If you've ever wondered what makes handmade soap different, you may have come across the term cold process soap.
But what exactly does it mean?
Cold process soap is one of the most traditional methods of making soap. It involves combining carefully selected oils and butters with an alkali, allowing them to transform naturally through a process called saponification.
At Kleensoaps, it's the method we use to make every bar.
A little history of cold process soap
Soapmaking is an ancient craft, with evidence of soap-like substances dating back thousands of years to ancient Mesopotamia. Over centuries, soapmakers across Europe and the Mediterranean refined the craft, using locally available oils, fats and botanicals to create cleansing bars.
Cold process soap belongs to this long tradition of artisan soapmaking. Rather than using prolonged heat to speed up the process, the ingredients are allowed to transform naturally before the soap is left to cure.
It's a beautifully simple process - and one that has stood the test of time.
How is cold process soap made?
1. Oils and butters
Every recipe begins with its ingredients. Different oils and butters influence the hardness, lather and feel of the finished bar. At Kleensoaps, we use carefully selected plant-based oils and butters to create our formulations.
2. Saponification
The oils and butters are combined with a carefully measured alkali solution. This begins saponification - the natural chemical reaction that transforms the oils and alkali into soap and naturally occurring glycerin, which moisturises your skin.
3. Essential oils and botanicals
Once the soap mixture reaches the right stage, we add ingredients such as pure essential oils and botanicals. These give each recipe its individual scent, a fine balance of natural fragrances.
4. Pouring and cutting
The soap is poured into moulds and left to set. Once firm, each large block is hand-cut into individual bars. But the soap isn't ready just yet.
5. The vital cure
This is where patience matters.
Cold process soap needs time to rest and cure. As excess water gradually evaporates, the bars become harder, more durable and longer-lasting. At Kleensoaps, we cure our soaps for at least six weeks as a minimum.
Curing allows the soap to develop its final texture and hardness while becoming more durable in use. A well-cured bar can also develop a wonderfully creamy lather. It's one of the things that makes handmade soap such a pleasure to use.
Is cold process soap always natural?
Cold process describes how soap is made, not necessarily what ingredients are used. A cold process soap can contain many different ingredients, so it's important to look at the formulation too.
At Kleensoaps, we use plant-based oils, butters, botanicals and pure essential oils. We don't use palm oil, parabens, synthetic colours or synthetic fragrances.
Why we choose to cold process our soaps
There are faster ways to make soap, but we prefer this traditional method because it allows us to work in small batches and pour care into every recipe. For us, good soap starts with good ingredients, great recipes, and time.
Traditional soapmaking, thoughtfully made for modern life.
