Handmade cold process soap takes time. Unlike mass-produced commercial soaps that are manufactured quickly, traditional soap making is a slow craft that requires patience.
At The Good Soap, every bar we make in our North Wales workshop is cured for a minimum of four weeks before it is ready to use. Some of our gentlest soaps, including our baby soaps, cure for over eight weeks.
That curing time is essential for creating a high-quality natural soap that is mild, long-lasting and beautifully lathering.
How Cold Process Soap Is Made
All of our soap bars are made using the traditional cold process method.
Cold process soap is created by combining:
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natural oils and butters
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a liquid such as water or milk
When these ingredients are mixed together they begin a chemical reaction called saponification. During this reaction the oils and lye transform into real soap and natural glycerine.
Once the soap mixture is poured into moulds it begins to harden. After around 24 hours the bars can be removed from their moulds and cut.
But at this stage the soap is not yet ready to use. It still needs time to cure.
What Happens During the Soap Curing Process
After unmoulding, our soaps are placed on shelves in our curing room where air can circulate around them. This curing space sits just next to my bedroom — which means the house is often filled with the wonderful scent of freshly made soap!
During curing several important things happen:
1. Water slowly evaporates
Fresh soap contains a significant amount of water. Over several weeks this moisture slowly evaporates, making the bar harder and longer lasting.
2. The soap becomes milder
As the curing process continues the soap becomes gentler on the skin. This is why properly cured handmade soap feels much softer and kinder than many commercial soaps.
3. The bar becomes stronger
A longer curing time creates a harder, more durable soap bar that lasts longer in the shower or by the sink.
4. The lather improves
Curing allows the soap structure to develop fully, producing a creamier and more stable lather.
The Science Behind Soap Curing
Although we think of soap as a solid bar, scientifically it is more complex than that.
Soap contains a mixture of:
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soap crystals
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water
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glycerine
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soluble compounds
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soap molecules
In freshly made soap, these components are loosely structured and contain a larger liquid phase. As curing continues, water evaporates and the internal structure of the soap changes.
The soap crystals pack together more tightly, creating a stronger crystalline structure. This process results in a bar that produces better lather and lasts much longer.
Certain fatty acids present in soap — particularly stearic and palmitic acids — contribute to the rich bubbly lather we associate with high-quality handmade soap. As curing progresses these elements become better balanced within the soap structure.
The result is a better performing and more luxurious bar of soap.
Why Handmade Soap Needs Time
Many people are surprised that handmade soap takes four to eight weeks before it can be used.
But this slower process is exactly what makes traditional soap so special.
By allowing our soaps to cure properly we ensure they are:
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mild and gentle on the skin
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long lasting in use
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beautifully lathering
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high quality natural soap bars
It’s one of the reasons handmade soap often feels so much better than mass-produced alternatives.
Handmade Soap From Our North Wales Workshop
Here at The Good Soap, every bar is made by hand in our garden workshop in North Wales.
Our range includes:
After making, each batch rests carefully on curing shelves until it reaches the perfect stage before being wrapped and sent out to customers.
Good soap simply cannot be rushed.
Did You Know?
The professional name for a soap maker is a Soaper.
It might not sound very glamorous, but here at The Good Soap we are extremely proud to be traditional soap makers!
By Dawn Rhodes
The Good Soap
https://the-good-soap.co.uk