Smelting a soap base is the easiest way to make handmade soap. It does not require any special tools other than a soap base and mold; This is a great way to have fun for both adults and children - and no dangerous alkaline solutions!
Steps
Step 1. Find a good soap base
You can purchase the base from hobby and craft stores and modify it to your liking using the recipe found in soap making books. Use this recipe to make a list of all the ingredients you need.
Step 2. Prepare your workspace
You need a free countertop area or table, as well as all the necessary tools.
Step 3. Cut the soap base into pieces and place in a container
Measure out as much soap as you think will fit in your mold - 5 grams more / less won't matter. Make sure your knife, board, and container are clean - the soap will pick up debris easily and won't be easy to remove later. Step 4. Melt the soap base.
Place the soap bars in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with cling film. Heat for a minute, then remove to stir. The mass will turn out to be thick and lumpy. Repeat the procedure further for 30 seconds at a time (stirring after each time) until the mass becomes homogeneous and free of lumps. Warning: When the soap base is completely melted, it will be very hot. Try not to overheat the soap, otherwise it will smell bad. The ideal melting temperature is about 48-52 degrees.
Step 5. Add fragrance or essential oil
For best results, you should wait until the soap has cooled down a bit, and only then add the fragrance - this is how you are guaranteed to get a strong smell in the final product. If you are using less fragrance, use a thermometer and wait until the temperature of the soap has dropped to 55-60 degrees. A suitable proportion is 7 grams for every 200 grams of soap. This step is optional - sometimes fragrance can irritate sensitive skin.
Step 6. Add dye to the soap base
This step is also optional - some like colored soap, some don't. Do not use food coloring or candle coloring - it can stick to your skin. Use a pigment specifically for handmade soaps, which can also be purchased from hobby and craft stores, or online. Do not forget that soap dye is much weaker, so you need to put it in more than in a similar situation with candle dye.
Step 7. Stir the melted soap - do not stir too much or bubbles will form in the soap
If bubbles do appear, simply spray the soap with alcohol from a fine spray bottle. The bubbles will disappear in a moment.
Step 8. Pour the soap into molds
Pour slowly to prevent bubbles from forming in the soap. After pouring the soap into the mold, sprinkle it with alcohol one last time - this will make your soap perfectly smooth. After that, you can cover the soap with cling film and leave it on the table, or put it in the refrigerator. However, the soap will be smoother if left uncovered. It will take about an hour for the soap to harden in the refrigerator and two hours on the table. When cooled in the refrigerator, the soap will lose some of its aroma. Don't put soap in the freezer.
Step 9. Remove the soap from the mold
After it has hardened, shake the soap out of the mold. Sometimes soap won't give in - if you come across a particularly stubborn soap, try tapping the sides of the mold and the bottom of the mold with your hand or a large spoon.
Step 10. You do not need to age the soap - made from the purchased base, it turns out to be neutral
In comparison, cold soap takes 3-4 weeks to soften. If you are not going to use your soap right now, wrap it in plastic wrap to prevent water evaporation and deformation of the bars. Melted soap sometimes sweats, so don't keep it in wet conditions. This is due to the glycerin contained in the soap - it is a moisturizer, that is, it collects moisture from the air. In addition, let the bars dry completely before using the soap, so they will last longer. Enjoy!
Advice
- If you don't have soap molds, try using a plastic cup. In this case, add about 2 to 3 centimeters of soap.
- If bubbles form in the soap while pouring into the mold, lightly spray the surface with alcohol.
- Experiment with different amounts of flavors and colors for different results.
- To make it easier to remove the soap from the mold when it hardens, lubricate the mold with Vaseline.
- If you have sensitive skin, avoid adding fragrance and dye to your soap. They will not cause irritation on normal skin, but on sensitive skin, almost certainly.
- If you line the mold with a film before pouring the soap, after hardening, first separate the mold, and only then remove the film from the soap.
- Mix opaque and glycerin soaps vigorously and quickly with a stick for a whipped, fluffy soap. Then, you can collect the soap and shape it into a beetle shape. Add small black eyes here, make a slit for the mouth. Wear rubber surgical gloves to avoid scalding.
- You can also make foil molds.