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Melt & Pour Soap Instructions
Makes approx 5 standard soap bars or 10 guest bars
Soap Making is not suitable for young children. Older children should be supervised as melted soap base gets very hot.
Melting the soap base
Cut 500g of soap base into approximately 1” chunks.
Cooker method: Put the pieces of soap into a small saucepan (stainless steel/enamel) placed inside a slightly larger pan of simmering water. The water needs to come about half way up the side of the small pan. Heat on a cooker over a low-medium heat until the soap has melted.
Microwave method: Heat the soap pieces in a pyrex jug in a microwave oven on a medium setting. Heat for 10 seconds at a time. Remove and stir gently between each heating until the soap has melted. Be careful not to let the soap boil.
Remove from the heat and allow the soap to cool slightly. If the soap forms a skin, you’ve left it too long. If this happens, heat for a further short time and then stir until it has melted again.
Adding fragrance
Allow the soap to cool slightly. For a medium strength scent add 10g of soap fragrance to the warm soap and stir in slowly until well combined. A wooden chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon is good for this, as it will minimise any frothy bubbles forming.
Colouring the soap
Now add two or three drops of soap dye. Dyes can be mixed to make lots of different colours so have fun experimenting. Our liquid dyes are very concentrated so it’s best to start off tiny amounts then add more to build up the depth of colour. With transparent soap it’s possible to achieve vivid colours whereas opaque soap will produce pastel shades. Add more dye a drop at a time and stir in thoroughly until you reach a shade that you like.
If at any time the soap starts to form a skin, heat it again gently until the skin melts then stir slowly.
Moulding
Pour the soap base very slowly into the moulds being careful not to create any bubbles. Bubbles won't affect the use of the soap but they will make transparent soap look cloudy. 500g of soap base will be enough to make 5-6 standard sized bars or 7-10 guest bars, depending on the designs, or a single small soap loaf. Try not to overfill the moulds as this may make it harder to get the soaps out.
Leave the soaps to set for at least four hours, but preferably overnight. The longer you leave them, the easier they will be to get out of the moulds.
Un-moulding
Turn the mould upside down on a firm, flat surface. Push down with firm and even pressure close to the edge of the soap bar and hold for 10 seconds. This will allow air to get between the soap and the mould. Repeat all around the edge and then in the centre of the bar until the soap releases. If you have difficulty getting the soap to come out, place the mould in the fridge for a maximum of 20 minutes. This will help to shrink the soap slightly. Never try to force the soap out with a sharp object.
Leave the soaps to dry out and firm up for at least 24 hours before use.
ADDING OTHER INGREDIENTS
Vegetable Oil & Butters
You can add an oil or butter to melt & pour soap bases but this should be kept to a low dosage. We recommend a maximum of 50g per kg of soap base. Melt the soap base, turn off the heat, then add the oil or butter carefully to avoid being splashed with hot soap. Organic soap base has a delicately balanced formulation and very gentle surfactant so adding oil or butter can affect the lathering. Experiment with as little as 20g per kg of soap and test to see if you are happy with the result.
Herbs & Petals
Dried herbs and flower petals can be used to give a pretty, natural look to your soaps. They can also add texture, not only to make the soap look more interesting, but also to act as ‘scrub agents’ that will exfoliate your skin and leave it feeling wonderfully clean.
After fragrancing and colouring the warm soap base, add a sprinkling of petals or herbs and stir gently. Pour into the mould and leave to set.
Finely cut or powdered herbs can also be added to the warm soap. Alternatively, try sprinkling a very fine layer into the mould before pouring the soap. This will give the soap a nice rustic appearance.
Glitter Powders
Cosmetic glitter powders come in a wide range of colours, from bright metallic shades to the most delicate, iridescent, frosty whites.
Add a pinch of glitter to the warm soap base before pouring or brush onto finished soap bars to highlight the design.
Mica Powders
Mica powders are very special, ultra-fine powders that will enable you to create subtle metallic or shimmering effects. Metallic colours give an even shade whereas iridescent ones produce a shell-like lustre. They can be used in place of, or in combination with, soap dyes. Try experimenting with mica powders on their own to see their true colours and what effects can be achieved. For best results use in transparent soap base.
Add approximately half a level teaspoon of mica powder per 500g of soap base. Stir gently until the powder is completely combined. Break up any stubborn clumps with the handle of a wooden spoon.
For a very pretty effect, try brushing a little mica powder over a finished soap bar (opaque or transparent) to highlight the design. A soft artists paintbrush is good for this.
Tips
Add a dessertspoon of water per 500g of soap when re-heating. Allow over-dyed or over-fragranced soap to set and then add small chunks of it to a new batch of melted soap base to make a subtler version next time! If you have any melt & pour questions we are always happy to help.
