How to Melt a Soap Bar
Leftover soap bar pieces or unused bars of soap are often thrown away. Rather than toss out soap bars that have been deemed useless, you can recycle the bars and pieces of soap to make new bars of soap. They can also be used in other projects. Melting a bar of soap may seem like a straightforward project, but it shouldn't be done haphazardly. Pay attention so the soap doesn't burn.
Things You'll Need
- Cheese grater
- Mixing bowl
- Double boiler
- Wooden spoon
- Leftover pieces of soap
Instructions
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1
A cheese grater is ideal for making small, easy-to-melt pieces of soap. Grate your bar of soap or pieces of soap with a cheese grater.
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2
Place the grated soap in a mixing bowl. Add just enough water to cover the soap pieces. Allow the water and soap to sit overnight to soften the soap pieces.
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3
Pour water into the bottom portion of a double boiler. Heat the water to boiling and place the top portion of the double boiler on.
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4
Spoon the softened, grated soap pieces into the top of the double boiler. Stir frequently as the soap pieces melt. Remove the double boiler from the heat as soon as your soap is melted.
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Tips & Warnings
Small bits of soap will melt more easily than large bars or chunks of soap.
Add a drop or two of coloring or essential oil fragrance to the melted soap in the double boiler, then pour into soap molds to make your own unique soap.
Use leftover pieces of soap bars to make melt-and-pour homemade soaps.
Microwave soap pieces to melt when a double boiler is not available. Cover your microwavable bowl with plastic wrap and heat on a low setting.
Melted soap is hot and can burn your skin. Use caution when stirring and pouring.
References
- Photo Credit soap bar image by Wayne Abraham from Fotolia.com grater image by Adkok from Fotolia.com
