Back To Basics Cold Process Quiz!

1. How long (in general) should cold process soap stay in the mold? How long does it need to cure?

Unmold after 3-4 days. Cure for 4-6 weeks.

Unmold after 3 hours. Cure for 1-2 weeks.

Unmold after 4-6 weeks. Cure for 3-4 days.

Unmold after 7-10 days. Cure for 1-2 weeks.

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Explanation

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2. What does "trace" refer to in soapmaking?

Trace is the point in the soap making process when oils and lye water have emulsified and the mixture begin to thicken.

Trace is the point in the soap making process when oils and lye water will separate.

Trace is the copy of an image or drawing.

Trace is the point in the soap making process when the soap has fully hardened.

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Explanation

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3. Safety gear (goggles, gloves, long sleeves and pants) should be worn throughout the entire soapmaking process.

True

False

Safety gear, such as goggles, gloves, long sleeves, and pants, should be worn during the entire soapmaking process to protect the skin and eyes from potential hazards. This is important because soapmaking involves working with chemicals and hot substances that can cause burns or irritation. Wearing the appropriate safety gear ensures the safety and well-being of the person making the soap.

Explanation

Safety gear, such as goggles, gloves, long sleeves, and pants, should be worn during the entire soapmaking process to protect the skin and eyes from potential hazards. This is important because soapmaking involves working with chemicals and hot substances that can cause burns or irritation. Wearing the appropriate safety gear ensures the safety and well-being of the person making the soap.

4. How should lye and water be mixed together?

Doesn't matter.

Add the lye to the water slowly.

Add the water to the lye slowly.

Dump all the lye into the water.

When mixing lye and water, it is important to add the lye to the water slowly. This is because adding water to lye can cause a violent reaction, resulting in a release of heat and potentially splashing the mixture. By adding the lye to the water slowly, it allows for better control of the reaction and reduces the risk of accidents or injuries.

Explanation

When mixing lye and water, it is important to add the lye to the water slowly. This is because adding water to lye can cause a violent reaction, resulting in a release of heat and potentially splashing the mixture. By adding the lye to the water slowly, it allows for better control of the reaction and reduces the risk of accidents or injuries.

5. Sodium lactate can be added to lye solution to help soap harden faster.

True

False

Sodium lactate, when added to a lye solution, can indeed help soap harden faster. This is because sodium lactate acts as a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. When added to soap, it helps to draw moisture from the air, which in turn helps the soap to harden more quickly.

Explanation

Sodium lactate, when added to a lye solution, can indeed help soap harden faster. This is because sodium lactate acts as a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. When added to soap, it helps to draw moisture from the air, which in turn helps the soap to harden more quickly.

6. Butters and hard oils cause soap to reach a thick trace faster than liquid oils.

True

False

Butters and hard oils have a higher melting point and are solid at room temperature, while liquid oils are in a liquid state. When these solid fats are added to soap making, they contribute to a faster thickening of the soap mixture, known as reaching a "thick trace." This is because the solid fats take longer to melt and incorporate into the soap mixture, causing it to thicken more quickly compared to liquid oils. Therefore, the statement that butters and hard oils cause soap to reach a thick trace faster than liquid oils is true.

Explanation

Butters and hard oils have a higher melting point and are solid at room temperature, while liquid oils are in a liquid state. When these solid fats are added to soap making, they contribute to a faster thickening of the soap mixture, known as reaching a "thick trace." This is because the solid fats take longer to melt and incorporate into the soap mixture, causing it to thicken more quickly compared to liquid oils. Therefore, the statement that butters and hard oils cause soap to reach a thick trace faster than liquid oils is true.

7. What are the most preferred soapmaking temperatures?

120-130 degrees F, no matter what the recipe.

120-130 degrees F. But, it will depend on the recipe!

50-60 degrees F.

200-200 degrees F.

The most preferred soapmaking temperatures are 120-130 degrees F, but it will depend on the recipe. Different soap recipes may require slight variations in temperature to achieve the desired results.

Explanation

The most preferred soapmaking temperatures are 120-130 degrees F, but it will depend on the recipe. Different soap recipes may require slight variations in temperature to achieve the desired results.

8. Olive Oil, coconut oil and palm oil are considered the three most common soapmaking oils. Each give cold process soap different properties. What are they?

Coconut oil is green, palm oil is yellow and olive oil is clear.

Olive oil is cleansing, coconut oil is firm and palm oil is gentle.

Olive oil and palm oil are soft, coconut oil is firm.

Olive oil is gentle, coconut oil is cleansing and palm oil is firm.

Olive oil is gentle on the skin and provides a moisturizing effect. Coconut oil has strong cleansing properties and helps to remove dirt and impurities from the skin. Palm oil adds firmness to the soap and helps it to lather well.

Explanation

Olive oil is gentle on the skin and provides a moisturizing effect. Coconut oil has strong cleansing properties and helps to remove dirt and impurities from the skin. Palm oil adds firmness to the soap and helps it to lather well.

9. What does "gel phase" do to cold process soap?

Gel phase causes the soap to saponify.

Gel phase causes colors to look dull and lackluster.

Gel phase gives soap a shiny, more translucent appearance. It also helps colors to appear brighter.

Gel phase has no effect on cold process soap.

During the gel phase in cold process soap making, the soap undergoes a chemical reaction called saponification. This reaction transforms the fats and oils in the soap into soap molecules. Additionally, the gel phase gives the soap a shiny and more translucent appearance. It also enhances the brightness of the colors used in the soap.

Explanation

During the gel phase in cold process soap making, the soap undergoes a chemical reaction called saponification. This reaction transforms the fats and oils in the soap into soap molecules. Additionally, the gel phase gives the soap a shiny and more translucent appearance. It also enhances the brightness of the colors used in the soap.

10. What most likely happened to this soap, to cause soda ash on top?

The soap got extremely hot.

The soap was not insulated or sprayed with 99% alcohol.

The soap did not fully emulsify.

The fragrance oil is what causes soda ash.

The most likely explanation for the soda ash on top of the soap is that it was not insulated or sprayed with 99% alcohol. Insulation or spraying the soap with alcohol helps to prevent the formation of soda ash, which is a common occurrence in soap making. When the soap is not properly insulated or sprayed with alcohol, it can be exposed to air and moisture, which can result in the formation of soda ash on the surface of the soap.

Explanation

The most likely explanation for the soda ash on top of the soap is that it was not insulated or sprayed with 99% alcohol. Insulation or spraying the soap with alcohol helps to prevent the formation of soda ash, which is a common occurrence in soap making. When the soap is not properly insulated or sprayed with alcohol, it can be exposed to air and moisture, which can result in the formation of soda ash on the surface of the soap.