Soap Making Guide

Making your own soaps is so much fun, not only that, but I don't know anyone who hasn't been thrilled to receive a gift set of handmade soaps made especially for them. Melt & Pour Soaps don't need any 'curing' time - you simply cut up the soap base, pop it in a pan (or the microwave) and heat it, then pour the melted soap into the moulds. Here are some basic instructions and some suggestions for making different types of soaps.

YOU WILL NEED

1)    An Estheticals Kit

2)  A Clean Pan

3)  A Soap Mould

HOW TO MAKE THEM

·         IF MAKING VARIOUS COLOURS OR FRAGRANCES - You should divide the soap base now.

·         MELTING THE SOAP BASE - Cut the soap base into fairly small  squares - about 2 cm by 2 cm and then put it into the pan. Turn on the heat - it doesn't matter what setting but watch the soap as it should never boil. Keep stirring until it is thoroughly melted. ALTERNATIVELY you can melt the soap in a microwave - put it on a low setting and watch it carefully as it shouldn't boil.

·         ADD THE COLOURING – If you’re using liquid colour you will just need a few drops – you need to mix it in now.

·         If you’re using a powdered colour simply add a PINCH at a time, until you have your desired colour (a little goes a long way and as the colour gets wet it will deepen considerably - I advise you use the handle of a teaspoon to pick up just a little of the coloured powder).

·         ADD THE FRAGRANCE – Add just a few drops of essential oil or a little more if using fragrance oil. Most essential or fragrance oils are safe to use but please be aware some people have a sensitivity to highly fragranced products - also if you are making soaps for children I would use the Fragrance Oils and avoid the Essential oils.

·         pLEASE TAKE CARE WHEN USING ESSENTIAL OILS ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN.

·         MAKING THE SOAPS - your soap is now ready to pour into the moulds - do so carefully.

·         If you want to make a 2 coloured soap you will need to half fill the mould, leave it to set thoroughly, melt the next batch of soap base and then repeat the process - then simply pour the second batch on top of the first batch - they should seal together making one bar.

·         ADDING OTHER INGREDIENTS AND FLOWERS - It is easy to add petals, oats or exfoliators (such as poppy or sesame seeds) to your soaps - you can sprinkle them on top when the soap is half set or, if you'd like your petals suspended in the soap, wait until the soap is partly solid and stir in the petals. If they sink or rise, wait 10 minutes and give it a stir.

·         AND FINALLY - When your soap is thoroughly set you should be able to simply flip the mould over, and tap the soap out. If they don't come out straight away, try twisting the moulds to release the soap.

IDEAS FOR SOAP CREATIONS

·         ROSE & YLANG YLANG - with a Rose Petal Crust.

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·         FUN & FRUITY SOAPS - You can use fruit shaped ice cube trays to make little fruity soaps - great for encouraging children to wash and bath.

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·         ROUND, EGG OR HEART SHAPED SOAPS - Very popular these days but tricky to make - you'll need a bath bomb mould and you will need to wait until the soap is almost set before pressing the 2 halves together. This is tricky, as the top of the soap always sets first and this is the bit you are trying to get to stick.

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·         SPA SOAPS - Try adding skin softeners (like oats) or exfoliators (like poppy seeds or loofah) - experiment with things you have in your kitchen - most seeds, beans and grains are fairly safe to add to soap.

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