How to make soap

How to Make Cold Pressed Soap

Cold pressed soap is a type of soap that is made by mixing oils and lye at a low temperature, without applying any external heat. This method preserves the natural properties of the oils and creates a gentle, moisturizing soap that is suitable for sensitive skin.

In this blog post, I will show you how to make cold pressed soap at home, using simple ingredients and tools. You will need:

- A digital scale

- A heat-resistant glass or stainless steel container

- A wooden or silicone spoon

- A stick blender

- A soap mold

- A knife or cutter

- A thermometer

- Safety goggles and gloves

- Lye (sodium hydroxide)

- Distilled water

- Oils of your choice (such as olive, coconut, palm, etc.)

- Essential oils or fragrance oils (optional)

- Colorants or additives (optional)

The basic steps to make cold pressed soap are:

1. Prepare your work area and wear your safety gear. Lye is a caustic substance that can cause severe burns if it comes in contact with your skin or eyes. Make sure you work in a well-ventilated area and keep children and pets away.

2. Measure your lye and water using the digital scale. The amount of lye and water you need depends on the recipe you are following. You can use an online soap calculator to determine the exact measurements based on the oils you are using. Generally, you want to use a lye concentration of 25% to 35%, which means that for every 100 grams of water, you need 25 to 35 grams of lye.

3. Slowly add the lye to the water in the glass or stainless steel container, stirring with the wooden or silicone spoon. Never add water to lye, as this can cause a violent reaction. The mixture will heat up and release fumes, so be careful not to inhale them. The temperature of the lye solution should be around 120°F (49°C).

4. Measure your oils using the digital scale and melt them in a microwave-safe container if they are solid at room temperature. The amount of oils you need depends on the recipe you are following. You can use any combination of oils you like, as long as they add up to 100%. Some common oils for cold pressed soap are olive oil (which makes a soft and mild soap), coconut oil (which makes a hard and cleansing soap), and palm oil (which makes a stable and creamy soap). The temperature of the oils should be around 100°F (38°C).

5. Carefully pour the lye solution into the oils, stirring with the wooden or silicone spoon. Then use the stick blender to mix them until they reach a light trace, which means that when you lift the blender from the mixture, it leaves a faint trail on the surface. This can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your recipe and equipment.

6. Add your essential oils or fragrance oils, colorants or additives if you want to customize your soap. You can use any scents or colours you like, as long as they are suitable for cold process soap making. Some common additives for cold pressed soap are oatmeal (which adds exfoliation), honey (which adds moisture), clay (which adds slip), and herbs (which add texture). Stir well with the wooden or silicone spoon until everything is well incorporated.

7. Pour your soap batter into your soap mold, tapping it gently to remove any air bubbles. You can use any mold you like, as long as it is made of silicone, plastic, or wood lined with parchment paper. Some common shapes for cold pressed soap are bars, loaves, rounds, or novelty shapes.

8. Cover your soap mold with a towel or cardboard and let it sit in a cool and dry place for 24 hours. This will allow the soap to harden and complete the saponification process, which is the chemical reaction between the oils and lye that turns them into soap.

9. Unmold your soap and cut it into pieces if needed, using a knife or cutter. Be careful not to touch the soap with bare hands, as it may still be caustic. Wear gloves and goggles when handling it.

10. Cure your soap for 4 to 6 weeks, placing it somewhere dry and well ventilated.