Soap Making Instructions

Melt and Pour Soap Instructions

Melting

You can melt the soap base in a double boiler or the microwave. If you choose the microwave, make sure you cover the bowl you are melting the soap base in with plastic wrap. This keeps the excess moisture from evaporating out. I use a Pyrex measuring cup with a pour spout. Cut the amount of soap base you want to use into small chunks and simply melt the base on high for about 20 seconds and gently stir. Continue 20 seconds at a time until the entire soap base is melted. Do not heat above 160 degrees Fahrenheit, or the base will have an odd odor.

If you use a double boiler, simply bring the water to a boil and put the soap base into the melting pan (not the water!!). Cover, turn the heat to low, and melt the soap base.

Colorant

If you want to add color, add it right after the soap base is melted. Add a very small amount of the color chip to the melted soap base, and stir gently. Slowly add color until the desired shade is achieved.

Fragrance, Additives, and Botanicals

If you add fragrance oil, add it after the soap base is melted and about ready to pour into the molds. A little fragrance goes a long way in soaps!! One tablespoon per pound of soap base is all you need, or one to one and a half teaspoons for half a pound of soap base, etc. (One pipette holds ½ teaspoon). Strength of fragrance is a personal choice, so start with a very small amount and move up from there.

Additives such as exfoliates and Vitamin E (puncture & squeeze capsule to release the oil) can be added any time after the soap base is melted.

Some botanicals (mint leaves, eucalyptus, lavender flowers) can slowly turn your soap an amber color as it ages. To avoid this, put the botanicals in a cup and pour boiling water over them. Let them steep for quite awhile. Pour the botanical into a strainer, rinse with hot water. They can now be added to the soap base. You may want to remove the stems on the chamomile flowers, as they turn a dark brown in the soap.

When adding botanicals, use them sparingly or they may cloud the soap. Stir gently, and continue to stir until the additives or botanicals no longer sink to the bottom. Pour into molds. (Your soap base will be cooling, so pour quickly). You do not need to do this with the clear soap base, as it is a suspension formula. Just add your botanicals or exfoliates, stir, and pour into molds.

Pouring into Molds

Pour your soap base into the molds. Spray the top with rubbing alcohol to remove any excess bubbles, or you can gently smooth them off after the soap is set.

Releasing from Molds & Storage

Once the soap is cooled and hard (a few hours), you can release the soap from the molds. Gently squeeze and twist the molds and push the soap out. If this does not work, you can put the molds into the freezer for 15 minutes and try again.

If you are not going to use the soap right away, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. (If you are adding a label to your soap, the FDA does not require a list of ingredients at this time).

Mistakes

Don't worry if you make a mistake like not pouring before the soap sets, adding too much color, etc. Sometimes the mistakes are the prettiest and most original soap! You can always remelt the set up soap so you can pour again. You can also just scoop it into the mold, and pour hot soap base over the top for an eye catching result!!