Why do most soap companies use hot process?

I want to know if in commercial soap making it’s more profitable to use hot process and if yes, what’s increasing the soap quantity in hot process? I really will like to use cold process but I don’t know why most commercial companies are using hot process and if it’s because of profit. Thanks.
-Daniel from Yenagoa, Nigeria

 

Hello Daniel,
Thanks for thinking about soap.

Soap is a crystal (see my video). The mildest and all around BEST quality soap is properly made cold process bar soap. A world class bar needs world class crystal structure, ie uniform, medium-sized, laminar crystals. Also a certain degree of extra oil or super fat. Speeding the reaction with heat energy saves time — it runs counter to my thinking. The mega companies will always make a cheaper product; gourmet or boutique houses have to compete on skin feel and anti-inflammatory rather than irritating results.

Time is a factor in soap crystal growth. Rushing the process yields larger crystals that lather quick, fade quick and are more irritating.

We make a type of semi boiled vegetable oil soap by our own in-house developed proprietary process. This is a Castile type soap most suited for non toxic cleaners and pump foamers. We also have liquid versions that we turn into gel soap.

Hope this helps. Keep thinking!

Larry Plesent aka Soapman