Cold Process BasicsThe cold process is excellent! With it, you create your soap completely from scratch. These are the basic directions for using the cold process.
1. In a glass bowl, add lye to distilled water mixing slowly.
2. Melt your oils in a stainless steel pot.
3. When the temperatures of the oils and the lye water are close to the same temperature, pour the lye water into the into the oils. This will create the soap mix.
4. Stir the soap mix thoroughly until it reaches "trace".
5. Once the soap mix reaches trace, add the essential oils or fragrances called for by the recipe.
6. Stir the soap mix and pour it into the soap molds.
7. Cover the molds with towels and let them set for twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
8. After the soap has solidified, remove the soap from the mold.
9. Allow the soap to cure for four to six weeks.
That is the basic method for how to make soap. The actual process can be more complicated depending on your recipe and experience level. If you have never made soap before and need more detailed instructions, check out this
step-by-step soap making video.