Melt and pour soap making is fun and easy. You do need to know a few things that will help you make the best soap possible. Here are a few things I’ve learned as a soap maker.
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The easiest way to use melt and pour soap is to melt it in a microwave. Melt and pour soap is sold in blocks so you’ll need to chop up the soap into smaller bits and pieces. The finer you chop the soap base, the quicker it will melt when microwaved.
Follow manufacturer recommendations, but in general using a 4 cup microwaveable measuring cup filled 3/4 full, you will microwave on medium for 1 minute, then in 15 second intervals until the soap has completely melted.
Never leave the “cooking” soap unattended and never allow the melting soap to boil or smoke. If the soap is boiling or smoking, you’ve melted it at too high a temperature. Microwaves vary so it’s important that you melt the soap on medium rather than high. If your soap base is boiling or smoking, remove from microwave using a pot holder and allow it to cool enough for a light skin to form at the top. Remove this skin before adding scent, color, or any other additive. This soap is useable, but may feel rubbery.
If you get bubbles in your soap or on top of the soap as you are pouring it into a mold you can make the air bubbles disappear by spraying the surface with alcohol, either cosmetic grade or rubbing alcohol. Alcohol helps make glycerin melt and pour soap base even clearer looking, but only add a few drops per cup of soap.
Soap mold rarely need any form of release applied, but read your mold packaging carefully. If you are making your own mold keep in mind the mold should be flexible enough for you to “pop” the soap out of it. If making a loaf of soap, cut it as soon as it has cooled as waiting past this point will make the soap more difficult to cut. You can polish soap with oil and a paper towel to give it a pretty sheen. Use almond, coconut, or vegetable oil with no scent.
Keep your finished soaps in air-tight containers in a cool, dry place. Melt and pour soap has a self life of well over 6 months if fresh fruits or botanicals have been used, slightly more if no fresh ingredients were added. Keep your soapmaking tools clean and dry.
Some great soapmaking videos:
Clam Shell Soap
Embedding Soap
Geometric Shapes
Learn more about Maria and see her other articles here.
