Melting and Remaking Soap Making for Beginners

Wash and dry molds, spatulas and plastic/glass containers with warm soapy water and dry completelyTo avoid cross-contamination, it’s a good idea to disinfect your work area before you start, especially when working in the kitchenYou can spray the area with alcohol or a 5% bleach solution and then wipe dry with a clean paper towel

Place the small glass container on the scale and reset the weightWeigh 0.5 oz (14 g) fragranceYou'll want to prepare the fragrance ahead of time so the soap doesn't start to harden while you're workingIt is important to only use glass for this stepFragrance may damage some types of plastic and paper if left for long periods of time

Remove soap base from packaging and place on cutting boardYou can cover the cutting board with plastic wrap or parchment paper for easier cleanupCut the soap base into small, evenly sized cubes (approximately 1 inch or 2.5 cm cubes)Place a large container on the scale and reset the weightAdd bar soap to measuring cup until 16 oz (454 g) is in measuring cup

Put the container containing the soap base into the microwave and heat it for 1 minuteStir gently to help break up any clumps and help the soap melt more easilyIf necessary, heat in 20 second intervals until most of the soap is completely liquidIt's okay if there are some small lumps left, just keep stirring until they are completely meltedMelted soap will be very hot, so be careful when handlingSoap temperature should not exceed 160°F (71.1°C) to avoid a rubbery feel to the finished bar

*Tip- This step can also use a metal container and electric stove to heat and melt the soap base
*Note- If the soap base begins to foam during heating, the temperature is too highPlease stop heatingStir gently to continue melting process

Once the soap is completely liquid and all the pieces are melted, add the soap dye and stir well to make sure it is completely mixedStart with 3-4 drops and add more until desired color is achievedYou may notice a thin skin on the surface of the soapThis is normal, just stir it back into the liquid soapIf the soap begins to thicken at this point, microwave it again every 5-10 seconds until the soap is thinner

*Tip- This step can also use a metal container and an electric stove to heat and melt the soap base

It is a good idea to check the temperature of the soap and make sure it is between 140-150°F (60-65.6°C)Add the pre-measured essence to the soap base and stir evenly

After adding the fragrance, you can pour the soap into the moldPour slowly to minimize air bubblesFill to the edge of the moldQuickly spray the surface with alcohol to eliminate any bubbles that may form on the surfaceYou can spray a few times to eliminate as many bubbles as possible, but spraying too much can cause the soap to foam

A thick skin will form in 30 minutesCover loosely with plastic wrapLet cool for 24 hours

*Tip- You can place the mold on a baking sheet so it can be moved easily without disturbing the soap

Melt reconstituted soap cleaning is easy - just wash with water and a brush or rag to loosen larger debrisIf a thick layer of soap remains in the container, try pulling the soap layer out of the container while the soap is still hotYou can roll it into a small ball for fun and use immediately

After 24 hours the soap should pop out of the mold easilyGently pull on the sides of the mold to help loosen the soap from the edgesTurn the mold over and apply gentle pressure to the center of the cavityDo not force the use of soapIf it doesn't come out easily, place the mold in the refrigerator for up to 30 minutes and try again

The soap is ready to use right away, so once you've admired your handiwork, go ahead and try it!

If you plan to sell soap, you need to package and label it appropriatelySoap contains glycerin, which absorbs moisture from the air and causes water droplets to form on the surfaceWrap soap immediately to help prevent this from happening

To wrap, please tear off a piece of plastic wrapIf too big, cut it with scissors to get the right sizeFold the plastic tightly around the four sides of the soap (similar to wrapping a gift)Use a heat gun to shrink the plastic tightly around the soap to protect itThen add a label with ingredients, product weight and name