Bar Soap

At it's simplest, soap is a mixture of lye and animal fat or vegetable oil.

Cold process and hot process are two common methods for making handmade soap. While both methods involve the same basic ingredients (oils, lye, and water), they differ in their preparation, processing, and curing times. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them often depends on the soap maker's preferences and desired outcomes.

Cold Process Soap Making

Process

In cold process soap making, the oils and lye solution are mixed together at room temperature (around 95-105°F or 35-40°C). The mixture is then poured into a mold and allowed to saponify (turn into soap) over the next 24-48 hours. The soap is then removed from the mold and cut into bars, which are left to cure for 4-6 weeks.

Advantages

Allows for intricate designs and color layering Produces a smoother, more consistent texture Retains more of the natural glycerin produced during saponification

Disadvantages

Requires a longer curing time (4-6 weeks) Lye and oils must be carefully measured and mixed to ensure proper saponification Fragrance oils and essential oils may cause the soap to seize or accelerate trace

Hot Process Soap Making

Process

In hot process soap making, the oils and lye solution are mixed together and then cooked over heat (around 140-180°F or 60-82°C) until saponification is complete. The cooked soap is then placed into a mold, allowed to cool and solidify, and then cut into bars. Hot process soap can be used immediately but benefits from a short curing period of 1-2 weeks.

Advantages

Shorter curing time (1-2 weeks) Allows for the addition of fragrance oils and essential oils after saponification, reducing the risk of seizing or acceleration Produces a more rustic, textured appearance

Disadvantages

Difficult to achieve intricate designs and color layering May result in a less smooth and consistent texture compared to cold process soap Some of the natural glycerin may be lost during the cooking process

Conclusion

Both cold process and hot process soap making produce high-quality, handmade soaps. The choice between the two methods ultimately depends on the soap maker's preferences, desired designs, and time constraints. Cold process soap making is ideal for creating intricate designs and achieving a smooth texture, but requires a longer curing time. Hot process soap making, on the other hand, allows for a shorter curing time and the addition of fragrance oils after saponification, but may result in a more rustic appearance and texture.

Recipes

Here's a simple recipe for making an all-natural, cold-process bar soap at home:

Coconut, Olive, Castor Oil Cold-Process Soap Recipe

Yields about 8 bars

This recipe makes a basic triple oil soap using coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil. You can customize the recipe with different oils and essential oils to create your own unique soap.‎

Ingredients:‎

• 10 oz (283 g) coconut oil‎
  
• 10 oz (283 g) olive oil‎
  
• 10 oz (283 g) castor oil‎
  
• 4.2 oz (119 g) lye (sodium hydroxide)‎
  
• 10.5 oz (298 g) distilled water‎
  
• 1-2 oz (28-57 g) essential oils of your choice (optional)‎
  

Equipment:‎

• Safety goggles and gloves
• Stainless steel or plastic bowl for mixing lye solution
• Large stainless steel, plastic, or enamel pot for mixing soap
• Stick blender
• Soap mold
• Parchment paper
  

Instructions:

1. Put on safety goggles and gloves.
2. Measure the distilled water into a bowl and carefully add the lye. Stir until the lye is fully dissolved. Set aside to cool.
3. Measure the coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil into a large pot. Heat gently until the coconut oil is just melted.
4. Let both the lye solution and the oils cool to around 95-105°F (35-40°C).
5. Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils. Blend with a stick blender until the mixture reaches a light trace (a thin pudding-like consistency).
6. If using, add the essential oils and blend until incorporated.
7. Pour the soap batter into a mold lined with parchment paper.
8. Cover the mold with a towel or blanket to insulate. Let it sit for 24-48 hours until the soap hardens.
9. Remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars.
10. Let the bars cure in a well-ventilated area for 4-6 weeks, turning occasionally to ensure even curing.
    

Safety Note:
Here's a simple recipe for making an all-natural, hot-process bar soap at home:

Introduction

This recipe provides instructions for making a simple, all-natural hot process bar soap at home. Hot process soap making involves cooking the soap mixture until saponification is complete, resulting in a faster curing time compared to cold process soap making.
Yields about 8 bars

Ingredients

• 10 oz (283 g) coconut oil
• 10 oz (283 g) olive oil
• 10 oz (283 g) castor oil
• 4.2 oz (119 g) lye (sodium hydroxide)
• 10.5 oz (298 g) distilled water
• 1-2 oz (28-57 g) essential oils of your choice (optional)

Equipment

• Safety goggles and gloves
• Stainless steel or plastic bowl for mixing lye solution
• Large stainless steel, plastic, or enamel pot for cooking soap
• Stick blender
• Soap mold
• Parchment paper

Instructions

1. Put on safety goggles and gloves.
2. Measure the distilled water into a bowl and carefully add the lye. Stir until the lye is fully dissolved. Set aside to cool.
3. Measure the coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil into a large pot. Heat gently until the coconut oil is just melted.
4. Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils. Blend with a stick blender until the mixture reaches a light trace (a thin pudding-like consistency).
5. Cook the soap mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a thick, vaseline-like consistency (around 140-180°F or 60-82°C). This may take 30-60 minutes.
6. Remove the soap from the heat and let it cool slightly (around 180°F or 82°C). If using, add the essential oils and stir until incorporated.
7. Spoon the soap into a mold lined with parchment paper. Smooth the top with a spatula or spoon.
8. Allow the soap to cool and solidify for 24-48 hours.
9. Remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars.
10. The soap can be used immediately, but it will benefit from a short curing period of 1-2 weeks to improve its hardness and longevity.

Safety Considerations

Soapmaking involves working with lye, which is caustic. Always wear protective gear and work in a well-ventilated area. Be sure to follow safety guidelines and recipes from reputable sources. It's also important to use precise measurements, as the ratio of lye to oils determines the quality and safety of the final product.

Conclusion

Making all-natural hot process bar soap at home is a rewarding and relatively simple process. By following this recipe and taking the necessary safety precautions, you can create a high-quality, handmade soap that is free from artificial additives and customized to your preferences. While hot process soap can be used immediately, allowing for a short curing period will improve its hardness and longevity.

Soapmaking involves working with lye, which is caustic. Always wear protective gear and work in a well-ventilated area. It's also important to use precise measurements, as the ratio of lye to oils determines the quality and safety of the final product.