Cold process soap making, soap curing secrets REVEALED!

Soap lovers and curious minds! 🧼

If you've ever been curious about the mystical art of cold-process soapmaking, you've probably heard about "cure time."

Why does this bewitching soapy brew need to have a long month's vacation before it's ready to enchant your senses? Fear not, in this blog, we'll reveal the science behind the magic of soapmaking and explain why patience truly pays off!

The 3 Types of Soap-Making Techniques

Before we conclude, let's take a quick detour into the realms of soapmaking. There are three main methods for creating soap:

• 1. Dazzling Hot Process: 

Similar to cold process, but with the added heat of a cauldron to speed up the reaction.

• 2. Ever enchanting Melt and Pour:

For the busy witches – simply melt a pre-made base and add your magical ingredients.

• 3. Cold Process:

The star of our show! A spooky alchemical dance between oils, fats, water-based ingredients and lye that results in enchanting soap.

 

Cold Process Soap Making Ingredients

The following ingredients are used to make cold processed soap:

• Water-based ingredients: Distilled, water, oat milk, or even carrot juice if so you want

• Sodium Hydroxide: It is the magic ingredient. It preserves all the amazing qualities in your soap and is what creates the chemical reaction that makes soap.

• Oils and Fats: Many oils can be used to make a rich soap. At Spooks & Spanks, we use mainly Coconut oil, Shea butter, sustainably sourced palm oil, olive oil, sunflower seed oil, and castor seed oil.

The chemistry of cold process soap

Picture this: a cauldron of oils and fats mingling with a dash of lye - the classic components of cold-process soap. That's where the process begins.

This union sets off a chemical reaction known as saponification, giving birth to both soap and glycerin.

But hold onto your broomsticks, because this potion isn't quite ready for your bath-time rituals just yet!

 

Let the curing begin

You have stirred the cauldron, the spell cast, and poured the potion into molds, but the journey has just begun. Curing is the waiting period after forming your soap and plays a crucial role for these reasons:

Curing allows the soap to manifest its full potential

While the saponification reaction starts quickly and is completed in 48h, given that you used the correct amount of lye vs. fats, curing the soap for 30 days ensures your soap becomes milder and kinder to your skin. No spells required!

Evaporation Enchantment

Freshly brewed soap carries a excess water. But as it rests, or, as soapmakers say, cures, that water evaporates like morning mist, leaving behind a harder, more robust bar.

A solid bar is a true spell of endurance, lasting longer and summoning richer lathers. 

From soft and pliable to firm and unyielding, that's the transformation your soap undergoes during curing.

Freshly made soap can be a bit soft and may not hold up well, especially when exposed to water. The magic of time not only makes the soap strong and sturdy but also promises a lavish bathing experience.

 

Scent Sorcery

If you've added fragrance oils or essential oils to your soap, curing is the time when their scents mature and stabilize. This leads to a more consistent and enjoyable aroma when you finally use the soap.

Let's not forget the alluring aroma! If you've added fragrance oils or essential oils to your soap, curing is the time when their scents mature and stabilize.

The result? A soap bar with a scent that's well-rounded and bewitchingly consistent, making your bathing ritual truly enchanting.

 

The Gratifying Payoff

As you count down the days, the 3 to 4 weeks of curing time is the ultimate well-worth enchantment. During this time, the combination of oils and lye transforms into a high-quality gentle soap for your skin.

Whether you're experienced or new, remember that making cold-process soap is an ongoing process, not just mixing it once. Accept the wait, as each day adds to a useful soap that shows your talent and commitment.

Your patience will pay off with a treat for your skin and a feast for your senses.

 

In conclusion

Cold-process soapmaking is where science, art, and a pinch of magic collide.

As you observe the soap gradually transforming, remember the 3 to 4 weeks of curing is a crucial step. This will help the refinement of your soap's journey to nourish and pamper your skin.

So, as the moon rises and falls, remember that patience is your most potent ingredient in this magical soapmaking journey.🌙🔮

Discover more about the Cold Process Soap making and curing here: https://youtu.be/QRjkvua95cs