Question 1

What is cold process soap making?

Accepted Answer

Cold process soap making is a traditional method where oils or fats are combined with sodium hydroxide (lye) at room temperature, resulting in a chemical reaction called saponification that creates soap.

Question 2

Is their a specific dress code to make soap?

Accepted Answer

While there isn't a specific "dress code" for soap making, safety is paramount, and wearing protective clothing like long sleeves, long pants, closed toed shoes, gloves, and eye protection are essential when handling lye (sodium hydroxide) AND are required to take this class.

Question 3

Is homemade soap better than store-bought soap?

Accepted Answer

Homemade soap offers natural ingredients, customization, and a gentler cleanse than store-bought options. However, it requires careful preparation and safety precautions.

Question 4

What are the basic ingredients needed for cold process soap?

Accepted Answer

To make cold process soap, you'll need oils or fats, water, and sodium hydroxide (lye), with optional additions like essential oils, colorants, and other ingredients for scent and texture.

Question 5

What is lye, and is it dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Lye is a general term for alkaline compounds like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH), used to make soap and other products, but it's also highly caustic and dangerous, potentially causing severe burns if not handled with extreme care.

Question 6

How do I know how much lye to use?

Accepted Answer

Each oil has a specific saponification value, which indicates how much lye is needed to react with a certain weight of that oil.  Also, use a lye calculator, which takes into account the type and amount of oils in your recipe, and their saponification values, to calculate the precise lye needed.

Question 7

What is a saponification number?

Accepted Answer

The saponification number, or saponification value, is the amount of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in milligrams required to saponify (react with and neutralize) one gram of fat or oil under specified conditions.

Question 8

What does "superfatting" mean, and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

In soapmaking, "superfatting" means adding more oil or fat to a soap recipe than is required to fully saponify (react with lye) and create soap, leaving some oils unreacted, which results in a more moisturizing and gentle soap.

Question 9

How much fragrance should I use for cold process soap?

Accepted Answer

For cold process soap, I generally use at most 2% of my total recipe weight, but always check the manufacturer's recommended usage rate for the specific fragrance oil you are using.

Question 10

Can I add herbs, exfoliants, or other ingredients to my soap?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can absolutely add herbs, exfoliants, and other ingredients to your soap, but consider how they might react with the soap-making process and how they will look and feel in the final product.

Question 11

What safety precautions should I take when working with lye?

Accepted Answer

When working with lye, prioritize safety by wearing protective gear (gloves, goggles, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes), working in a well-ventilated area, and always adding lye to water, never the other way around.

Question 12

How does soap cure and how long?

Accepted Answer

Soap curing is the process of allowing saponification to complete and water to evaporate, resulting in a harder, milder, and longer-lasting soap bar. The typical cure time for cold-process soap is 4 to 6 weeks.

Question 13

How is cold process different from hot process or melt & pour soap?

Accepted Answer

Cold process soap mixes oils and lye, usually, at room temperature, requiring curing for saponification. Hot process soap uses heat to speed saponification, making it usable sooner. Melt & pour soap melts a pre-made base, allowing customization without curing or saponification.

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