Melt-and-pour soap making is an inexpensive and fun way to start making soap. While some people prefer to make soap using cold-process soap making, others are happy with melt and pour soap. This project allows you to be creative and mix different fragrances.
Gather all your ingredients, equipment, and materials. Make sure you have a notebook or pad of paper handy so that you can take notes and make any changes to the recipe. Make sure the fragrance oil that you select is safe for you and your family.
Instructions
Measure The Soap Base And Cut It Into Pieces
Place the glass measuring cup on a scale and zero the weight.
You can cut the melt-and-pour soap base into small pieces and then place them in the container until you have the amount that your mold can hold. It doesn’t matter if you have a few tenths or more of an ounce.
In The Microwave, Melt The Soap Base
Wrap the container in plastic wrap. This will prevent the soap base from drying out during heating.
The soap can be heated in the microwave for a few seconds at a stretch. Stir the soap. It will become thick and chunky. Continue heating the soap base for about a minute until all of the chunks have disappeared and the soap has melted completely.
It took approximately four minutes for these two pounds of soap base to melt completely. However, your microwave and soap base may be different.
You can melt the soap base in a double boiler if you don’t want to use a microwave.
When completely melted, most soap bases will reach 150°F. Be careful not to burn yourself.
Use Essential Oil Or Fragrance To Add Fragrance
While the soap heats, place your fragrance ramekin on the scale to zero out the weight. Your essential oil or fragrance should be measured into the ramekin. You can use 0.4-ounces fragrance per pound. You can generally use 2 to 3 percent per pound of soap. If you use a strong or light fragrance oil, you can adjust the amount.
This example used plain lavender essential oils, which is about 0.4-ounce per one-pound. The two-pound batch weighed 0.8 ounces.
After measuring your fragrance and taking the soap out of the microwave, add it slowly to the melted soap base. Stir gently.
Add Color
You can add color to soap by using soap/skin-safe dyes and micas.
Be aware that soap-safe dyes tend to be weaker than candles dyes. You’ll need to use more wax than you would with the same amount.
Combine red and blue safe dyes to create an indigo color (about 10 drops each).
Mix The Melted Soap
To fully incorporate the color and fragrance, gently stir the soap.
Do not stir the soap too much or it will cause bubbles.
Bubbles can be removed by spraying a little rubbing alcohol on the area.
Put the Melted, Colored, and Fragranced Soap into the Mold
Slowly pour the soap into molds.
Avoid Splashing The Soap
You’re done for now. Move the mold carefully to a safe location, wrap in plastic wrap and begin cleaning.
It should take only a few hours to mold the soap. This can be done quickly by placing the mold in the fridge, but do not freeze it.
The soap will cool completely on the counter for several hours or in the fridge for about an hour.
Make The Soap
Write down your results while you wait for the soaps to harden. Keep track of details such as how many drops you used of color, the fragrance you used, and how much base was left. These notes can help you replicate the results or remind you of any mistakes.
Once the soap has hardened completely, you can remove the bars from the mold. Some molds are easy to release, while others can be more difficult. Sometimes, tapping the mold with your palm or using a large spoon can help.
To make a stubborn bar, turn the mold upside down and pour hot water on the back. The soap should easily fall out of the mold.