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Although there are several different methods
of soap making, our method, which is referred to as
cold process soap making, is one of the oldest and
most tried and true methods in use.
To understand the cold process soap making
method, you must first understand what soap actually is.
Chemically speaking, soap is a salt. An acid
and a base react with one another and are neutralized to
form a salt or soap. A more basic explanation is: oils
or fats combine with Sodium Hydroxide or “Lye” in a
process called saponification to produce soap.
Fatty Acid (oil) + Base (lye) = “A Salt”
(soap)
Often
described as a ‘dance’ the term ‘saponification’ refers
to the process in which one lye molecule hooks up with
one fat molecule. They do their thing and we get soap.
Our
soap making process begins with distilled water and lye
combined in one container and set aside to cool, as the
mixture will get quite hot. In another container,
various plant oils are combined and heated gently until
they are melted. When both combinations reach the
predetermined/matching temperature they are combined
into one container.
The new mixture is stirred until it is
thoroughly blended together. A thickening or ‘tracing’
will occur and this is when it is ready to pour into a
mold.
Tracing is a term used in cold process soap making that
refers to the point at which you can dip a spoon into
the liquid soap mixture, pull it out and then drizzle a
few drops onto the top of the soap. The drizzled liquid
will leave a ‘trace’ of itself before disappearing back
into the mixture.
Most often at this time, we will add
additional emollient oils for their vitamin and
moisturizing properties. In cold process soap making,
this is most often referred to as ‘superfatting’. These
additional oils do not react or ‘saponify’ with the lye
mixture (they have no lye molecule to ‘dance’ with),
which leaves them in their natural state to benefit your
skin.
It is also at this time that we add essential
oils, botanicals, and/or herbs to some batches of our
natural handmade soap,. Frequently, vitamins such as
Vitamin E, minerals and/or anti-oxidants are added to
the recipes. Our soaps may include ingredients from
botanical, terrestrial, and aquatic sources, combined to
provide gentle cleansing in a form that is pleasing to
the senses.
When all additives have been included, the
“traced” blend is poured into moulds. These are then
set aside and insulated for warmth. This will prevent
any chance of rapid cooling and possible cracking.
During the next 24-48 hours, the fusion will continue to
saponify.
After 1 or 2 days in the mould, the soap is
removed and trimmed into bars. The soap is then set
aside for at least 4 to 6 weeks to continue the
neutralization process. By the end of the 4 to 6 weeks,
it is tested for ph levels, and if the bars have a ph
between 5 and 8, depending on the purpose of the bar, it
is ready to be sold. If the ph remains too high for the
purpose, i.e. a baby bar would not be optimum at a ph of
8, it is set back to continue curing for another few
weeks.
When the soap is ready for sale, we are left
with a product that is gentle and 100% natural because
it does not contain any detergents or harsh chemicals.
We choose our ingredients thoughtfully,
considering every benefit or effect they may impart on
the final product. Some ingredients lend hardness to
the bar, some create more lather, others moisturize.
Our additives are chosen for their
contributing effects as well. Some are therapeutic,
while others are selected for their esthetic qualities.
By using different combinations of oils and
additives, we are able to produce many different bars of
soap. From a basic Castile soap which uses the same
recipe used for centuries, to our Muddy Dog natural
shampoo bar for your dog that contains essential oils to
ward off mosquitoes – we have a natural handmade bar of
soap for everyone.
We have extremely high standards for our
finished product and the process that is involved in
creating it. With the one exception of beeswax which is
used in a few of our products, we use only plant based
ingredients. This makes all of our soaps vegetarian and
the majority of them vegan. As we do list every
ingredient used in every single product, there is never
any doubt about what your are putting on your skin.
Our products are not tested on animals, unless
of course you count family, friends, and our own two
dogs. They receive many, many treats for their
experimental efforts – the dogs, not the family or
friends. Our human volunteers are rewarded with free
soap and product samples.
We make every effort to use organic or wild
crafted products when available, and we avoid all
synthetics. Our products are also paraben and phthalate
free. As stated previously, we list all of our
ingredients for every single product for your
convenience and peace of mind.
While it is true that there are several
different methods of soap making, and many, many
different ingredients to choose from, we feel that our
line of natural handmade soap is the product which will
fulfill all of your natural skin care needs.
After many years of research, and many
different trials, we have found that the cold process
soap making method, combined with our chosen superior
ingredients, will provide you and your family with the
highest quality natural skin care products and natural
handmade soap.
We are sure that you will agree that it just
feels good – naturally. |
