What To Know Before Melting A Soap

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Pre-Made Soap Base – You’ll be using a pre-made soap base to start the melt-and-pour process. Pre-made soap has completely gone through the saponification process which means you won’t need to work with lye. You can find these online or in craft stores. Popular melt-and-pour bases include clear, white, hemp, aloe, honey, shea butter, and goat’s milk. If you’re concerned that you can’t control all the ingredients when using a pre-made soap base, look for those labeled as SFIC Soap. It’s a company that only uses natural ingredients in its products.

Tools for Melting – You’ll need a way to melt down your soap pieces so that you can stir in the additional ingredients, coloring, and fragrances. We’ll cover 3 methods: microwave, Crock-Pot slow cooker, or double boiler.

Tools for Cutting  – You’ll need a way to break down the soap into smaller pieces so that it’s easier to melt. Options include a grater, knife, or food processor.

Tools for Measuring – You may need a food scale, measuring cup or measuring spoons to weigh out your additional ingredients. The tool you will need will vary based on what you’re adding in.

Mold – You can use either plastic, paper, silicone or wooden mold for your soap. Each type of soap has its pros and cons. Check out the beginner’s guide to soap-making supplies for more info.

Container/Bowls – Containers and bowls will be used to hold the miscellaneous ingredients you want to add to your soap. If you want to melt your pre-made soap using the microwave method, you’ll need a large heat-safe glass container.

Kitchen Utensils – When prepping or adding your additional ingredients, it may require the use of spatulas, spoons, etc. This can vary based on what you are adding in.

Rubbing Alcohol – Rubbing alcohol is used to eliminate any bubbles on the surface of your soap that may occur when you pour the mixture in into the soap mold. Lightly spray rubbing alcohol onto the soap’s surface and pop any large bubbles with a small toothpick if they remain. Rubbing alcohol is also used to prepare the surface of the soap if you plan to add layers.

HOW TO USE THE Melt & Pour METHOD FOR SOAP MAKING

The melt & pour method is really simple. All you have to do is cut and meltdown your pre-made soap bases, add and mix your desired ingredients and pour it into a mold. There are three different ways that you can cut down your soap and three different ways that you can melt your soap. Pick the one that works best for you!

1. Break down your soap base into smaller pieces. Personally, I prefer to cut my pre-made soap into small 1-inch cube chunks using a strong knife and cutting board. You can also grate your soap in a large bowl. Try wearing some heavy-duty gloves while grating to minimize any risk of cutting yourself. Lastly, you can use a food processor to cut it up. However, the pieces may be too big and you’ll just resort to the regular knife method instead. Many food processors are not equipped to take on the hardness of the pre-made soap.

2. Meltdown your soap pieces. There are three methods you can use to melt down your soap –a double boiler, slow cooker, or microwave oven. Check below on specific information on how to use these three methods.

3. Add your special ingredients. During the melting process, you’ll have the opportunity to add ingredients to your soap. Ingredients that need to be evenly distributed (like coloring) within the mixture should be added early on. Ingredients that might melt (like glitter) should be added towards the end. Check out this guide to soap-making ingredients for a full list of what you can add to your soap.

4. Pour mixture into a mold. You can pour the mixture into a plastic, silicone, wooden, or paper mold. If there are any bubbles on the soap mixture after pouring, spray a bit of rubbing alcohol on the surface.  If using a wooden mold, you’ll need something to cut the soap into small bars. Silicone molds have been my favorite to use so far. They pop out so easily when they harden!

MELTING WITH A MICROWAVE

In my opinion, this method is the easiest and quickest of the three. The whole process can take anywhere from 15 – 30 minutes. Just be careful using this method as your soap mixture might overheat. You know your microwave better than anyone, so be cautious when first using this method to melt the soap shreds.

• Put your soap pieces in a microwave-safe glass container.
• Cover the container with plastic wrap.
• Heat the soap shreds for 15-30 seconds. If this has melted your soap even a bit, you should be using the microwave in shorter increments. If this has not melted your soap at all, you may want to consider leaving it in the microwave for longer. Be careful not to overheat and burn your soap mixture. There’s no going back if you do!
• Check your soap mixture after each microwave use. Stir gently. If the soap mixture does not look translucent, place it in the microwave again.
• Once the soap is translucent, use oven mitts to remove the container out of the microwave.
• Stir the mixture gently.
• Sprinkle any additions you have into your mixture. Put any coloring in first.
• Once the mixture is evenly distributed, pour it into your soap mold.
• Let the soap sit until it has fully hardened.

trying different techniques and methods, we can mold and remold a bar soap into our own desired shape and fragrance.