A Simple Soap Recipe Using Melt & Pour

You can vary a melt and pour soap recipe in countless ways.

Melt and pour soap base, also known as glycerin soap, gives you the opportunity to create homemade soap without a hassle. With a soap base, a heat source and various additives of your choice, you can create your own soap to sell, give as gifts or keep. Variety abounds with homemade soap-making due to all of the different colors, scents and shapes you can create.

Things You'll Need

• Double-boiler
• 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. mica
• Rubbing alcohol
• Spray bottle
• Chopstick or other thin utensil
• 1 tbsp. of additives
• 1 tsp. to 1 tbsp. of fragrance oils or essential oils
• Molds
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Put the recommended amount of water in the bottom half of a double boiler. Put the top half on the bottom, and place 1 lb. of melt and pour soap base inside. Place on low heat until melted.

2. Add 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. of colored mica nuggets while the base is melting. Stir gently to combine the mica with the base. Spray any bubbles that form with rubbing alcohol from a spray bottle.

3. Remove the base from the heat once it is fully melted. Stir in 1 tsp. to 1 tbsp. of essential oils or fragrance oils. Add the minimum amount if you don't care for a strong fragrance.

4. Allow the base to completely cool. Stir with a chopstick or other thin utensil to keep a skin from forming. Add 1 tbsp. of herbs, aloe vera gel, vitamin E or shea butter, if desired. Melt cocoa butter or beeswax over low heat before adding to the cooled base.

5. Pour the cooled soap mixture into the molds of your choice. Suggestions include candy molds, cat food cans and plastic storage containers.

6. Allow at least three to four hours to harden, unmold and wrap in plastic wrap for storage.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a microwave instead of a double boiler to melt the soap base, but it's difficult to regulate the temperature.

• Food coloring can be used as an alternative to mica, but it can cause the finished product to fade and bleed, and could even stain your hands.

• Don't let the cooking heat exceed 160 degrees Fahrenheit, or you may get cloudy bars.

References

• Teach Soap: Melt and Pour Soap Making
• Soapnuts: Melt and Pour Recipes