Lesson 1: Introduction
Overview of Cold Process Soapmaking
A quick overview of cold process soapmaking (don't worry, I will cover each step extensively later in the course):
- A soap recipe is selected that calls for the precise measurement of oils and lye as well as the "combination temperature," the exact temperature at which the oils are combined with the lye to produce saponification.
- A lye/water solution is prepared and the solution is left to cool.
- Oils and fats are heated slightly to melt solid fats and to bring the oils up to the combination temperature.
- When the temperature of the lye/water solution and the oil matches the combination temperature called for in the recipe, they are combined and stirred until the mixture "traces."
- Upon trace, additional oils and other additives may be stirred in.
- The soap is poured into a mold, covered and left to begin saponification.
- The soap is unmolded and left to cure (may take several weeks).
- Your soap is ready to use!
Saponification is the term we use to refer to the chemical process whereby fats/oils (acids) combine with lye (an alkali) to produce a neutral salt - soap. The cold process method of soapmaking refers to the fact that no additional heat is used during the saponification process. It is a bit of a misnomer, because, as you are about to find out, quite a lot of heat is generated during the chemical process (the lye/water solution can reach up to 200 degrees farenheit). However, no additional heat is used and saponification takes place slowly, over several weeks. Hot process soapmaking is the term we use when heat is used to speed up saponification. Most commercial soap made via saponification (remember some commercial soaps are actually detergents - not soap at all) is made at a very high temperature. After all, big companies can't wait weeks for a product.
Many of us believe that soap made using the cold process method is well worth the wait! That is because natural and organic ingredients so important in natural handmade soap are often degraded and even destroyed at high temperatures. In addition, glycerin, a wonderful emollient and humectant is a natural by-product of cold process soapmaking and remains in the final soap bar.
