Take the guesswork out of soap making and instead learn how to make melt and pour soap with simple ingredients and no special equipment!
As I’ve ventured further and further into the world of making my own bath and body products, it amazes me just how easy it can be. From sugar scrubs and body butters to homemade soap, they’re so much easier to make than you think. What I love about making homemade body products is that you get to control the ingredients. So many of our products today are filled with unnecessary ingredients that can do more harm than good. And while I’ll probably never make 100% of my own body care products, having the knowledge and understanding of how these products are made is a great tool in my tool belt.
Now when it comes to soap making, it can be a complex process. There are different methods of making soap, some of which require the use of lye, which is can be a dangerous chemical to work with. Others are much easier and safer to make, especially for beginners. One of the easiest ways to make soap is to use a melt and pour base. This method takes the guesswork out of soap making and is quick and easy to do. We’re going to talk all about how to make your own melt and pour soap, but first, let’s dive a little deeper to have a better overall understanding.
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FAQs
What are the different methods of making soap?
Melt and pour soap making: Melt and pour soap is exactly how it sounds. You melt a pre-made soap base, add in fragrances and mix ins like dried florals, pour the mixutre into molds and allow the soap to set.
Cold process soap making: To make soap using the cold press method, oil or fat is combined with lye at room temperature, along with any fragrances and dyes, then poured into a mold and allowed to cure. This way of making soap is very traditional is the best for preserving the ingredients in the soap, which results in a very fragrant (if fragrances are used) and potent soap.
Hot process soap making: Making soap using the hot process method uses the same technique as combining oil or fat with lye, like cold processing, but instead at a higher temperature. This method speeds up the soap making process and the soap generally does not need to cure, making it ready to use about 24 hours after it’s been made.
Rebatching: Rebatching is a process of making soap using scrap pieces from previous batches. You simply melt down the soap scraps, add any fragrances or mix ins, re-mold them and allow them to cure for 24 hours to 1 week before use.
What are the types of melt and pour soap bases?
Melt and pour soap bases are typically glycerine based. Here are a few of the most popular melt and pour bases:
Where can I buy essential oils?
There are a few affordable places I like to buy essential oils from, like Plant Therapy and Nature Packaged (use code THESIMPLEHOMEPLACE15 for 15% off your first purchase). Here are some links to the essential oils featured in this post:
Pros of melt and pour soap making:
- Easy to do, especially for beginner soap makers
- Safer than other methods that use lye
- Allows for versatility and creativity
- Easy to add fragrances, dyes and mix-ins
Cons of melt and pour soap making:
- The glycerin in the soap base is prone to sweating.
- The base isn’t fully customizable as the oils and butters have already been pre-determined.
- The bars of soap don’t last as long in the shower as other bar soaps made from more traditional methods.
Optional Mix-Ins:
- Fragrance oils
- Essential oils
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Coffee grounds
- Dried florals
Essential Oil Combinations
Eucalyptus and peppermint: Refreshing and cozy calming
- 40 drops peppermint
- 30 drops eucalyptus
Orange, cinnamon and clove: Warm and cozy
- 30 drops orange
- 20 drops cinnamon
- 10 drops clove
Lavender, orange and lemon: Bright, cheerful and floral
- 30 drops lavender
- 15 drops orange
- 15 drops lemon
How to Make Melt and Pour Soap
Tools You May Need:
- Kitchen scale
- Silicone soap molds
- Plastic wrap
- Cutting board and knife
- Heat safe bowl or vessel
Materials Needed:
- Melt and pour soap base
- 50-100 drops of essential oils per pound of soap base
- Dried florals (optional)
- Isopropyl alcohol
Directions
Wash the soap molds with hot soapy water, allow them to dry, then spray with isopropyl alcohol and allow them to fully dry before using.
Cut up one pound of melt and pour soap base. Using a digital scale is the best way to measure this.
Place the pieces of soap base into a microwave safe container and melt in the microwave, 30-45 seconds at a time, stirring in between. Repeat until the soap base if fully melted.
Add the essential oils into the soap base and mix with a spoon.
Pour the melted soap base into the molds.
Add any dried florals on top (optional).
Allow the soap to cure 4-14 hours, then unmold it and it’s ready for use.
Notes
- To use a digital scale, place the empty bowl or vessel on the scale and tare, or zero out, the scale. Change the measurement to oz, then add in the soap base. Do the same method when measuring the essential oils or fragrance oils.
- If you’re using essential oils compared to fragrance oils, there may be less scent throw. However, essential oils are very potent and contain different properties depending on the oil used.
- 1 pound of soap base makes approximately 4 bars of soap.
- Work quickly as the soap base starts to set fast.
Melt and Pour Soap
Take the guesswork out of soap making and instead learn how to make melt and pour soap with simple ingredients and no special equipment!
Materials
- Melt and pour soap base
- 50-100 drops of essential oils per pound of soap base
- Dried florals (optional)
- Isopropyl alcohol
Tools
- Kitchen scale
- Silicone soap molds
- Plastic wrap
- Cutting board and knife
- Heat safe bowl or vessel
Instructions
- Wash the soap molds with hot soapy water, allow them to dry, then spray with isopropyl alcohol and allow them to fully dry before using.
- Cut up one pound of melt and pour soap base. Using a digital scale is the best way to measure this.
- Place the pieces of soap base into a microwave safe container and melt in the microwave, 30-45 seconds at a time, stirring in between. Repeat until the soap base if fully melted.
- Add the essential oils into the soap base and mix with a spoon.
- Pour the melted soap base into the molds.
- Add any dried florals on top (optional).
- Allow the soap to cure 4-14 hours, then unmold it and it's ready for use.
Notes
- To use a digital scale, place the empty bowl or vessel on the scale and tare, or zero out, the scale. Change the measurement to oz, then add in the soap base. Do the same method when measuring the essential oils or fragrance oils.
- If you're using essential oils compared to fragrance oils, there may be less scent throw. However, essential oils are very potent and contain different properties depending on the oil used.
- 1 pound of soap base makes approximately 4 bars of soap.
- Work quickly as the soap base starts to set fast.
Looking for more easy DIY body care product ideas?
Looking for more easy DIY body care product ideas like this melt and pour soap recipe? Check these out:
- Whipped Tallow Body Butter
- Homemade Cocoa Butter Lip Balm
- DIY Scalp Refreshing Spray
- Orange Spiced Sugar Scrub
Did you try making this melt and pour soap recipe? If you did, I’d really love to see it. Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this tutorial!
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