Cold-process soap
CP soapmaking instructions
Precautions
1. Do not use aluminium containers. The soap and the pot will be ruined.
2. Treat sodium hydroxide with the utmost respect. It is a dangerous chemical.
3. It is ESSENTIAL to wear eye protection and gloves.
4. If you spill sodium hydroxide on your skin, it will sting. Flush with cold water until the stinging stops. Dabbing with vinegar or lemon juice helps too.
Utensils needed
- Safety glasses
- Rubber gloves
- Plastic, glass or stainless steel pot or bowl
- Spatula
- Stick blender (very useful and, after making a batch without one, you will say essential!)
- Thermometer
- Container to use as a mould; all our recipes can fit in one of our loaf moulds.
- Baking paper to line mould, if the mould isn't silicon
If you are going to make a habit of soapmaking, have utensils dedicated for that purpose.
Method for all cold-process soap recipes
- Melt gently the solid oils.
- Add the other oils and cool to 40°C.
- Put on safety glasses and gloves. Add sodium hydroxide to COLD water and stir until dissolved. Don’t breathe in the fumes.
- Cool to 40°C. Keep in a safe place away from people and animals.
- Put on safety glasses and gloves. Add sodium hydroxide mixture to oils. Stir until thick. A stick blender will shorten this process but don’t mix too fast. Stop and stir in the OFF position often.
- Add essential oil. Stir until the soap is like thick porridge.
- Pour into a Go Native NZ silicon loaf mould.
- Cover to keep warm for 24 hours.
- Uncover, unmould and cut into bars.
- Separate bars to dry for 3 weeks before using.
Variations
Botanicals, dried flowers, colours, etc, can be used. Add these before the mixture becomes too thick and before adding the essential oil.
For more detailed equipment list, click here.
For more detailed instructions, click here.