How to Make Cold Process Soap: Basic Terms, Episode 2

[LOVeMuhammad4ever]

also is there a reason you do cold process soap making and not hot? im more interested in the hot process bc the results are quicker but am saddened i cant learn that from you :) youre just amazing!

[LOVeMuhammad4ever]

can the soap calculator be used to also figure out shampoo bar recipes since they contain lye as well?

[fnasring]

Does all soap containing lye have to be cured for the weeks time? I've seen videos where the person uses it when it becomes solid. That kind of scares me.

[thegirlygirl233]

Everything is beautifully explained! This is the best go-to video to learn about cold process soap. I have got to tell my friends that I will be a soap maker!

[zdenil]

hi, i was buying Lye but it is look like a small grains, can I use it also for a soap?

[soapqueentv]

@zdenil Lye does come in a few different forms. As long as it doesn't have any metals or other things added to it, it is fine to use for making soap. 

[LavenderLites]

would like to know the shelf life of homemade soaps...thnx :)

[soapqueentv]

@LavenderLites I have heard of cold process soap lasting for 20 years. But in general I would say you should use it within one year for the best results.

[PsychosomaticChick]

Hello Soap Queen, It is possiblr to just use a store-bought soap and melt it to recreate a different shape or such? (: thanks

[soapqueentv]

@PsychosomaticChick Most store bought soaps do not melt down the way M&P bases do. So I wouldn't recommend it.

[ViennaLaughs]

Hi, how long of a shelf life does handmade soap usually have?

[soapqueentv]

@ViennaLaughs I have heard of cold process soap lasting for 20 years. But in general I would say you should use it within one year for the best results.

[NancyToday]

Can you imagine being in such a clean and organized environment! Amazing.

[amisstarr]

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to add coconut oil/shea butter/cocoa butter/etc to soap bases instead (using the melt and pour technique as opposed to the cold process technique)?

[soapqueentv]

@amisstarr I usually don't recommend adding extra oils or butters to M&P soap because it usually just reduces the lather and makes a soft and squishy bar. Instead I would choose something like a Shea Butter base that already has the qualities you are looking for incorporated into the soap.

However, if you did want to try it anyway (experimenting can be fun!) I would add just a few tablespoons of melted butter to the melted soap base and mix well before pouring into the mold.

[chinewmarie]

THANKS I MADE SOAP ONE TIME AN IT WAS WONDERFUL! I AM READY TO GET BACK INTO IT. AND I NEVER KNEW WHAT SODA ASH WAS EVEN THOUGH I NEVER HAD IT ON MY LAST BATCH OF CP SOAP! GOOD TO LEARN! I AM GOING TO ORDER YOUR OATMEAL MILK AND HONEY FRAGRANCE FIRST! MUCH SUCCESS TO YOU ANNE IN ALL OF YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS!

[happytresor]

could u please do a tutorial on how to make shampoo base with natural basics?

[soapqueentv]

@happytresor Makign liquid soap from scratch is a bit more complicated than making conditioner or Cold Process soap. I do have a book and a video that you can purchase on the Bramble Berry website that takes you through all of the steps, if you'd like to try it out. Happy Soaping!

[ricangem28]

Hello Soap Queen, I noticed there are different grades of lye. Which grade is best for soap making?

[soapqueentv]

@ricangem28 The Sodium Hydroxide you use should be at least 96% pure and should have no additives. Some drain cleaners out there have metal flakes added - which is no good in soap! ~ Anne-Marie

[karameldreem]

what does it mean when a recipe asks for 20 ounces of water?

[soapqueentv]

@karameldreem That's a good question! Although water volume and weight are the same - so 20 fluid ounces of water and 20 weighed ounces of water will be the same - I always weigh my water just like my oils and other ingredients. It's a good habit to get into and it will be the most accurate.

Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie

[starlovegirl24]

IT takes a month just to make like 14 bars of soap ......

[soapqueentv]

@starlovegirl24 Actually you can make as many bars as you like at once. And the month is just curing time - you don't need to do anything just leave it alone!

But if you need instant gratification- definitely check out my M&P soap tutorials. You can use those as soon as they come out of the mold!

[nadoop]

@soapqueentv How about liquid soap?

[soapqueentv]

@nadoop Making liquid soap from scratch is a much more involved process. So that's why I wrote a book and made an extended, premium video on how to make liquid soap - which you can find on the Bramble Berry site.

Anne-Marie

[balletlgirl]

how do you make clear melt and pour soap? I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!

[soapqueentv]

@balletlgirl Making your own Melt & Pour base is possible - but pretty complicated. I would start with learning how to make Cold Process soap and then get a book like 'How to Make Melt & Pour Base from Scratch' by Kayla Fioravanti to learn the complex but achievable process of making your own M&P base.

[qweaz987]

how can we make the soap shown at 1:28?

[soapqueentv]

@qweaz987 That blue, purple, and yellow soap is an advanced swirl technique. I have a video you can purchase showing how to do it step-by-step at Bramble Berry, my online store.

But before jumping in - I highly recommend making a few batches of basic cold process soap first to really get the hang of it and be perfectly comfortable with the steps.

Happy Soaping!

[mreinstein48]

By the way, you are prettier with your bang!!! Happy soapy!

[msanjanetta]

How long do your cold process soaps cure for? Thanks

[soapqueentv]

@msanjanetta As I explained in this video, I recommend leaving your soap to cure for 4 to 6 weeks.

Happy Soaping!

Anne-Marie

[ameenescence]

Now that I've watched it over after you mentioned the changes, I do see them :) I LOVE these videos :D

[Baritny92]

are you going to do anymore melt and pour soap episodes?

[ameenescence]

Wasn't this uploaded several weeks ago?? I feel like I've seen this episode before.

[migdany]

@ameenescence I agree, this was uploaded as part 2 but it is the same as part 1, I want the minutes it took me to realize its a double up back! lol They cheated us!

[soapqueentv]

@migdany Actually this is different than the first video in the series. That one is called 'How to Make Cold Process Soap: Lye Safety and Ingredients' - and this one is the Basic Terms episode. But as I mentioned this is a re-posted version of the Basic Terms episode with more emphasis on the safety aspects of working with Lye.

[soapqueentv]

@ameenescence This is a revised version of this video. We had a few comments and concerns that we didn't emphasize the safety precautions when working with Lye. So we revised the video and re-loaded it. Unfortunately, You Tube won't allow you to replace or update a video you've already posted - so we had to delete and upload. Sorry for the confusion! Let me know what you think of the changes. :)

Anne-Marie