Cold Process Method
This method of soap making involves making soap completely from scratch using the traditional method that our grandparents used. It is the most technical and takes the longest, but can create some of the best soap at an affordable price.
The cold process of soap making involves mixing a combination of fats (natural oils) with a sodium hydroxide/water solution until a process of saponification takes place. Saponification is a chemical process which converts a fat into a soap by reaction with an alkali (sodium hydroxide). Each fat has a saponification value which measures the amount of sodium hydroxide necessary to saponify one gram of fat. The amounts of the fats, along with their saponification values, are inserted into a mathematical formula that will give the total amount of lye needed to saponify a batch of soap. Just about any fat or combination of fats can be used. The qualities of the soap, such as hardness or softness, amount of lather, and whether it is harsh or mild, are determined by the types of fats used. Once the saponification process has begun to take place, at trace (the point at which a line begins to form when stirring the mixture) the soap is poured into molds and allowed to solidify. Once the soap has solidified (after a couple of days), the soap is sliced into individual bars and set aside to cure. The curing process generally takes up to 6 weeks.
