Cold Process Soap Making, Melt And Pour And Rebatching Soap – Easy As Pie!
Cold Process Soap:
The type of soap my Great-Grandma made is called “Cold Process” soap (commonly referred to as “CP” soap). It is made by combining fatty acids (oils) and sodium hydroxide (lye) together. Fatty acids can be almost any oil – from beef tallow to olive oil to hemp oil. The combinations for making your own personal recipe are endless.
Cold process soapmaking is a combinations of an art and science. The condensed version of this type of soapmaking is that there is a certain proportion of lye (sodium hydroxide) and water to fatty acids that forms a chemical reaction called “saponifaction.” During saponification, the oils and lye mix and become soap – the process takes approximately six weeks to fully complete. Soap has to harden and dry before it can safely be used.
Cold process soapmaking requires the use of lye (you can’t buy it just anywhere anymore) and the use of safety equipment, such as goggles and gloves. Please do not attempt to make cold process soap without researching the method thoroughly. Cold process soap is known for its hard, long lasting quality. Depending on the oils used, the bar can have great lather (coconut oil has excellent lathering properties), be incredibly mild (olive oil is renowned for its gentle qualities) or be very moisturizing (with the addition of oils, such as shea and cocoa butter or hemp oil).
Tips
- Using a stick blender rather than rubber utensils can make the mixture reach trace far more quickly.
- Measure out your oils before hand to make things move more efficiently.
- It is difficult to get the soap to trace if the ingredients cool down too much. Both the lye/water mixture and the oils should be no less than 100 degrees fahrenheit each when they are ready to be combined.
- A large plastic bowl may also be used for the lye/water mixture, rather than glass.
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Lye is extremely caustic. Do not make soap with children or pets present. Keep vinegar on hand in case of lye exposure to the skin.
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Always wear safety equipment – safety goggles and rubber gloves.
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The soap mixture will still be caustic as you pour it into the molds. Handle with care.
Equipment you will need:
A 4-6 cup lye resistant container for mixing lye and water. This container must be made of stainless steel, glass or heat resistant (212 degrees F) plastic. It must not be made of aluminum or tin.
Another large heat resistant container or pot (stainless steel, enamel or plastic will work) for mixing the soap
A large saucepan for heating up the oils
Heavy duty rubber spatulas or wooden spoons for mixing
A good quality scale for measuring ingredients (it’s nice to have one in ounces and another in grams if possible)
A soap mold – can be anything from a Rubbermaid(tm) type container to a wooden tray or even a heavy duty cardboard box. Use your imagination and be on the look out for containers that will make nice molds. It is adviseable to use something flexible so that the soap will come out easily with a little twist.
Wax paper or a plastic bag to line the molds with to prevent leaks and deterioration of the mold itself. Replace cardboard molds when warped to avoid unshapely bars. We line our molds with wax paper for ease of ”plopping” out the soaps.
Two thermometers for checking the temperatures of the oils and the lye solution – the type used for candy making will work best (220 degrees F)
Goggles and rubber gloves
Melt and Pour Soap:
Technically, all hand made soap is “Glycerin Soap.” In many commercial soaps, all the extra glycerin (formed naturally by the cold process soapmaking method) is harvested from the soap. Thus, all real handmade soap is glycerin rich (since handmade soapmakers don’t take glycerin out of their soap).
In today’s market, the term “Glycerin Soap” is commonly used to refer to clear soap. Generally, the clear soap has extra glycerin added to it to produce a very nourishing, moisturizing bar. Glycerin is a “humectant.” It draws moisture to itself; the theory is that if you wash with glycerin soap, a thin layer of glycerin will remain, drawing moisture to your skin. But, if the bar is opaque (ie, goat milk soap, etc.) it just has ingredients like milk or herbs that have darkened and thickened it. The color doesn’t have to be “clear” to be a true glycerin bar that is good for your skin.
Many kinds of soap base can be purchased in large blocks to be melted down, colored and fragranced, and scraped into molds (or used to make loaves of soap to be sliced). This type of soap is called “Melt and Pour” and the artistry of melt and pour is called “Soap Casting.” Melt and Pour is gaining in popularity because of its ease of use. There are no significant safety measures (other than basic common sense – don’t put your hand in the hot soap, don’t cut your finger off with the knife, etc…) needed for soapcasting. Children can do it. It’s a great outlet for creative types. You can stamp, color or mold your soap into anything your imagination conjures up.
Rebatching Soaps:
Rebatching is another form of cold process soapmaking. You make your cold process soap from scratch, grate it up, place it over a heat source in a kettle, (or your microwave) with a little liquid (water works very well), and the mixture melts down into a mushy mess to which you add herbs or colorants and fragrances. This method is often used to preserve the scent or the healing properties of some essential oils. You can also rebatch to save that “ugly bar” of cold process soap that you can’t give away.
What you Need for the method shown below:
- A cheese grater
- boiler or broiler bag with twisty tie
- a large pot (like you’d boil spagetti noodles in)
- a pound or two of used or “ugly” soap shavings
- 4 ounces of liquid (milk, water, tea, etc.)
- a mold for soap – NOT made of aluminum, zinc, copper, Teflon, or iron (we prefer WOOD)
- wax paper
- stainless steel or heavy plastic large spoon
- rubber/latex gloves
- pot holder
**BOIL IN BAG METHOD**: One of the most foolproof methods I have found for rebatching soaps is to shred your soap base or bars with a cheese grater or other device.
I usually make 2 lbs at a time to keep it simple, add approx 1/2 cup of water or milk. Use more liquid if the soap is really hard. Cured soap will take more liquid to melt it with. Fresher soap base will need less liquid to melt. Use a broiler bag or boiling bag (like you cook a turkey, chicken or roast in) and tie it shut.
Bring a large pot of water (about 3-4 inches of water will do, just enough to float your bag of soap) to a slow, bubbly boil. Just steaming, is my advice. Place the bag in the hot water for about 15 minutes (set your timer and don’t walk away too fast!). Take the bag out of the water when the timer goes off and using a pot holder (be careful because it’s HOT) kneed the bag until the soap has fewer lumps. Place back in the pot for 10-15 more minutes. Keep an eye on it, it will get darker and liquid like pudding.
When it is uniformly melted, open the bag carefully (my husband and I do this as a team) and add your colorants, fragrance or essential oils, herbs, flower petals, whatever blows your skirt up… seal the bag again or hold it firmly by the open end and knead the contents again until mixed.
Cut the end of the bag off, like a pastry bag… and place over your molds. Squeeze or let the soap run out (depending on the size of the hole you cut, it will come out really fast or really slowly). It will set up in approx 24 hours. You can then pop it out of the molds to dry on wax paper for 1 day to 3 weeks, depending on how long it takes for it to set up, you can use it pretty quickly.
PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR SOAPS AT OUR SHOP ON BONANZLE! LOW PRICES ON HANDMADE SOAPS, EVEN SOAPS FOR OUR DOGGIE FRIENDS! We have other handmade beauty products, like creams and lotions, lip balms and spa clay facial masks! Check it out at http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com . Thanks!
We are located in the Piney Woods of East Texas. We are a small, locally owned and operated home business. Our products are all from the finest quality ingredients and many are made when you order them! All our lotions and soaps are handmade with fresh goat’s milk and the finest quality vegetable oils. God Bless You! http://www.NeeNeesSoapShop2.blogspot.com
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Cold Process Soap Making, Melt And Pour And Rebatching Soap – Easy As Pie!
Finding a Soap Maker
Some people see many personal care professionals throughout their lives. For instance, many people have a personal hair stylist, manicurist, pedicurist, make-up consultant, and more. Some people, also, have a personal goat milk soap maker. Finding this person can be very important and beneficial. How? Experienced and knowledgeable soap makers can provide helpful information regarding skin care issues for people and pets! There are lots of soap makers in the world, but how can you find someone who really cares about the needs of you and your pet(s)? There are many ways.
Word of mouth is, usually, the best way you will learn of a good soap maker. Maybe you do not know a soap maker, personally, but maybe someone you know does happen to know of someone who can help you. Ask questions, listen and learn.
Attend soap making workshops. There are many soap workshops, available, that provide a multitude of beneficial information. These workshops are, usually, inexpensive and you will learn many new products while meeting others with the same desires and interests as you. Get involved. You may even discover you want to make your own soap! Ask family or friends to join you. Have fun!
Take classes. Some soap makers provide classes that teach and provide you one-on-one instructions for making your own soap. Classes are very beneficial, especially for beginners, who need one-on-one personal attention. It is not always easy to make soap, so finding someone that shows patience and kindness will provide a happy environment for you and all. Ask for a class schedule and find out exactly what you will learn for the money you are paying.
Attend community events. Lots of communities have festivals throughout the year offering many product displays. You may find soap makers at these events displaying their products for purchase. Many times, you will discover that experienced soap makers offer much more than soap! They may offer a multitude of handcrafted bath and body products such as natural: shampoo, lotion, face cream, foot scrubs, lip balms, shower gel, bath soaks, and more! These natural bath and body products contain mild, gentle and skin nourishing ingredients. They provide healthful skin care benefits. Some handcrafted bath and body products are available for pets too! These bath and body products can include natural dog and cat soaps that gently cleanse and a natural dog powder that kills and repels fleas. The skin care benefits offered in natural goat milk bath and body products for people and pets are endless!
Talk to customers. Ask for customer references. Talking to others may help you decide if a certain soap maker is right for you. You will learn how the soap maker treats and cares for their customers. Ask questions, listen and learn.
Read customer testimonials. Many times customers want to share their experience(s) with others regarding certain products. You may discover that you are not alone regarding a certain personal care issue and learn how others were helped and benefited.
Search on-line for leads to soap makers in your area or abroad. Just about everything can be searched for on-line. There are many websites to explore.
Contact a soap maker directly. There are many ways to reach others in the world we live in: phone, e-mail, snail mail, and more. A caring and conscientious soap maker will take the time to answer and respond to your questions. This is the best way to get to know a soap maker, personally. It may take one or many conversations, e-mails, or more until you feel comfortable enough to trust him or her with your skin care issues. Take your time. Finding someone that demonstrates care and concern for you or your pet(s), is a great leap forward in solving many skin care issues. Again, do not be afraid to ask questions. Finding someone may seem like an overwhelming task, but do not be discouraged, there is a goat milk soap maker out there just right for you and your pet(s)!
To contact a caring, experienced and knowledgeable goat milk soap maker for people and pets, you may first consider visiting: www.natural-goat-milk-soap.com/contact.html
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