Cold saponification process.
In our laboratory we produce soap using the cold saponification process with certain small modifications.
The term "cold method" is not completely accurate because a small amount of heat is required to start the reaction. Likewise, we need an amount of heat to liquefy vegetable fats that are solid at room temperature (e.g. cocoa butter).
The oils are heated or melted if they are solid at room temperature and the sodium hydroxide is dissolved in distilled water. When both ingredients reach the temperature of 40-45 °C are combined together into a container (cratcher).
The mixture is stirred until tracing and the temperature is maintained constant without further heating due to the fact that the reaction of saponification is exothermic and gives heat into the environment.
At tracing, we may add additional emollient oils for their vitamin and moisturizing properties such as beurre de karité (shea butter), essential oils, vegetable dyes or mineral colors to perfume and color the soap.
The glycerol-natural emollient -produced as a by-product of the reaction is not removed and remains in the soap improving its quality.
We do not use chemical preservatives.
When all additives have been included, the soap paste is poured into moulds and left aside for 24 hours at a constant temperature. The insulation peeriod allows the soap to heat up and saponify further.
After a few 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 free alkali, total fatty matters and for unsaponifiables.
The environmental cost of cold saponification process is minimal and it comes only from the utilisation of heat. Another advantage of the method is the lack of liquid waste.
Soap production
