Recently discovered the great benefits of using pure natural soap, but don’t know where to start? Well, we have just the thing for you. If you are a newbie at soap making, melt and pour recipes is the best method to learn first.
What You Need
The basic process for making natural soap products through the melt and pour method is downright simple. All you need is a pre-made melt and pour soap base. This is widely available in stores and craft suppliers.
As in other soapmaking methods, you can add in natural colorants, scents, essential oils, or enhancers such as vitamins and amino acids. You will also need a soap mold to shape the soap into your desired shape. There are melt and pour soap making kits available in the market. They are most convenient especially for newbies, and they are reasonably priced as well.
Aside from being very simple to do, melt and pour soap making does not involve the use of lye. However, since the soap base is pre-made, you will not have much control in terms of formulation.
Step by Step Melt and Pour Soap Making
There are a wide number of recipes for melt and pour soap making to choose from. They vary largely in terms of ingredients, but the basic process is the same and it includes:
1. Melt the soap base in a microwave or a double boiler. Make sure you cover properly to keep the moisture from evaporating. It takes only a minute and a stir or two when using a microwave. When using a double boiler, you simply bring the water to a boil then add the base. Set the heat to low then check periodically to see if everything has melted.
2. As soon as everything is melted, you can add a fragrance or essential oil of your choice then stir well.
3. You can then add colorant and stir well. Make sure you get rid of bubbles forming by spraying with alcohol.
4. Pour your final melted base into the mold of your choice. Spray with alcohol to remove excess bubbles.
5. Wait for the soap to harden, unmold then enjoy lathering onto your skin.
Melt & Pour Soap Advantages:
Ease of Use: Melt and pour soap is extremely simple to make and requires no lye handling. The pre-made soap bases are simple to melt and customise.
Wide Variety: Melt & pour soap bases are available in a variety of compositions, including transparent, white, shea butter, goat milk, and others. This variation allows you to select a foundation that matches your tastes and desired qualities.
Quick Results: Melt and pour soap production is quite quick when compared to other processes. Once the soap foundation has been melted and customised, it will firm fast and is ready to use within a few hours.
Customization: Customization is possible with melt and pour soap. Colourants, scents, essential oils, exfoliants, and botanicals can all be used to make a unique product.
The Cons of Melt & Pour Soap:
Limited Ingredient Control: While melt & pour soap allows for customisation, you have little control over the fundamental components. Some pre-made soap bases may contain additives or synthetic scents that you prefer not to use.
Less adaptability: When compared to cold-process or hot-process soap, melt and pour soap offers less adaptability when it comes to making soap from scratch. It is based on pre-made bases, which may be limited in terms of components and qualities.
Less Natural Appearance: When compared to handcrafted soaps, melt and pour soap bases have a more “commercial” or homogeneous appearance. Other soap-making processes may be more suited if you like a rustic or handmade appearance.
Melt and Pour Soap Recipes
There are hundreds of melt and pour soap recipes available. Most involve the use of glycerin, which are easiest to work with. You can add in essential oils and herbal extracts such as rosemary, lavender, aloe vera, avocado, tea tree, citrus or honey.
You can also put in enhancers such as vitamin E, milk, oatmeal (for exfoliating effect). Fragrance and cosmetic grade colorants are also a must for a pleasing formulation. Remember though that you only need anywhere from an eighth of a tablespoon to a tablespoon for every cup of melted soap base.
Summary
There is no such thing as a perfect recipe for melt and pour soap making. If you have the willingness to learn and come up with a good formulation that best fits your preferences, then melt and pour soap making will surely be a wonderful experience for you.
When selecting a soap-making process, consider your preferences, available time, and intended results. Melt & pour soap is a quick and easy approach to make customised bars, whilst other methods give you more control over the ingredients and formulas. Enjoy the process of making one-of-a-kind and personalised soaps!
