Soap Making Supplies

There are three primary methods used across the industry:

• Melt & Pour (M&P) – ready-made base that you melt, add fragrance/colour, and pour.
• Cold Process (CP) – traditional method using oils and sodium hydroxide (lye).
• Hot Process (HP) – like cold process but cooked, speeding up saponification.
• Liquid Soap – Liquid form, often comes in a bottle with a pump.

Each method suits different production needs depending on volume, customisation, and speed

Melt & Pour (M&P) soap is a pre-made, saponified soap base that can be melted down, customised, and poured into moulds. It’s ideal for: • Fast production • Small batch craft makers • Teaching workshops • Creating intricate designs • No lye handling is required.

You can add:

• Fragrance oils or essential oils
• Colourants (mica, liquid dyes, botanical powders)
• Botanical additives (lavender buds, poppy seeds)
• Cosmetic ingredients (oils, butters—sparingly)

Avoid high-water ingredients that may cause sweating or instability.

M&P bases often contain glycerine, which attracts moisture. This can result in surface “dew.”
Prevent by:

• Wrapping bars tightly in shrink wrap
• Using a low-glycerine or “no sweat” base
• Storing in low-humidity environments

Cold Process (CP) soap is made by mixing oils/fats with sodium hydroxide (lye) which triggers saponification. This method allows for full control over:

• Ingredients
• Fats/oils
• Superfat levels
• Additives
• Advanced designs

Cold Process soap requires 4–6 weeks to cure.
This improves:

• Hardness
• Lather
• Mildness
• Longevity

“Trace” describes the moment when oils and lye water emulsify and thicken.
Stages include:

• Light trace – thin batter for swirls
• Medium trace – layering
• Thick trace – moulding, embedding, rustic styles

Yes, but choose products CP-stable.
Some fragrances accelerate trace or discolor due to vanilla content.
Always test in small batches.

Hot Process (HP) is like CP but uses heat (via crockpot, oven, or stovetop) to accelerate saponification.
Advantages:

• Soap can be used almost immediately
• Rustic, textured appearance
• Faster production

HP soap is technically usable straight away, but a 1–2 week cure improves:

• Hardness
• Lather
• Moisture content

Yes — this is a major HP benefit.
Since saponification is complete, fragrances are added at cooler temperatures, reducing discolouration or scent loss.

Superfatting is leaving extra oils in the recipe that do NOT saponify.
Benefits:

• Skin nourishing
• Creamier feel
• Enhanced marketing value

Typical levels: 3–8% depending on the formula

Common oils include:

• Coconut oil – cleansing, lather
• Olive oil – mild, conditioning
• Shea butter – creamy feel
• Palm oil – hardness, stable lather
• Castor oil – boosts bubbles

Each oil affects hardness, cleansing, lather, and conditioning.

Lye (sodium hydroxide) is essential for soap making—no lye, no soap.
It is safe when handled with:

• Gloves
• Goggles
• Proper ventilation
• Correct measurement

Once saponified, lye is no longer present in finished soap.

Yes, but ensure they are soap-safe and compliant with IFRA standards.
Cold process requires fragrances that tolerate high pH and heat.
Melt & Pour and Hot Process are more forgiving

For UK/EU trade, you need:

• CLP for any fragranced products
• SDS for raw materials
• IFRA documentation for fragrance oils
• Product Safety Reports (CPSR) for CP or HP soaps you manufacture

Soap should be stored in:

• Cool, dry, well-ventilated areas
• Away from humidity (especially M&P)
• Away from direct sunlight
• Shelved with batch numbers for traceability

Typically, 12–24 months, depending on:

• Ingredients
• Storage conditions
• Fragrance stability
• Superfat levels

Higher superfat = shorter shelf life.