Soap making is an ancient craft that has been around for centuries.
It involves taking raw ingredients and transforming them into soap through a process called saponification. This process involves chemical reactions between fats, oils, and lye to form soap molecules.
There are two main ways of soap making – cold process soap (CPS) and hot process soap (HPS). Both methods produce different results in terms of the look, feel, smell, and longevity of the soap bar.
It’s important to understand the differences between cold process soap and hot process soap when choosing which method you’ll use for your own projects.
Cold Process Soap Making
How to make soap with the cold method
Cold process soap making is a traditional soap-making method that has been used for centuries. It dates back to the earliest soap makers, who relied on cold processing methods to preserve the soap’s ingredients and ensure a high quality product.
The cold process soap making process begins by melting down solid fats such as lard or tallow until they reach a liquid state. This liquid oil is then mixed with an alkali solution (typically a combination of water and sodium hydroxide) which causes a chemical reaction called saponification.
This process releases glycerin – a naturally occurring moisturizing agent – into the mixture while forming soap molecules.
After saponification is completed, soap makers can add other ingredients to their soap such as essential oils for scent and color additives for visual appeal.
The soap mixture is then poured into a mold and left to solidify several weeks. Once the soap has set, it can be cut into bars and allowed to cure before use.
Advantages of making soap with the cold method
Cold process soap making offers many benefits, including a wider variety of texture options.
The soap maker has more control over the texture of their product when using cold process methods; they can choose to make smooth soaps or opt for soaps with exfoliating properties by adding exfoliating ingredients such as ground oatmeal or loofah.
Additionally, cold processing allows the soap maker to keep natural glycerin intact; this naturally occurring ingredient provides moisture-rich soap.
The cold process soap making method offers the ability to control all of the ingredients used in the soap-making process, as well as retain beneficial properties due to its lack of external heat being applied. It also helps soap makers achieve unique colors, shapes and textures within their creations that are often not achievable with hot process soap making.
Disadvantages of making soap with the cold method
The most significant disadvantage to cold process soap making is the risk of dangerous chemical reactions between the lye and oils. When these two ingredients come into contact with each other, they can react dangerously and cause an explosion or release harmful fumes into the air.
However, because this method requires an exact measurement of oils and lye, soap makers must take extra precautions and wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles, masks and long sleeves to minimize exposure to the chemicals.
Another disadvantage of cold process soap making is the lengthy amount of time needed to complete the process. The soap must be cured and allowed to set for several weeks before it can be used.
This makes cold process soap making a time-consuming endeavor, especially if you are trying to produce larger batches of soap.
Hot Process Soap Making
How to make soap with the hot method
In comparison, hot process soap making was invented in the 19th century as an innovation from cold process soap making.
Hot process soap making is the traditional soap making method.
Once trace has been reached, fragrances and/or colorants may be added, then soap may be molded into its final form.
The hot process begins with heating and melting the fats or oils in a pot, usually on a stovetop. Once heated, lye (sodium hydroxide) is added while stirring until fully dissolved. Once this solution cools slightly, additional ingredients such as essential oils may be added.
After thorough mixing, the soap mixture can then be poured into molds and left to cool for at least 24 hours.
The soap is then ready for use after it has fully cooled, making this method ideal for soap makers who need quick results.
However, due to the high heat used in the hot process soap-making method, some of the properties (such as scent) may be different than those created by cold process soap making.
Advantages of making soap with the hot method
Hot process soap makers enjoy the benefit of a shorter cure time as heat helps accelerate saponification, meaning soap is ready to use in a fraction of the time it takes for cold process soap.
This can be beneficial for soap makers who want to get their products on store shelves more quickly or for those who want to experiment with different recipes without having to wait weeks before they can see results.
Hot processed soap typically produces a harder bar that is longer-lasting than cold processed soap.
Additionally, the heat and moisture used during hot processing can help create an extra creamy soap bar that is gentle on skin.
Disadvantages of making soap with the hot method
Hot process soap often does not produce as creamy or bubbly lather as cold process soaps do due to chemical changes in the soap during the cooking process.
Additionally, hot process soap may have a different texture from cold process soap and can be more brittle when cooled. Finally, soap made with the hot method does not have time to fully develop its scent as it cooks, so fragrances tend to be less pronounced in finished soap compared to cold process soap.
Another disadvantage of soap made with the hot process is that it has a shorter shelf life than soap made with the cold process. This is because soap made through the hot method contains fewer natural oils and fats that can act as preservatives, making it more susceptible to degradation over time.
Hot process soap also tends to outgas during curing, meaning that fragrances can be lost from soap over time due to evaporation.
Additionally, the soap’s pH level may shift quickly if not kept in an air-tight container, which could lead to skin irritation or other issues for some users.
Finally, soap made through the hot process is often limited when it comes to design or color options. This is because soap that’s cooked gets too hot to work with additives like liquid colors or fragrances without damaging them.
Hot Process soap also tends to be more opaque than soap made with the cold process, making it difficult to create layered or swirled designs.
The Key Differences Between The Cold and Hot Method of Making Soap
| Cold Process Soap Making | Hot Process Soap Making |
|---|---|
| In cold process soap making, soap is created by combining lye (sodium hydroxide) with various oils. It then goes through a curing process that typically lasts four to six weeks before it's ready to be used. | In hot process soap making, soap is made using the same ingredients as cold process soap making except that heat is added in order to speed up the saponification process. The heat speeds up the chemical reaction between the alkali and the fat molecules, resulting in a soap that is ready to use within 24 hours. |
| Creating a bar of soap requires careful measuring and exact proportions | The hot process method eliminates the need for precise measurements and a soap maker can quickly soap up a batch in as little as an hour. |
| Creating a bar of soap requires careful measuring and exact proportions | The hot process method eliminates the need for precise measurements and a soap maker can quickly soap up a batch in as little as an hour. |
| Cold process soap is more luxurious, with higher quality ingredients that result in a longer-lasting soap bar. | Hot process soap has a rustic, natural look and it often takes on unique shapes such as those found in homemade soaps. |
| The cold process involves mixing solid oils (butters) with liquid oils to create soap batter which is then poured into soap molds where it hardens over time. | The hot process requires the soap maker to cook the soap batter until it thickens, then pour it into molds before curing for several days. |
| The cold process method offers greater flexibility when creating soap recipes due to its ability to accept a wide range of colors, fragrances, and additives. | The hot process soap can also be customized but is not as versatile as cold process soap making. |
| The curing period of cold process soap allows for a bar that produces an abundant lather with large, fluffy bubbles. | Due to the accelerated nature of the hot process, some of these benefits may not be achieved in comparison with cold processed soaps. However, hot processing overall has numerous benefits such as time and soap consistency. |
| The soap made using the cold process method is generally considered to be milder, more moisturizing, and longer-lasting than soap created through hot process soap making. | Hot processed soap has a rustic, natural look that many soap makers prefer. In addition, it is easier to make and requires less attention to detail when creating recipes. |
| Cold process soap making offers greater control over the ingredients used in your soap due to its slow curing process. | Hot processing allows for faster production times but requires a certain level of expertise as mistakes can occur if not done correctly. Additionally, some of the characteristics found in cold process soap may not be achieved with this method. |
Cold Process Soap Making vs Hot Process Soap Making – Conclusion
In conclusion, both cold and hot processes soap making offer unique benefits depending on the soap maker’s needs or preferences.
Ultimately, soap makers must carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each method before deciding which process is best for their soap.
Time commitment: Cold process soap requires several weeks of cure time before it is ready for sale or use; hot process soap uses heat to reduce this curing time significantly.
Cost: Both methods require similar ingredients, however cold process soap may be more costly due to the extended cure time required (this means soap makers will have to wait longer for their product to be ready).
Results: Cold processed soap has a wider variety of textures available, while hot processed soap typically produces a harder bar with a longer shelf-life.
Skincare: Cold process soap tends to retain more natural glycerin, offering more moisture for skin care; hot process soap is typically milder on the skin due to its extra creamy texture.
Leave a Reply