Quote:
I use the cold process method.
Differences:
The hot process begins by adding lye to water. This simple step is actually slightly dangerous, since people who accidentally add water to lye will inadvertently cause a minor explosion; the lye must be added to the water, not the other way around. Next, the lye mixture is added to heated fat. Some people like to do this in their crockpot. The mixture is stirred for a while before adding any desired extras, such as the aforementioned oatmeal, dye, orange peel, etcetera. The mixture is then stirred a little more to make sure that everything is evenly distributed before being poured into molds.
The cold process is very similar to the hot process, except that the mixture is not heated throughout the entire stirring process; the fat is heated, but the lye, water, and fat mixture is not heated. Some people claim that the cold process produces a soap that is softer on skin.
Both the cold and the hot process rely on lye, which is a very dangerous chemical that can burn skin on contact and is fatal if ingested. Therefore, people who use lye to make soap need to be very careful and follow detailed directions. Many people have tried to find a way to make soap without using lye, but this is impossible. Even the soap in the melt and pour soap kits was processed with lye, although people using these kits do not have to handle the lye themselves.
People have been asking me how to make soap and I don't think they understand just how dangerous it actually is. I once got lye vapors on my finger (this was poisonous steam) and I had to sleep with my hand in a bowl of ice water that night. My finger was red and swollen for a week. I suggest to those who want to make your own soap for fun or gifts, go to a craft store and buy a melt and pour kit. The soap is just melted and poured into molds and can be used the very next day when it's dry. You can not sell melt and pour soap for profit because anyone can make it, but it is fun to make.
