When learning about soapmaking there are a few terms you
will come across. This page will help you understand them.
M&P (Melt and Pour): This refers to
the glycerin soap bases that you can puchase in craft stores
and other places. Cut them up, heat them in the microwave
or over a double boiler and pour them into molds (adding
something fun along the way).
CP (Cold Process): When using this process,
soap is made by combining fats with lye and water at high
temperatures. This is a popular method among soapmaker because
they have more control over the final product.
HP (Hot Process): A soapmaking process
that is similar to cold process, but once the fats are mixed
with the water and lye the mixture is cooked to have more
control over the final product. A little more involved than
cold process.
EO (Essential Oil): The fragrant oil that
is extracted from a particular plant. Essential oils can
be added to soap for a more natural fragrance. These oils
have aromatherapy properties that are generally lost in
the soapmaking process, but can be beneficial in lotions
and other products that do not go through that chemical
process.
FO (Fragrance Oil): A combination of synthetic
and/or natural fragrances. You can purchase fragrance oils
that have been tested for cold process soapmaking. Using
a tested fragrance will help avoid unplanned chemical reactions.
Saponification: The chemical change that
takes place when oils and sodium hydroxide (lye) are combined
using the soapmaking process.
Superfatting: Adding a small percentage
of fat to your soap that will not be used up in the saponification
process. This leavea s small percentage of fat in your end
prouduct that adds mildness to your soap. Superfatting at
a ratio of between 5% and 8% will give your soap the desired
mildness without making it too soft.
Free Fat: The extra fat that is left in
your soap, and not saponified, when you use a recipe that
is superfatted.
