The Cold Process is another method of soap making which does not require an external heat source to begin saponification, or in other words, the chemical reaction that creates soap. It is the process of making soap from scratch with distilled water, lye, and fats and is considered to be the purest and most basic form of soap. It can be formulated to hold essential oils for conditioners and extra fragrances, which is known as superfatting.
Whether you use the hot process or cold process to make soap, the one common requirement you will need is a good quality oil. At first, the best oils to use were in the form of animal fats, such as, lard or tallow, but now with the rise of vegetarianism and the use of more non animal based products, the more popular oils are vegetable oils. The favorites among soap makers being olive oil, palm and coconut oil. Keep reading for an extended list of more oils you can use.
One important necessity when using the cold process to make soap is a lye calculator. It's with this tool that you will be able to determine the exact quantity of lye that is required for any given amount of fat. Just keep in mind that lye can be a very dangerous chemical so it's important to read the instructions and warnings on the back of the container.
To prevent from having the lye becoming to hot to handle you can either:
1. Use cold water
2. Mix the lye solution and let it settle overnight
With option 2 you will have to reheat the lye solution because the lye and fats need to be the same temperature at about 100 F. Now to combine the solution with the fats.
Is there an alternative to using only water to dissolve the lye you ask? The answer is absolutely! Below is a list of other options you have to create unique soaps that you can sell or just give away as sensational gifts:
1. Soy or Goats Milk
2. Infused Herbs
3. Vegetable Juices
4. Fruit Juice
Adding an additional 10% of oil to the solution can prevent from any extra lye remaining in the soap. After about a month, the lye will have already combined with the oils and the final result would be a great quality batch of homemade soap. With the soap at this finished state, the soap no longer will contain lye since the oils have already been saponified.
Here's a list of commonly used oils for soap making. The first two are the most widely used. 3 through 6 are the best to use:
1. Coconut
2. Palm Oils
3. Olive Oil
4. Almond Oil
5. Canola Oil
6. All Sesame Oils
Making your own natural soap as opposed to using commercially made soap has it's benefits. Handmade or homemade soap is better for the skin, assuming you use natural ingredients and is a lot more versatile meaning you wouldn't need shampoo to wash your hair, you can simply use the soap to perform the same task.
The adding of natural ingredients like fruit juices, vegetable juices, and natural herbs is what makes your soaps more unique and better quality. Using ingredients like these results in the formation of natural glycerin being formed in the cold process that is extremely less drying to the skin. It's for reasons like this that using homemade and hand crafted soaps with natural elements that will leave your skin feeling soft and looking healthy.
The dangers of handling lye is what has caused most soap makers to frown upon the cold process method. Now its is true that lye can be an extremely dangerous chemical, but taken the right precautions minimize the risk and resulting in unique and decorative soaps that you can be proud of.
Whether you use the hot process or cold process to make soap, the one common requirement you will need is a good quality oil. At first, the best oils to use were in the form of animal fats, such as, lard or tallow, but now with the rise of vegetarianism and the use of more non animal based products, the more popular oils are vegetable oils. The favorites among soap makers being olive oil, palm and coconut oil. Keep reading for an extended list of more oils you can use.
One important necessity when using the cold process to make soap is a lye calculator. It's with this tool that you will be able to determine the exact quantity of lye that is required for any given amount of fat. Just keep in mind that lye can be a very dangerous chemical so it's important to read the instructions and warnings on the back of the container.
To prevent from having the lye becoming to hot to handle you can either:
1. Use cold water
2. Mix the lye solution and let it settle overnight
With option 2 you will have to reheat the lye solution because the lye and fats need to be the same temperature at about 100 F. Now to combine the solution with the fats.
Is there an alternative to using only water to dissolve the lye you ask? The answer is absolutely! Below is a list of other options you have to create unique soaps that you can sell or just give away as sensational gifts:
1. Soy or Goats Milk
2. Infused Herbs
3. Vegetable Juices
4. Fruit Juice
Adding an additional 10% of oil to the solution can prevent from any extra lye remaining in the soap. After about a month, the lye will have already combined with the oils and the final result would be a great quality batch of homemade soap. With the soap at this finished state, the soap no longer will contain lye since the oils have already been saponified.
Here's a list of commonly used oils for soap making. The first two are the most widely used. 3 through 6 are the best to use:
1. Coconut
2. Palm Oils
3. Olive Oil
4. Almond Oil
5. Canola Oil
6. All Sesame Oils
Making your own natural soap as opposed to using commercially made soap has it's benefits. Handmade or homemade soap is better for the skin, assuming you use natural ingredients and is a lot more versatile meaning you wouldn't need shampoo to wash your hair, you can simply use the soap to perform the same task.
The adding of natural ingredients like fruit juices, vegetable juices, and natural herbs is what makes your soaps more unique and better quality. Using ingredients like these results in the formation of natural glycerin being formed in the cold process that is extremely less drying to the skin. It's for reasons like this that using homemade and hand crafted soaps with natural elements that will leave your skin feeling soft and looking healthy.
The dangers of handling lye is what has caused most soap makers to frown upon the cold process method. Now its is true that lye can be an extremely dangerous chemical, but taken the right precautions minimize the risk and resulting in unique and decorative soaps that you can be proud of.
About the Author:
Want to find out how Dawn Washelski uses the cold process and other methods to make soap? Find more articles along with step-by-step videos to help you create your own homemade soap
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