Basic Melt & Pour Soap Making
submitted by Lisa Maliga

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Melt & Pour (M&P) soap is pre-made glycerin soap which is made from vegetable oils. It is often better for your skin than many commercial brands found in your drug store or supermarket.

Yield: Approx. 2 pounds of soap Prep Time: 1 hour, depending on experience Price Category: 1 Difficulty Level: 1 Shelf Life: Indefinite Rating: Add your rating! Ingredients: 2 pounds Clear, Pre-Made Glycerin Melt & Pour Soap 1 color nugget (optional) or other coloring agent 1 teaspoon essential oil (or cosmetic grade fragrance oil) 6 4-ounce molds (for molding the soap)

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Blending Procedure:

1. Using a knife and cutting board, slice the soap into 1" to 2" cubes. Place cubes into a plastic container, first weighing the container and noting the weight, and putting the filled container onto the scale. Using your double boiler, fill the bottom part with water a few inches deep, and and put the soap in the top level and melt, stirring occasionally.

   If you melt your soap base in a microwave, don’t use the highest heat and watch the soap carefully. Don't melt it all the way ... leave a few chunks. These will melt easily when you remove the soap from the microwave and stir it gently.
   
   

2. If you are using color, add it now and stir. Cosmetic grade liquid colors can be used.
   
   
3. Once the color is incorporated into the soap, add about 1 teaspoon of fragrance oil or essential oil. Underscenting will cause your soap to be less aromatic after a few months. Adding a little more than 1 teaspoon of scent is okay but don't overdo it. Stir well to incorporate the scent.
   
   
4. Pour your soap into the mold. A rectangular shape is preferred. You can let your soap harden at room temperature, or you can put it into the freezer for about 30-60 minutes. Freezing the soap speeds up the hardening process and allows the soap to release from the mold more easily.
   
   
5. You can tell the soap is ready to be unmolded when the mold is cool and easily pulls away from the soap. Release the soap onto a wax paper-covered surface, then cover it with more wax paper and a paper towel. Allow thde soap to reach room temperature before using. (I prefer to let it sit for 24 hours so the scent can set.)
   
   
6. Carefully cut the soap with a large knife. This recipe yields approximately 6 4-ounce bars, depending on the size bars you want. Use a paring knife to trim the rough edges and traces of bubbles which may appear on the surface of the soap. These bubbles are usually most noticeable on darker colored soap.
   
   
7. Wrap the pieces of soap with cling wrap and label if it will be given as a gift for a special ocassion. You should list the ingredients on the label and keep the soap on a ridged soap dish to allow for drainage and keep away from direct sunlight.

Comments:

"The recipe is easy to follow and it looks like fun to make. Thanks :)"
Submitted by: roxypurple5

"This is going to be my first attemp at making soap. The receipt looks easy, so here we go. Thanks."
Submitted by: littlefox

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