How to Make Hand-Milled Soaps

The hand-mill process of making soap refers to cold-process or hot-process soaps that have been shredded, melted and reconfigured into hard soap bars. You can purchase ready made cold-process or hot-process soaps at craft supply stores or grocery stores. Make sure you purchase actual soap, rather than a beauty bar that might have additives. It is also available already shredded for an even simpler application. This eliminates the step of using lye in soap making, which can be a scary proposition.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 lb. of shredded plain cold- or hot-process soap, or 1 lb. of already made soap shreds
• 4 oz. of water
• 3 to 6 drops of food coloring
• 1 tsp. of dried herbs if desired
• 1 tsp. of fragrance or essential oil if desired
• Microwave
• Cheese grater if needed
• Glass bowls, 1 large, 1 small
• Soap molds that are heat resistant

Process

1. Shred the soap using a cheese grater or use already made soap shreds and place them in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Put the full 1 lb. of soap in the bowl. Add the water and food coloring and stir the mixture together well. Keep the foaming of the soap to a minimum by stirring gently.

2. Cover the mixture in the bowl with plastic wrap and place the bowl in the microwave. Put the oven on a medium temperature and melt the soap for 3 minutes. Using hot pads, remove the soap mixture from the microwave and gently stir again, the soap should be slightly translucent at this stage. Continue melting the soap in 3-minute intervals, removing after each 3 minutes to stir gently.

3. Once the soap has melted all the way through and is translucent, you can add in the additives. Sprinkle your optional desired herbs into the mixture and stir together well. Take 1/2 cup of the soap mixture and place it in a separate bowl. Add the fragrance and coloring to this bowl, stir well. Add back into the larger bowl and incorporate.

4. Spoon and scrape the soap into heat-resistant molds. Pack the soap in well and smooth out the top. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and let it sit until the soap has completely cooled. Remove the soap from the mold, and let it sit for at least a week to completely solidify. Turn over the soap once so it will dry evenly. Package with cellophane bags, or craft paper that you have decorated.

References

• The Everything Soapmaking Book; Alicia Gross; F & W Publications; 2003.