hot process vs cold process - questions

**NaturalJo** · 03-31-2008, 03:44 PM

I enjoy making melt and pour soaps but have also been interested in making the "old fashioned" way. Can someone who has done both answer the following...
is making it from scratch more expensive to make or less?
What is the difference in the quality of the soap between the methods?
Do any chain stores sell lye?
Thanks!

**cab54** · 03-31-2008, 04:05 PM

I have not been able to find lye anywhere near me anymore. (they're hiding it from meth lab folks)

I have started ordering it from this soapmaking co.

http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/

Scan down the list on the left of page till you come to Lye and potash. You will want SODIUM hydroxide, not potassium.

May I recommend the book "The Handmade Soap Book, by Melinda Coss.

**magaka** · 03-31-2008, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by NaturalJo

I enjoy making melt and pour soaps but have also been interested in making the "old fashioned" way. Can someone who has done both answer the following...
is making it from scratch more expensive to make or less?
What is the difference in the quality of the soap between the methods?
Do any chain stores sell lye?
Thanks!

I am guessing you mean melt & pour vs "old fashioned"? Because Hot process is more for liquid soap, from my understanding and then cold process is the bar soap....I am just learning on this subject and have been reading.

I too wonder about the cost of making it and if it is frugal along with healthier. It seems to me that the melt & Pour would not end up being very frugal as far as from buying already made soap at the store-but might be "healthier"? And I can find online prices to be lower, but then when you add shipping it goes way too far.

I have been told that you can buy lye at Lowes and Home Depot, but have not made it to the store yet to confirm for myself. I am interested to see what all responses you receive on the costs though!

**zakity** · 03-31-2008, 08:06 PM

I found lye in the plumbing department at Ace. It was near the stuff that you use to clean out the drains.

**peanut** · 09-01-2008, 08:16 PM

I know this thread is old, but I just checked it and wanted to say the melt and pour soaps seem to run about $3 a bar. We had an initial investment of about $50 for everything for DD#2 when she got into traditional soapmaking five years ago. We are still getting soap from those supplies. So yeah, I'd say it's cheaper. We had several dozen bars from the supplies so far.

I found Lye in the laundry detergent aisle when we bought it. Also in the drug store. But I haven't bought any in a couple of years...

What I'm curious about is whether anyone's tried to reclaim their own lye by leaching out wood ashes? Now that would be an interesting experiment!

Jean

**madhen** · 09-08-2008, 12:16 AM

I just made some soap the old way, and I got my lye at Ace, as well. You can also get it on-line at Essential Depot.

I have a relatively current book about soap-making, and it estimates the cost of making it the old fashioned way, not counting the initial investment of equipment (molds and such) at approx .82/bar.