Making Melt and Pour Soap Melt and pour soap is the easiest method of making homemade soap. Because the soap base has already been made and prepared for you, you do not have to worry about working with lye, like you would with cold or hot process soap. It is fast and easy to prepare for both children and adults alike. Best of all, there are no curing times involved, and the soap is ready to use once it hardens! Steps for making melt and pour soap Cut the soap base Cut the soap base into 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) chunks with a clean, sharp knife. The size and shapes of the chunks do not have to be exact. Cutting the soap into chunks will simply help it melt faster and smoother. Melt the soap base in the microwave Place the soap chunks into a microwave-safe dish. Heat the chunks at 30-second intervals, stirring between each one, until they are melted. The melted base should be smooth and liquid-y, with no lumps or chunks.[2] If you don't have a microwave, then do the following: Fill a saucepan with 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) of water.Set a glass, heat-safe bowl on top.Place the soap into the bowl and bring the water to a simmer.Allow the soap to melt over low heat, stirring it occasionally. Allow the soap base to cool Allow the soap base to cool to 120°F (49°C). Once the soap has melted, set it down on the counter, and allow it to cool of slightly If you melted the soap over the stove, take the bowl off of the saucepan, then set it down onto a heat-safe surface. Adding dyes and fragrances to too-hot soap can affect the final color/fragrances. Stir in soap making dye Stir in soap making dye or pigment powder, if desired. Use ⅛ teaspoon of dye or pigment powder per 1 pound (450 grams) of soap. You can add more later, if you want, but be aware that it may stain your skin.[3] If you are using pigment powder, stir it into 2 to 3 teaspoons of liquid glycerin first, then add the glycerin to the soap base.If you are using liquid dye, 3 to 6 drops will be enough for 1 pound (450 grams) of soap.[4]Make sure that you use dyes made for soap making. Other types of dye, such as candle dye, are not skin safe. Steps for making melt and pour soap fragrance oils or essential oils Stir in some fragrance oils or essential oils, if desired. You can combine different oils to create a unique fragrance, or you can use just one type. Once again, make sure that you use oils that are either safe to use on skin or are labeled for soap making. Do not use candle fragrance oils, as they can irritate the skin. Listed below are the recommended amounts:[5] Fragrance oil: 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) total per 1 pound (450 grams) of soap.Essential oil: ½ tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) total per 1 pound (450 grams) of soap. Pour the soap Pour the soap into your desired soap making molds. You can find soap making molds alongside the other soap making supplies in the arts and crafts store. You can get them in either plastic or silicone. If you can't find any, you can use silicone baking, chocolate, or cupcake molds instead. You can use a larger, traditional mold, if you want to, but you will need to cut the soap into slices after you de-mold it.If you are using a plastic soap making mold, you may want to coat the inside with petroleum jelly. Gently tap the mold. Gently tap the mold. This will send any air bubbles to the surface. If you see air bubbles, lightly spray the surface of the soap with rubbing alcohol. Allow the soap base to cool Allow the soap base to cool for 12 to 24 hours. Do not get impatient and put it into a fridge or freezer. Steps for making melt and pour soap Release the soap from the mold. Release the soap from the mold. Gently pull the edges of the mold away from the soap, then turn the mold upside-down, and pop the soap out. If the soap gets stuck in the mold, stick it in the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse the outside of the mold under hot water for a few seconds.[6] If you used one big mold, you will need to cut the soap into smaller bars/slices after you remove it from the mold. Allow the soap to finish drying Allow the soap to finish drying, if needed. Unlike traditional cold or hot process soap, melt and pour soap is ready to use. This is because it has already saponified and does not need to be cured. The edges may still be damp after you remove it from the mold, however. If this happens, simply let it sit out on a wire cooling rack for about an hour or so.
