[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”60″ bottom_padding=”60″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]Cold process soap making is one of the methods you can use to make your soap and it is the method I use most often.
Although the various ingredients in your soap are much easier to obtain these days – we no longer have to save and process the ashes from our wood fires to make lye or render our own animal fats, we just make a quick trip to the local supermarket – the method for actually making the soap is basically the same as that used by our ancestors.
Soap is made by combining fats and oils with lye (caustic soda or sodium hydroxide), your soap is created as the lye reacts with the fats and oils in a chemical process known as saponification.
Cold Process Soap Making Instructions
The first step in cold process soap making is to prepare your work area. You will need access to a heat source, and bench space in a well-ventilated area.
Clear the work area of anything that is not necessary for your soap-making process and cover the benchtop with a heavy-duty plastic sheet. You will be handling caustic soda and believe me, you do not want to spill that on your nice kitchen bench!
Make sure you have your safety equipment to hand, as well as your measuring tools, soapmaking equipment, soap molds, your ingredients, and your recipe.
When you have everything to hand you are ready to start making your cold process soap-making!
Step One:
Put on your safety glasses, rubber gloves, an apron, and make sure you have the windows open.
Step Two:
Measure out all of your ingredients being careful not to mix them during the measuring process.
Step Three:
Place the water into a glass, stainless steel, or enamel bowl.
I usually set to bowl down in one side of my stainless steel double sink in the kitchen. That helps to prevent spills and the sink is directly below the kitchen window so there is very good ventilation.
Stir your water as you SLOWLY add your caustic soda. NEVER add the water to the caustic soda, as this can cause a rather radical volcano-like reaction from the soda!
Continue stirring your mixture until all of the caustic soda has dissolved. By now the mixture will be very hot, leave it in a safe place to cool.
Step Four:
Place all of your solid fats and oil into a large saucepan or stockpot and turn up the heat.
Do not overheat the fats and oils, you only want to get the temperature high enough to melt the solid blocks.
Once melted add your liquid oils to the mixture and stir gently to mix. Once well mixed, turn off the heat and allow your fat mixture to cool slightly.
Step Five:
Time to combine your ingredients to make your soap!
Make sure that you have everything you need close to hand. Measure out the additives, fragrances, and colours you intend to add to your soap mixture and have all of your utensils at hand.
When the temperature of the fats and the caustic soda-water mixture has reached the desired point (both need to be about 95 – 100% Fahrenheit), slowly add the caustic soda-water mixture to your fats. Slowly stir so that the caustic soda and water mixes with the fats. Your fat/oil mixture will become cloudy almost immediately.
When you have added all of the caustic soda-water mixture, put the bowl safely to one side and continue stirring your soap mixture.
Continue to stir the mixture until the mixture begins to ‘trace’. This basically means that your mixing creates a pattern in the soap mixture, it actually looks very similar to whipped cream or stiffened egg whites!
If you are stirring by hand, getting to trace may take an hour or more, but if you use a hand or stick blender it will only take a minute or so.
Step Six:
Once the mixture has reached trace and begun to thicken you can add your fragrances and colors to the mixture, while to stirring gently to mix.
Step Seven:
Pour your thickened soap mixture into the mold or molds that you have prepared.
If the top of the soap is uneven, use a rubber spatula to smooth the top. It is also a good idea to pick the mold up and gently tap it on the countertop to dislodge any air bubbles that may have been trapped.
Step Eight:
Set the soap in a warm, safe place to set up and begin curing.
After about twenty-four hours you will be able to turn the soap out of the mold and if necessary cut it into individual bars. Although you have finished your cold process soap making, don’t rush off to the shower with your soap yet, you will need to store it in a clean, dry, well-ventilated place for at least three weeks before it can be used![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
