Contrary to popular belief, melt and pour soaps aren’t exactly the most complicated soaps to produce. Sure, it may take up quite a chunk of your time of the day. However, for the most part, it shouldn’t if you know what you are doing and if you have the right tools for it.
In this article, we will guide you through how to make melt and pour soaps in the easiest way possible.
Tools you will need
To get your started, here are some essential tools you will need for your melt and pour soaps.
Equipment you will need
- A scale
- A cutting board
- A set of measuring spoons
- A metal whisk
- A large knife
- A rubber spatula
- A soap mold to make bars of soaps
- A large glass liquid measuring cup
Materials for the soap
- A fragrance oil
- Soap-safe dyes
- Rubbing alcohol
- Paper towels
- A melt and pour soap base
Instructions on making your melt and pour soap
Step 1
Firstly, cut and weigh the melt and pour soap base. Place the glass measuring cup on the scale and make sure that the weight zeroes out. Cut the melt and pour soap base into smaller chunks, then place them into the container until you have the amount your mold can hold.
When you are doing this, make sure that your knife, container, and cutting board are clean of any dirt. The soap can pick it up and it will be very difficult to get it out.
Step 2
Next, melt the soap base in the microwave. Cover the container with a wrap. It will keep the soap base from drying out while it is being heated. Heat the soap in the microwave. Start with 1 minute at a time. While doing this, remove the soap and stir it. Note that it will be thick and chunky. Repeat the heating process until the chunk is gone and the soap is completely melted.
If you do not wish to melt your soap in a microwave, it is understandable. You can have it melted in a double boiler too. Most soap bases will need at least 150 degrees when completely melted. Do handle with care to avoid any burns.
Step 3
Add fragrance or essential oil to your soap. As your soap is heating, you may put your fragrance ramekin on the scale and zero out the weight. Measure the fragrance or essential oil into the ramekin.
As soon as you have measured your fragrance and removed the soap from the microwave, slowly and steadily add the fragrance into the melted soap base and stir gently.
Step 4
This step is basically optional. However, if you wish to get creative with the colors, you may. Adding colors to your soap is purely for aesthetic purposes only. Just make sure that you use soap-safe or skin-safe dyes, micas or natural colorants.
Be informed that soap-safe dyes are much weaker than candle dyes. You will need to use more than you need in the same amount of wax.
Once you have mixed the dye together, stir it into the melted soap to completely incorporate the fragrance and color. Don’t stir too hard or you will get bubbles in the soap.
Step 5
After that, pour the melted (and colored), fragranced soap into the mold slowly. Try not to splash the soap and avoid any bubbles if possible. After this, you are basically done for now. Carefully move the mold to a safe place and cover it with a plastic wrap. Then you may start cleaning up.
The soap will be hard enough to unmold in a few hours. You can speed up this process by placing it in a freezer. It will take several hours on the counter or less than that if placed in a freezer.
Step 6
When the soap has been hardened, you may unmold the soap. Some molds release the soaps easily whereas some others may be harder. By tapping the mold firmly with the palm of your hand or a large spoon helps sometimes.
For a persistent bar, you may turn the mold over and run hot water over the back of it. The soap should fall out easily from the mold. There is no waiting period for the melt and pour soap to cure as it already is cured by now. You can use the soap right away.
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