Have you ever thought you might like to learn to make Melt and Pour Soaps? When I started making soap a few years ago I didn't realize how different each base was.

I started to research and study the properties of the oils and butters used in soap base. I was amazed at how many soap bases have harsh chemicals, so my search for an all natural base began. When I finally found the perfect brand of soap bases I had to have them. When you are using something on your skin it is very important to know what you are buying. You want to stay away from chemicals such as Sodium Laurel Sulfate, it is very drying to the skin. I use bases rich in oils and butters for a very moisturizing bar of soap. My personal favorites are Shea Butter (awesome rich moisturizing), Castile (rich in Olive Oil), Goats Milk (10% added Goats Milk) and Aloe (clear with added Aloe Vera).

What you need to make soap:
A medium size glass or microwave safe bowl
A sharp knife
A clean cutting board
A spoon
Measuring Spoon or Pipettes
1/2 cup Measuring Cup
Molds or Loaf Pan
Soap Base
Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil (be sure this is body safe)
Spray Bottle of Rubbing Alcohol

Make sure you know the weight of the soap that you are using. I bought a very good postal scale that is right on the money with weight from the post office for 25$. Weigh your soap and then cut it up in about 1" chunks, put the chunks in your bowl and microwave on high setting in 45 second spurts until melted. Add your Fragrance oil or Essential oil using the pipette or measuring spoon. Use about 1-2 teaspoons per pound of soap base. You never want to add more than 3 teaspoon per pound of any added oils or it will compromise the lather of the soap.

Mix very gently to avoid bubbles. After you have mixed your soap, use your measuring cup to dip it into the molds. I use the 1/2 cup because it is 4 ounces and that is a basic size for soap molds. (I use clamshell molds so that each one is individual and I can just pop the lid on and label without handling the soap after it is finished).

If you have bubbles on top of the soap you can give them a spritz of the rubbing alcohol to get rid of them. It will take a couple hours for your soap to cool enough to pop them out of the molds to package. You can use shrink wrap, cello wrap or zip lock bags. Be sure to put the ingredients on the label if you are giving these away as gifts. There you have it! It is that easy to make soap using melt and pour soap base.

~ Christie Beach