SOAP, ROOM TEMP METHOD Save Time
Please do research on soap making and safety precautions before using this method. Follow any of my recipes in this blog.
The secret to cutting down the time in cold process soap making is the Room Temperature Method.
- No heating oils on the stove and then waiting for them to cool down, and
- No thermometers needed.
I found this method for my second batch, luckily. After the first batch, I almost quit. But with this method I was able to make it outside on the tailgate of my truck (in nicer weather) in less then half an hour after gathering all my supplies.
I could never figure why the oils needed to be heated, when the lye water provides its own heat.
Please read up on the safety procedures of working with lye (sodium hydroxide). It can burn right through your skin, so wear long rubber gloves over long sleeves, Eye protection, long pants, shoes, and work in a well ventilated area with no small children or pets around.
Always have an open bottle of Vinegar close by in case of a spill or splatter. Vinegar neutralizes lye.
Now that you have read about sodium hydroxide safety, this process may be used with any soap recipe.
1. Line/prepare your soap mold and measure out the additives such as coloring, fragrance, herbs, or any soap additives you may be using and set them close by.
2. Weigh, and place all the oils (butters, coconut oil, palm oil, tallow, lard, liquid oils, etc.) into a large stainless steel container or pot. No need to heat them.
3. Prepare lye solution wearing safety gear in a well ventilated area.
Weigh the water and then the sodium hydroxide separately. In a heavy plastic container such as a pitcher, set in the sink or a large tub, very slowly pour the sodium hydroxide into the water and gently stir until the crystals dissolve. Stand back for a moment to get out of the fumes.
4. Once the lye solution has become clear, you can slowly pour it over the oils in a large stainless steel pot. The lye solution will be very hot, and the heat will melt your hard oils.
Gently mash the hard oils down into the lye solution with a potato masher, large wooden spoon, or a stainless steel long handle whisk and slowly stir until the hard oils have completely melted.
It may take a while, but keep gently mashing and stirring slowly. A stainless steel potato masher comes in real handy here:-)
5. If it is not at trace by now, use a stick blender and mix the soap batter in short bursts, alternating with hand stirring until the soap reaches trace (trace looks like thick pudding see below).
You can now add your coloring, fragrance, and other additives.
6. Blend and pour into your soap mold. Cover, wrap and insulate it, IF you want your soap to gel. If you want a creamy bar, just lay a piece of newspaper or waxed paper gently over the top of the mold, not touching the soap.
7. The next day (wearing rubber gloves) unmold the soap and cut into bars. Set on waxed paper to cure for 4-6 weeks or more.
Note of Caution: The soap is not cured yet and it could still burn your skin. I know from experience. I had a small dab of soap on my gloves and brushed a piece of hair away from my cheek and oh boy, did that burn! I grabbed the Vinegar and rinsed it, and again burn! But it stopped the lye from eating my skin away any more. Then I rinsed it with cold water. Whew! A lesson learned.
Have fun, be safe!
Note: If you do not want to wait 4-6 weeks to use your soap, check out my blog post on Crock Pot Hot Process method. Coming soon!