Melt & pour soap base · Guide

    How to use melt & pour soap base

    The method from the recipe book in every tub, step by step, with the amounts per pound and the mistakes to avoid. It works the same for every base.

    Cubes of soap base next to a bowl of melted base being stirred, with essential oils and clay

    Before you start

    What you need

    • Kitchen scale
    • Sharp knife
    • Glass measuring cup or heat-proof bowl
    • Cling film
    • Silicone spatula
    • Thermometer
    • Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle
    • Silicone mould

    Step by step

    Melt, pour, set

    Cut and weigh
    01 / 07
    1. 01

      Cut and weigh

      • Cut the base into 1-inch cubes with a sharp knife.
      • Weigh the cubes on a kitchen scale. 1 lb of base makes about four 3.5 oz bars.

      Why: Cubes of the same size melt at the same speed.

    2. 02

      Put the cubes in a bowl

      • Put the cubes in a glass measuring cup or a heat-proof bowl.
      • Cover it with cling film.

      Why: Cling film keeps the moisture in while the base melts.

    3. 03

      Melt, but never boil

      Microwave

      • Heat for 30 seconds, take it out and stir.
      • Repeat until the last cube has melted.

      Stovetop

      • Set the bowl over a pot of simmering water.
      • Stir now and then until the last cube has melted.

      Watch out: Stop as soon as it's liquid. If bubbles start rising, it's boiling, and the bars will come out cloudy.

    4. 04

      Cool to 125°F

      • Take the base off the heat.
      • Stir and check the thermometer every minute.
      • When it reads 125°F (52°C), go to the next step.

      Why: 125°F is the temperature for mixing in scent, colour and extras.

    5. 05

      Add scent, colour or extras

      All optional: add only what you want, or nothing for a plain bar. Starting amounts for 1 lb of any base; if you follow a recipe, use its amounts.

      AddPer 1 lb
      Fragrance oil0.5 oz
      Essential oil20 drops to 0.3 oz
      Oil, butter or honeyStart with 1 Tbsp
      Clay or charcoal1–2 tsp
      Dried flowers1–2 Tbsp
      ColourA little, then more for a stronger shade
      • Stir slowly until everything is evenly mixed.

      Watch out: Going over a recipe's amounts makes soft bars that sweat. Fast stirring whips in bubbles.

    6. 06

      Spritz, pour, spritz

      • Spray the inside of the empty mould with rubbing alcohol.
      • Pour slowly, holding the cup close to the mould.
      • Spray the top of the soap right away.

      Why: The alcohol pops surface bubbles and evaporates without leaving anything in the soap.

    7. 07

      Set and wrap

      • Leave the mould at room temperature for 4 hours, or 6 if you added a lot of extras. Overnight is safest.
      • Don't move the mould while it sets.
      • Push each bar out from the bottom of the mould.
      • Wrap each bar airtight in cling film the same day and store it somewhere cool and dry, so it doesn't pull moisture from the air and bead.

      If it goes wrong: If a bar won't come out of the mould, put the whole mould in the freezer for 10–15 minutes, then push it out.

    From the recipe book

    What you can make

    Far more than what's shown here.

    • Clear soap bars with dried lavender set insideFlowers inside

      Lavender Flower Bar

      32 oz base · 0.6 oz lavender oil · 3 Tbsp dried flowers

      Made withGlycerin base

    • A clear soap bar with a small toy fish insideSomething inside

      Fish in a Bar

      11 oz base · 0.3 oz fragrance · 2 small toys

      Made withGlycerin base

    • Golden honey soap bars with a honeycomb pattern on topHoneycomb top

      Bee-Print Honey Bar

      16 oz base · 4 oz raw honey · 20 drops lemon oil · bubble wrap pressed into the top

      Made withHoney base

    • Pale green semi-clear soap bars with cucumber specksFresh specks

      Cucumber-Aloe Bath Bar

      16 oz base · 1 puréed cucumber · 1 Tbsp olive oil · 20 drops cucumber oil

      Made withAloe Vera base

    • White soap bars marbled with greenSwirl

      Rose & Myrrh Swirl

      16 oz of each base · 15 drops rose oil · 10 drops frankincense · green and brown mica

      Made withGoat Milk baseShea Butter base

    • Soap bars in three pastel layersLayers

      Pastel Layer Bar

      Made withShea Butter base

    • Charcoal grey soap bars with white specks and a silver shimmerMica top

      Starry Night Bar

      32 oz base · 2 tsp charcoal · 30 drops bergamot · 1 Tbsp kaolin clay · silver mica

      Made withShea Butter base

    • Cocoa brown soap bars with a chocolate-bar grid on topPressed grid

      Chocolate Bar

      16 oz base · 2 Tbsp cocoa · 0.5 oz chocolate fragrance oil

      Made withGoat Milk base

    • Off-white soap bars flecked with oatmeal and citrus zestScrub

      Oat & Citrus Scrub Bar

      Made withOatmeal & Shea Butter base

    • Cream soap bars topped with dried calendula petalsPetal top

      Calendula Petal Bar

      Made withTriple Butter base

    Questions

    Good to know

    Can I blend different bases in one batch?

    Yes, with one rule: if you want a see-through bar, don't mix a clear base with a creamy one. Glycerin, aloe vera and honey let light through; goat milk, shea butter, oatmeal & shea and the butter bases are creamy, and even a little of one turns a clear bar cloudy.

    How long do bars take to set?

    At least 4 hours, and 6 for bars with a lot of add-ins. Overnight is safest.

    Can I make soap with kids?

    Yes, with an adult handling the hot base. The user guide says to keep the base away from children under 3.