Basic Melt and Pour Soap Making
By gewcew23
@gewcew23 (8007)
United States
June 1, 2007 7:12am CST
I thought I would share with you how to make the basic melt and pour soap. I hope this helps.
1. You can melt the base in a double boiler or the microwave. If you choose the microwave, make sure you cover the bowl you are melting the melt and pour (MP) with Saran Wrap to keep the excess moisture from evaporating out. Simply melt the base on high for one minute and stir the remaining, unmelted pieces in.
If you use a double-boiler, simply bring the water to boil, add your melt and pour, cover, turn the heat on low and walk away. Check on the base periodically to see it it's melted.
2.If you add fragrance oil, add it after the base is fully melted. Stir until the fragrance is fully incorporated and the base doesn't look "cloudy." Start with .25 ounce per pound of base and work up or down from there. You can also use essential oils.
3.If you wish to add colorant, add the color when the base is melting. Just throw in 1/8 teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon mica with the melting base and stir it in really well. Spray any "mica bubbles" that form on the top with rubbing alcohol. To use food coloring, simply put in 1 drop at a time to your melted base and color to preference. Too much can stain hands and towels, so be careful!4.Pour into your molds - and spray the top with rubbing alcohol to get rid of any excess bubbles.
5.Use and enjoy once the soap is hard. This will vary in the time it takes to harden.
The finished product - a beautifully handcrafted bar of soap!Enjoy!
4 people like this
8 responses
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I have used a large sauce pan and a large glass measuring cup for my melt and pour. My boyfriend and I used to sell them at craft shows. We've added oats, herbs, or glitter to our melt and pour. We've also made some with a
toy inside for the kids. I'm probably going to make soap this summer with my neice to give her something fun to do.
2 people like this
@winky73 (1404)
• United States
1 Jun 07
So if you use the microwave.....you only start with a few pieces....did I read that right?
You really have me interested now....especially since you put up the Bath Poof Soap.I just love that idea!
Thanks on giving the basics....that should really help a lot.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
20 Dec 07
I have a book on soap making, but have never attempted it before. I wonder where you could get this base. I cannot use any chemiclally based perfume, and sometimes I find it difficult to find non allergic soap in the stores. Can the ingredients be found in crafts stores or where can one get the bases plus the equipment necessary?
1 person likes this
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
20 Dec 07
I buy all my bases at Hobby Lobby. My husband can't use a lot of perfumed items either so I make this for us. If is really easy to do about 1-2 minutes in a microwave and then pour into the molds. I do use colors and a little fragrance but nothing like they store bought type of soaps. I also make gift baskets with it and give as birthday or christmas presents.
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
2 Dec 07
Great information on this post especially for the beginner- I do melt and pour and old fashioned cold process soap from scratch and it's a great hobby that your family and friends will love. Be careful it is very addicting- pretty soon you will have sky high molds and shelves of fragrance oils! :)
Nice post!
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
23 Aug 10
Thank you for the advice. I just stated soap making and was wondering if I could microwave it. My question is this: when you sell your soap what do wrap it in? I want to sell my online and if I jave to ship it want to make sure that it stays fresh. Also, do you sell bath salts and if you do how can I pack them for shipping?