Follow the process visually above and by reading below.
STEP 1 | STEP 2 | STEP 3 | STEP 4 | STEP 5 | STEP 6|
When imagining the process of soapmaking, most people conjure up an image of a large cauldron of hot liquid, bubbling and boiling over a fire. This "hot process" method of soapmaking is considered somewhat old fashioned today, although it is still a perfectly acceptable way of making soap. The advantage of the cold process method is that not only is it less dangerous and cumbersome, but because there is less heat involved, the healing properties of the ingredients are more easily preserved and passed on into the final bars of soap. There are several steps to making soap using the cold process method, which are illustrated in this slide show.
1. Prepare Oils and Lye-Water Mixture
Solid and liquid oils are put into a pot to be melted together and then cooled to between 90-100 degrees. In a separate container, granules of lye (sodium hydroxide) and water are combined; a chemical reaction then causes the mixture to heat up to over 200 degrees F. The mixture is then cooled to the same temperature as the melted oils.
2. Combine the Lye-Water with Liquid Oils
After the oil and lye-water have both reached temperatures of 90-100 degrees, the lye-water is slowly poured into the oil, maintaining a constant stirring motion. As the lye-water chemically reacts with the oils, the process of "saponification" begins forming the mixture into soap. During saponification, glycerin forms, as a byproduct. Glycerin, a wonderful skin emollient and humectant, is just one of the many significant benefits offered by hand-crafted soap (typically, glycerin is removed from commercial soaps and sold as a separate commodity.) After the soap mixture reaches a custard-like consistency (this is also called "tracing"), it is ready to be poured into molds. Hand-stirring soap can take up to two hours to trace, depending on what oils are used.
3. Add Color, Scent and Texture
Once the soap has traced, it's time to add color, scent and any other fillers such as herbs or spices. Tomboy Soaps use a wide variety of pure essential oils to create appealing scent combinations, and natural-color pigments to create visual interest. Herbs and spices give the soap texture - and, in some cases actually exfoliate the skin.
4. Pour the Mixture Into Molds
The thick, liquid soap is then carefully poured into soap molds where it remains for 24-48 hours to harden. The hardened loaves of soap are then removed from the molds and any inconsistencies in appearance are trimmed away.
5. Cut the Soap Loaves Into Individual Bars
The soap loaves are typically cut the same day they are unmolded. A wire-cutter slices easily through the soap to create uniform, individual bars. The bars are then set on a rack, spaced apart and left to air-dry.
6. Cure the Soap
Although the bars look and act like soap at this stage (and will suds up in water), the saponification process is far from over. Although most saponification takes place during the initial stirring phase, a certain amount of active lye remaining in the soap must be neutralized before the soap can be safely used. This "curing" process takes 3-6 weeks. The longer the bars are cured, the harder and longer-lasting they become. After curing, the soap is ready to be wrapped and enjoyed.
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