Melt and Pour Soap Basic Instructions

Ready to make your own soap?  Try your hand at the melt and pour method.  It's simple, inexpensive, and super easy.

What You'll Need:

Double boiler or microwave-safe glass bowl

Plastic wrap                            

Wooden or metal spoon

Melt and pour soap base

Choice of additives, colorants, and fragrance

Soap mold (this can be a store-bought soap mold, a box lined with wax paper, or a Tupperware container)

Spray bottle of rubbing alcohol

Directions

1.      Measure desired amount of soap base and cut into chunks.  Place in double boiler or microwave-safe bowl. 

2.      For double boiler method:  Fill bottom portion of double boiler with water.  Warm over medium heat until soap base is fully melted.  Cover with a lid to keep soap from drying out.  Stir gently, if needed, to avoid creating air bubbles or foam.   Caution:  Soap base will be hot!  Handle carefully!

3.   For microwave method:  Lay a sheet of plastic wrap gently over the bowl to keep soap from foaming or drying out (or lightly cover with a microwave safe lid).  Heat on medium power for thirty-second intervals until soap is completely melted, stirring gently between heatings.  Caution:  Soap base will be hot!  Handle carefully!

4.      While soap is melting, measure out your choice of additives, colorants, and fragrance.  Set aside.

5.   Once soap is completely melted, remove from heat.  If you are adding any herbs, clays, oils or colorants, gently stir them in now.

6.      Let the soap cool just slightly, then add your choice of fragrance (cooler soap temperatures seem to agree with fragrance oils better).  However, do not let soap cool enough to thicken.

7.    Carefully pour soap base into the mold.  If bubbles form, lightly spray the surface of the soap with rubbing alcohol.

8.      Let set undisturbed for several hours or overnight.  (Soap may seem set after as little as one hour, but will not be firm enough to easily release from the mold.)

9.    Press your soap out of the mold by applying firm, steady pressure.  If soap doesn't want to release from the mold, try lightly running a non-serrated knife around the sides of the mold.

10.  Enjoy your handcrafted soap!