Soap production by cold process, video instruction
This process is called cold because the saponification process occurs without the use of a heat source. Nevertheless, the soap has a relatively high temperature in the saponification process.
The main advantage of this method is the possibility of colouring and thus creating different patterns in the resulting soap. A minor disadvantage is the maturation time of the soap, to evaporate the residual water in the soap it is necessary to let the soap rest for 2-4 weeks, so that the water evaporates and the soap remains beautifully hard. The harder the soap, the longer it will last in our bathroom.
To make soap by the cold process you will need:
Protective gear- goggles, gloves, digital scale, bowls, spatula, spoons, immersion blender, soap mold, pH papers,sodium hydroxide- commonly available at drugstores, distilled water, Oils- olive (pomace), coconut, castor, sunflower,... depends on the recipe, Butters- cocoa, magnesium,..., Waxes- beeswax, Essential oils, fragrance oils, Dyes.
Procedure:
The basic steps of cold process soap making are:
- Preparation of hydroxide solution
- Preparation of oils and butters
- Mixing the oils with the hydroxide solution- creating a trace
- Adding fragrances and colorants
- Pouring into mould- 24 hours saponification process
- Cutting of the resulting soap
- Aging process, 2-4 weeks
We describe the production in more detail in the attached video.
Measurement of the final pH:
After 2-4 weeks, it's time to measure the pH of the final soap. Moisten a piece of soap with water, attach a pH paper and compare it to the scale that is attached directly to the pH paper packaging. The soap should have a pH of less than 9.5.
What did we use in the video?
Raw material |
Quantity / g |
Sodium hydroxide |
28,5 |
76 |
|
60 |
|
20 |
|
Olive oil- pomace |
90 |
30 |
|
20 drops |
|
As needed |