Soap making is a fun hobby and offers the freedom to come up with innovative creations. There are countless ingredient combinations to choose from and amazing ways to enhance your soap. The selection of premium fragrance oils available offer the ultimate indulgence in enticing aromas. Simple and exciting, the craft of soap making continues to be an absolute favourite for many.
Handmade soaps make a great gift and are easy to create with the huge soap base options available. The melt and pour method of soap making is quite simple and allows you to make elegant soaps in no time. The method makes use of a pre-made ready-to-use base and you have the freedom to add ingredients of your choice to craft a masterpiece. This process of soap making is great, even for beginners as you don’t need to work with lye, which is a dangerous substance to use if not careful.
Eager to delve into the wonderful craft of melt and pour soap making? Why not try making your own fabulous soaps to pursue an interesting hobby and create gifts that your family and friends will love.
We bring you the ultimate guide to master the art of soap making and create unique soaps in amazing colour combinations and shapes. Probably the simplest method, you don’t need to be a skilled soap maker and can even involve kids for a fun experience.
Our comprehensive guide introduces you to the world of soap making and walks you through each step to create a perfectly formed bar of soap. Let us start by understanding the difference between the two processes of soap making:
Melt and Pour
Cold Process
The melt and pour method makes use of ready-to-use bases like glycerine, olive oil, goat’s milk, shea butter and more. The soap base is clear, opaque or white in colour and you have the option to add your own ingredients. If you are using a clear base, you get a more solid final colour while a white base offers a pastel shade.
The cold process soapmaking method involves creating the soap from scratch. The soap is made by saponifying lye and requires a lot more time than the melt and pour method.
If you wish to create a beautiful soap without having to work with lye, the melt and pour method is ideal for you.
The benefits of the melt and pour method:
A relatively easier method
The broad variety of colour and fragrances available
You don’t need to work with lye
Kid-friendly
You don’t need to spend on soap making equipment
Supplies required for the melt and pour soap method:
A pre-made soap base:
A pre-made soap base is a primary ingredient required for this method of soap making. You can either go for a base in its original state or choose one with additives like shea butter or goat milk. You can add natural ingredients of your choice to get a final soap with rich nourishing benefits.
Fragrances:
To scent your soap, you can make use of natural essential oils. Essential oils offer a range of benefits and are also known for their uplifting fragrance. Essential oils like peppermint have a cooling effect and can be used for a refreshing feel.
Melting tools:
The process of melt and pour soap making involves melting the soap base and then adding additional ingredients of your choice. You will need a microwave, slow cooker or a double boiler for the same.
Cutting tools:
To break the soap into smaller pieces, you will need a grater or a knife.
Measuring tools:
Based on the ingredients that you wish to add, you will need a measuring spoon or cup to add the additional ingredients to the base.
Container:
Bowls and containers will be needed to combine the ingredients and to melt the base. If you are using a microwave to melt, you will need heat-safe containers.
Soap mould:
You can go for a plastic, paper or a wooden mould to give unique shapes to your soap. The mould needs to be one that enables you to easily release the soap from it.
Rubbing alcohol:
To prevent any bubbles from forming on the surface, you can spray rubbing alcohol on the soap. You can even pop the large bubbles with a toothpick.
Using the melt and pour method for soap making:
Cut the melt and pour soap base into smaller chunks using a knife or grater
Melt the pieces by making use of a microwave, double boiler or slow cooker
If you are microwaving, heat the chunks for 30-45 seconds at a time and stir after every interval
Add the additional ingredients ensuring that they are evenly distributed. At this stage, make sure to add the ingredients like colourants earlier that those ingredients that melt, like glitters.
Stir the mixture thoroughly and steadily pour it into the soap mould.
Spray rubbing alcohol on top of the mould to prevent the formation of bubbles.
Let the mixture cool and harden for a few hours
If you want to get really creative, you can even layer your soaps for wonderful looking creations. For this, you need to pour the first layer and allow it to cool for some time. Before it hardens, you can spray it with rubbing alcohol. This will help it to stick to the next layer. Following this, pour the second layer. The process can be repeated based on the number of layers that you want.
Eager to delight your senses with the nourishing goodness of your own soaps?
If you are planning to make melt and pour soaps and looking for nourishing soap bases or essential oils, N-essentials offers a wide variety to choose from. We also supply carrier oils, fragrance oils and cosmetic butters that are great to add into your melt and pour soap bases. In case you are looking for more information about our products, feel free to call us today. Alternatively, you can also email us at info@n-essentials.com.au.