Buzz
Making soap from a pre-made soap base is the easiest method for crafting soap at home. Since the soap base is already available, you don’t need to worry about using lye like in the hot or cold process soap making methods. This technique is simple, quick, and can be done by both adults and children. The best part is you don’t need to wait for the soap to dry out and you can use it as soon as it solidifies!
Steps
Making Soap from Soap Base
Purchase a Soap Base. You can find soap bases in craft supply stores or online. Glycerin-based or clear soap bases are the most popular choices. For higher-quality soap bars, you may want to try using one of the following types of soap base: goat milk, olive oil, or shea butter.
- Do not use regular soap bars for this process, as they are not soap bases and won’t melt easily.
Use a sharp, clean knife to cut the soap base into small pieces (about 2.5 cm). The size and shape of the soap pieces don't need to be precise. Cutting the soap base into smaller chunks helps it melt faster and more smoothly.
Melt the soap base in the microwave. Place the soap pieces into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the soap base in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring after each interval until fully melted. The melted soap should be smooth and free of any lumps. If you don't have a microwave, you can follow these steps:
- Fill a pot with water about 5 cm high.
- Place a heat-resistant glass bowl into the pot.
- Put the soap pieces in the bowl and simmer the water gently.
- Keep stirring the soap occasionally as it melts.
Allow the melted soap to cool to 50°C. Once the soap base has melted, remove the pot from the heat (if you used a stove) and wait for it to cool slightly. If you used a microwave, take the bowl out and place it on a heat-resistant surface.
- The color and fragrance of the soap can be affected if you add dyes or fragrance while the soap is still too hot.
Stir in liquid or powdered dye into the soap, if desired. Use 1/8 teaspoon of dye for every 450 g of soap. You can always add more dye later, but keep in mind that it may stain your hands.
- If using powdered dye, mix it with 2-3 teaspoons of liquid glycerin first, then pour it into the soap base.
- For liquid dye, 2-3 drops are sufficient for 450 g of soap.
- Make sure to use dye that is specifically made for soap. Other types of dyes, like those for candles, can be unsafe for skin.
Stir in a bit of fragrance oil or essential oils, if desired. You can use a single fragrance or combine different oils to create a unique scent. As with dyes, ensure that you use oils that are safe for skin or labeled as suitable for soap-making. Avoid using fragrance oils made for candles as they may cause skin irritation. Recommended amounts for oils are:
- Fragrance oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) for 450 g of soap.
- Essential oils: ½ tablespoon (7.5 ml) for 450 g of soap.
Pour the soap into molds according to your preference. You can find molds and soap-making materials in craft supply stores. Soap molds can be made from plastic or silicone. If you're unable to purchase a soap mold, you can use a baking tray or a silicone cupcake mold.
- If you'd like, you can use a larger traditional mold, but you will need to cut the soap after removing it from the mold.
- If using a plastic soap mold, you may need to apply a thin layer of mineral oil inside the mold.
Gently tap the mold to allow air bubbles to rise to the surface. If bubbles form, spray a thin layer of rubbing alcohol over the surface of the soap.
Wait for the soap base to cool for 12-24 hours. Don't rush by putting the soap into the fridge or freezer.
Remove the soap from the mold. Gently pull at the edges of the mold to loosen it from the soap, then flip the mold over and push the soap out. If the soap is still stuck in the mold, you can place it in the freezer for 15-30 minutes, then remove and rinse under warm water outside the mold for a few seconds.
- If using a large mold, you'll need to cut the soap into smaller pieces once it's removed from the mold.
Allow the soap to dry completely, if necessary. Unlike the traditional hot or cold soap-making methods, soap made from a base can be used right away. This is because it has already undergone saponification and does not require curing. The soap may still be a bit moist around the edges once removed from the mold. If that's the case, simply leave it on a cooling rack for about an hour to let it dry.
Enhance the quality of soap (customizable to your preferences)
Create texture for soap using dried herbs or flowers. Dried chamomile, rose, and lavender are excellent options, but feel free to experiment with others. You’ll need 5-12 g of dried herbs for every 450g of soap. Place the flowers or herbs into the mold before pouring in the soap so they retain their color.
- You can also sprinkle the herbs or flowers on top of the soap after pouring it into the mold.
- Be mindful of how you use the soap. While herbal soap is fantastic for handwashing, it can be quite rough on the skin during a shower.
- Cut larger petals into smaller pieces to avoid clogging the drain.
Use spices to add fragrance, texture, and color. Just 1 tablespoon (15 g) of spice powder can elevate your soap to a whole new level! Mix the spices with colorants and other fragrance ingredients after removing the soap from the heat. Popular spices include cinnamon, turmeric, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Consider reducing the amount of fragrance or skipping it entirely.
Incorporate butter for extra moisture. Add butter to your soap base while it's melting. Avoid using regular dairy butter as it will spoil the scent. Instead, opt for varieties like cocoa butter, shea butter, mango butter, or plant-based butters. Use 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 g) per 450g of soap.
- Cocoa butter and shea butter both enhance the soap’s creamy lather.
- Mango butter can soothe irritated skin, ease sunburns, and reduce dryness.
Boost the soap’s benefits with various extracts. Extracts differ from essential oils or fragrances. While some extracts do add fragrance to the soap, their main benefits come from other properties. Add 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of extract for every 450g of soap, mixing them along with the colorants and fragrances. Here are some common extracts and their uses:
- Roman chamomile extract helps calm the skin, reduce stress, and offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Grapefruit seed extract is a natural disinfectant and is rich in vitamins A, C, and E.
- Green tea extract can help soothe sunburns, skin irritations, and acne.
- Guava extract, packed with vitamins A, B, and C, is great for aging skin.
- Papaya extract is beneficial for both dry and oily skin, helping to keep the skin soft and smooth.
Exfoliating with additives like ground oats. Mix ground oats into your soap base just before pouring it into the mold. Typically, you'll need 1-2 tablespoons (15-30g) of oats. Here are some popular choices:
- Jojoba beads and ground oats are gentle exfoliants, perfect for sensitive skin.
- Sea salt and fine sugar are medium-strength exfoliants.
- Coffee grounds and strawberry seeds are coarser. Limit to 1-2 teaspoons.
Place a rubber stamp designed for soap-making into the mold before pouring the soap. Some soap molds come with attractive patterns, but others are simply round, oval, square, or rectangular. If you want a more decorative soap, you can place a rubber stamp (with the patterned side facing up) into the mold before pouring in the soap. You can find these stamps and other soap-making supplies at craft stores. These are rubber pieces with raised patterns, similar to ink stamps.
- Choose a stamp that matches the shape of your mold. Use a round stamp for a round mold and a square stamp for a square mold.
- If the stamp gets stuck in the soap after unmolding, simply peel it off.
Create a surprise inside a clear glycerin soap bar. This is a fantastic idea for making soaps for kids. You can place a small plastic toy, such as a fish or spider, into the soap mold. Pour the soap base over the toy, and when you unmold it, the toy will be embedded inside.
- This method won't work with colored or opaque soaps; the toy won't be visible.
Swirl two different colors to make a marbled soap bar. Melt the soap base as usual, then divide it into two batches. Add different colors and scents to each batch. Pour the soap into the mold, alternating between the colors, then gently swirl the two colors together to create a marbled effect. Don't swirl too much, or the colors will blend completely. To create white soap with swirling colored streaks, follow these steps:
- Melt the soap base as usual, but don't add any colorants.
- Pour the soap into the mold.
- Add a drop of colorant at each corner and one drop in the center of the mold.
- Use a toothpick to swirl the colorant drops together.
Pour different colored soap layers one at a time to create a layered effect. Prepare half of the soap base and pour it into the mold. Prepare the next color layer with the remaining soap base. Wait for a thin layer to form on the first layer, then use a fork to score the surface of the soap. Pour the second layer and wait for it to harden.
- Spray each layer with rubbing alcohol while the soap is still wet to reduce air bubbles.
- This method works best when using large soap molds. Once the soap has hardened, unmold it and cut it into smaller pieces to reveal the colored layers.
Advice
- Experiment with different colors and fragrances to create a variety of unique soaps.
- 450g of soap base typically yields 4-6 bars of soap.
- You can purchase soap bases, essential oils, and colorants from craft supply stores or online shops specializing in soap-making materials.
- Store the soap in plastic bags to prevent it from "sweating".
- Some colored soap bases may affect the final color of your soap. For example, hemp soap base is green; if you add pink dye, your soap will turn brown.
- Spray rubbing alcohol onto the surface of the freshly poured soap. This helps break up air bubbles on the surface.
- You can use baking trays or silicone cupcake molds as soap molds. You can even use ice cube trays to make mini soap bars.
- Combine two types of soap bases by melting them together. A common combination is milk soap base and honey soap base.
- Choose corresponding colors and scents. Use lavender essential oil for purple soap and rose essential oil for pink soap.
Warnings
- Be cautious when selecting colorants and fragrances if you have sensitive skin.
- The soap base will be very hot; handle with care.
What You Need
- Dao sharp
- Chopping board
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Rubber whisk or stirring spoon
- Soap base
- Soap dye (liquid or powder form)
- Liquid glycerin (if using powder dye)
- Fragrance oils for soap making or essential oils
- Soap mold
- Isopropyl alcohol spray bottle 99% (cleaning alcohol)
