cold method
Quick Summary
The cold method of soapmaking involves mixing melted fats or oils with an alkali solution, such as sodium hydroxide, without further heating. A key characteristic of this method is using slightly less alkali than theoretically required. This leaves a small amount of unsaponified fat or oil in the final soap, acting as a superfatting agent. The mixture is agitated until it thickens, then poured into frames to saponify and solidify. This process is technically simple and requires minimal machinery, making it ideal for small-scale production.123
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