper complete control over the
base soap ingredients (i.e., the choice of fats and oils to use). Most
soaps do not melt readily once they have saponified; the exceptions are
clear glycerin soaps, and white soap made from white coconut oil. Melt
and pour bases are typically manufactured from these types of soap.
However, this process allows the soapmaker to concentrate more on the
aesthetic aspects of soap making.
Since glycerin soaps are produce from all ready existing soap base.
These are improved on by adding ingredients, colors and scents. The
glycerin soap can be easily molded into interesting and creative shapes
and be made into an endless variety of designs. Essential oils, shea and
other exotic butters, oatmeal, flower petals and other creative
additives make these soaps unique. I myself have made these types of soaps in the past but have found that some of these bases can be very drying to my skin and I can always tell the difference between the "real" soap and the handmade soap. This is a great way for beginners to learn how to make soap. It i easy to melt and and your colors and ingredients to the soap and pour into molds and they are ready within minutes. I have to say that I have found many many melt and pour artist with some fantastic melt and pour glycerin soaps but for me, appearance is one thing, it is how well they work on your skin and I have found that melt and pour soaps are not good for my skin but they smell good and look fantastic.
All versions of hot process require little to no curing time, as much of the
water is evaporated during the "cook".
I have used all of the above soapmaking methods through our soap making years.
It is generally a personal preference as to what method the soapmaker likes best and although I like using the cold process soap making methed better as the soap has a much smoother appearance then hot process, I enjoy doing both ways depending on my mood and what type of soap I am making. ~Michelle
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