Updated May 2025
When it comes to making your own soap, two popular methods are Melt and Pour (M&P) and Cold Process (CP). Each has its unique traits, benefits, and quirks, so let’s dive in and see what sets them apart.
Melt and Pour Soap
Melt and Pour is the go-to method for many beginners, and for good reason. Here, you start with a pre-made soap base. You melt it down, add your favorite colors, scents, and extras (like Sweet Almond Oil), then pour it into molds. Easy peasy! This is how I started and still make M&P occasionally.
Why You’ll Love It:
Super Simple: No need to handle lye, which can be a bit intimidating since it’s a caustic substance. This makes M&P a safer bet for newbies.
Quick Results: Your soap sets and is ready to use in just a few hours. Perfect if you’re the impatient type.
Creative Playground: It’s easy to experiment with different colors, fragrances, and fun additives without worrying about messing up the chemistry.
Immediate Gratification: No waiting around for weeks—once it hardens, you can use or gift your soap right away.
The Trade-Offs:
Less Control: Since you’re starting with a pre-made base, you don’t have as much say over the ingredients and overall feel of your soap.
Watch the Heat: You need to be careful not to overheat the base, or it can turn into a rubbery mess.
Transparency: If you’re going to sell this type of soap, you really can’t say it’s handmade because you didn’t make the soap base. These bases come from manufacturers such as Stephensons Personal Care (a U.K. based business) or Crafters Choice (a U.S. based business). “Handcrafted” might be a better word to use.
Cold Process Soap
Cold Process is for those who want to go the whole nine yards. You make soap from scratch using oils, butters, lye (Sodium Hydroxide), and distilled water. It’s a bit more complex but gives you total control over the end product.
It took me a year to build up the courage to try CP soapmaking. I was so scared of using lye that I sweat bullets the first time I made soap from scratch. Afterwards I was like, “What was I so afraid of?!” It was easier than I imagined it would be. Plus I had done a TON of research and took an 8 month soapmaking course before I even attempted to make my own soap. That being said, my first soap loaf was a success and I was immediately hooked.
Why You’ll Love It:
Complete Control: You get to choose every single ingredient, from the oils and butters to the scents and additives, making the soap truly your own.
All-Natural Possibilities: You can keep things completely natural, which is great if you’re into eco-friendly and skin-friendly products.
Long-Lasting Bars: CP soap tends to be denser and harder, so your bars last longer.
The Trade-Offs:
Lye Handling: Working with lye requires careful handling and safety measures, which can be daunting at first. You’ll need safety gear like gloves, eyewear, and a mask so you don’t get burned or inhale the fumes.
Patience is Required: CP soap needs to cure for 4-6 weeks before it’s ready to use. This waiting period can be a downside if you’re eager to see (and use) your creations. You also need to use PH strips at the end of the curing time to make sure your soaps are ready for skin use. FYI: curing means to harden not dry; it is a process of allowing the lye to work its chemistry magic…
…and yes, ALL soaps contain lye, even commercial ones. You can read more about that HERE.
Lastly, There’s More Involved: The CP method requires precise measurements and a good grasp of the chemical process, making it more complex and time-consuming.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re new to soap making or just want something quick and fun, Melt and Pour is your best bet. It’s straightforward, safe, and lets you get creative without much hassle. Plus, you get instant gratification since your soap is ready to use almost immediately.
However, if you’re ready to take the plunge and don’t mind a bit of a challenge, Cold Process might be the way to go. It offers the ultimate control over your ingredients and allows you to create truly personalized, high-quality soaps. Just be prepared to handle lye carefully and wait out the curing period. A great way to understand the chemistry of soap is by reading Kevin Dunn’s Book “Scientific Soapmaking”.
In the end, both Melt and Pour and Cold Process have their own set of perks and challenges. Whether you’re after the simplicity and speed of M&P or the control and customization of CP, both methods are fantastic ways to make beautiful soaps. Happy soap making!