How to Make Soap With a Cold Press
Making soap using the cold press method is an old-fashioned and basic way to create professional-quality natural soaps. The process must be followed in a specific way to make sure that the end result will be successful and will produce a solid, highly lathering soap. Ingredients can be purchased through a soap-making supply store or a natural foods store. Using organic ingredients whenever possible can prevent unwanted chemical pesticide from entering your soaps.
Things You'll Need
- Glass beaker or measuring cup
- Wooden spoon
- Medium stock pot
- Soap molds
- 7 oz. of lye
- 16 oz. of coconut oil
- 16 oz. of olive oil
- 16 oz. of palm oil
- 16 oz. of distilled water
- Protective gloves
- Protective goggles
- 2 glass candy thermometers
Instructions
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Heat the lye by combining it with distilled water. When the lye is combined with water, a chemical reaction generates heat. Before working with lye, make sure to put on protective gloves and goggles because lye can burn the mucus membranes. In a well-ventilated area, pour 7 oz. of lye with 16 oz. of distilled water in a glass container, such as a beaker or a measuring cup. Place a glass candy thermometer into the container, and watch for the temperature to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Heat the oils gradually over the stove. Combine 16 oz. of coconut oil, 16 oz. of olive oil and 16 oz. of palm oil into a medium-sized stock pot, and heat them over medium heat. Place a second glass candy thermometer into the pot, and watch for the mixture to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Pour the lye water into the stock pot with the oils, and stir the mixture vigorously using a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens significantly, or "traces." This tracing action is very important, and will ensure that the soaps will harden later. Tracing may take awhile to occur.
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Pour the mixture into individual soap molds very carefully, avoiding contact with the skin. Place the soap molds into a room that stays cool and dark for most of the day, and leave them there between six and eight weeks in order to "cure." Curing helps the lye become usable on the skin and allows the soap to harden and to produce a richer lather. Once cured, the soaps can be used or given away as special, natural holiday presents.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear protective gloves and goggles when handling lye.
Always combine lye with water in a well-ventilated area.
Keep lye and hot oils away from children.
