How to Make Soap with the Cold Process
Gather all the necessary materials., Fill the glass measuring bowl with the appropriate amount of distilled water, based on the recipe., Add the appropriate amount of lye very slowly to create the lye/water solution and stir., Set the lye/water...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Gather all the necessary materials.
Items needed are safety goggles, rubber gloves, a stainless steel pot, a glass bowl, a glass measuring bowl, a scale, rubber stirring utensils, thermometer (two thermometers if possible, one for the oils and one for the lye), the soap batch recipe, the recipe ingredients, and soap molds. -
Step 2: Fill the glass measuring bowl with the appropriate amount of distilled water
Important note: the caustic nature of the lye will etch the glass bowl making it appear frosted.
The glass bowl will be fine but the look is permanent. , The lye and water will react with each other and initially get very hot.
Be sure to always add the lye to the water.
Adding the water to the lye may cause a bubbling "volcanic" reaction. ,,, It is recommended to wear the goggles and rubber gloves here in case of any lye splashes. , Expect to stir continuously for about 15 minutes, until the mixture starts to thicken, like pudding.
This is called the "trace" stage.
Using an electric stick blender is one way to speed up the stirring and bring the soap mixture to the "trace" stage more quickly. , Again, the "trace" stage can be recognized by the patterns left in the soap mixture as it is stirred.
It will resemble a thickening pudding. , Be sure that the soap mixture is evenly distributed. , Wrapping the molds in a blanket or towel for insulation will keep the soap warm and accelerate the curing process. , Remove the soap from the mold, cut in to bars and allow the bars to cure and dry out for 4-6 weeks. -
Step 3: based on the recipe.
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Step 4: Add the appropriate amount of lye very slowly to create the lye/water solution and stir.
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Step 5: Set the lye/water solution safely off to the side so that it may cool a bit.
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Step 6: Weigh the oils and melt them in the stainless steel pot using the stove on medium heat.
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Step 7: When the lye/water solution and oils have reached the same temperature
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Step 8: ideally around 110 °F (43 °C)
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Step 9: stir the lye/water solution slowly in to the stainless steel pot of melted oils to create the soap mixture.
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Step 10: Stir the soap mixture thoroughly.
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Step 11: Once the soap mixture reaches "trace"
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Step 12: add the essential oils
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Step 13: other fragrances or herbs
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Step 14: pigments and stir.
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Step 15: Pour the soap mixture into the molds.
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Step 16: Stash the molds in a warm place and allow them to cure and harden for 24-48 hours.
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Step 17: After the soap has hardened
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Step 18: its water content will still be quite high.
Detailed Guide
Items needed are safety goggles, rubber gloves, a stainless steel pot, a glass bowl, a glass measuring bowl, a scale, rubber stirring utensils, thermometer (two thermometers if possible, one for the oils and one for the lye), the soap batch recipe, the recipe ingredients, and soap molds.
Important note: the caustic nature of the lye will etch the glass bowl making it appear frosted.
The glass bowl will be fine but the look is permanent. , The lye and water will react with each other and initially get very hot.
Be sure to always add the lye to the water.
Adding the water to the lye may cause a bubbling "volcanic" reaction. ,,, It is recommended to wear the goggles and rubber gloves here in case of any lye splashes. , Expect to stir continuously for about 15 minutes, until the mixture starts to thicken, like pudding.
This is called the "trace" stage.
Using an electric stick blender is one way to speed up the stirring and bring the soap mixture to the "trace" stage more quickly. , Again, the "trace" stage can be recognized by the patterns left in the soap mixture as it is stirred.
It will resemble a thickening pudding. , Be sure that the soap mixture is evenly distributed. , Wrapping the molds in a blanket or towel for insulation will keep the soap warm and accelerate the curing process. , Remove the soap from the mold, cut in to bars and allow the bars to cure and dry out for 4-6 weeks.
About the Author
Katherine Clark
Specializes in breaking down complex hobbies topics into simple steps.
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