Do I Need To Add Anything To Melt And Pour Soap?

ByGrayson Harris

What is Melt and Pour Soap?

Melt and pour soap is a ready-made soap base composed of fatty acids, glycerin, and other natural ingredients. The base is produced through a process called saponification, which is the chemical reaction between lye and oils that creates soap (source: https://www.candlescience.com/learning/what-exactly-is-melt-and-pour-soap/).

Unlike cold process soap making where you have to handle lye, melt and pour soap base has already undergone saponification. This makes it a great option for beginner soap makers since there is no need to use any hazardous chemicals. It’s also faster and easier than making soap completely from scratch.

To use melt and pour soap, all you need to do is cut or shred the base into smaller pieces. Then heat it either in the microwave or over a double boiler until it melts completely. Once melted, you can add colors, scents, and other additives. Finally, pour the soap into molds and let it harden back into bars (source: https://www.soapguild.org/tools-and-resources/resource-center/100/intro-to-melt-and-pour-soaps/).

The main benefits of using melt and pour soap base are that it’s versatile, customizable, and has a short cure time compared to cold process soaps. You can create an endless variety of soaps with different shapes, colors, scents, and designs.

Using Melt and Pour Soap Base

The main advantage of melt and pour soap is its convenience and ease of use. Unlike cold process soap making which requires working with lye, melt and pour soap can be used right away after simply melting the soap base (Source). The soap base is already saponified so there is no chemical reaction needed.

Another benefit of melt and pour soap is its customizability. Colorants, fragrances, oils, botanicals and more can be added to personalize the soap. The melted soap base readily absorbs additions so it’s easy to stir in ingredients like exfoliants, essential oils for scent, etc. This allows for creativity and making soaps with specific properties tailored to the user.

Optional Additives

While melt and pour soap base creates a nice bar of soap on its own, many soap makers like to customize their soaps by adding optional additives. These extra ingredients can enhance the aesthetic appeal, scent, texture, and skin benefits of the final product. Some of the most common additives used in melt and pour soap include:

Fragrance oils – These synthetic scents let you create soaps with tailored aromas like lavender, coconut, or cotton candy. Most soapers recommend adding 1/2 to 1 ounce of fragrance oil per pound of soap base. Popular oils are available from brambleberry.com (https://www.brambleberry.com/shop-by-craft/soap-making/melt-and-pour/additives).

Essential oils – For a more natural scent, essential oils like lemon, peppermint, or tea tree can be used instead. Use oils sparingly as they may irritate skin at higher concentrations.

Colorants – Vibrant colors make melt and pour soaps stand out. Liquid soap dyes, mica powder, and cosmetic clays are safe options. Use 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon per pound of soap.

Exfoliants – Mix in ingredients like oats, coffee grounds, or pumice to provide scrubbing action. This helps remove dead skin cells. Limit exfoliants to 1 tablespoon per pound of soap.

Herbs, flowers, etc. – Botanicals like dried lavender buds, rose petals, or lemon peel add natural beauty. But they can discolor over time so use sparingly. See blog.bulkapothecary.com (https://blog.bulkapothecary.com/homemade-recipe-ideas/soap-recipes/melt-and-pour-101-additives-botanicals/) for tips.

When adding any embellishments, it’s important not to overload the soap base or it may become brittle or unmoldable. Most recommend limiting total additives to 1-2 tablespoons per pound of soap base.

Common Additives

Some of the most common additives used in melt and pour soap include botanicals like dried flowers, herbs, and purees as well as exfoliating ingredients like oats, coffee grounds, and sea salt.

common additives for melt and pour soap include fragrance oils, essential oils, colorants, and botanical ingredients

When using dried botanicals like lavender buds or rose petals, a general guideline is to add 1 tablespoon of dried flowers per pound of soap base. For herbs and spice powders, start with 1/2 teaspoon per pound of soap. It’s best to start small with strong spices like cinnamon.

Exfoliating ingredients like oats and salt can be added at about 1-2 tablespoons per pound of soap. Coffee grounds also work well for exfoliation at around 1 tablespoon per pound. Too much exfoliant can make the soap scratchy so it’s best to gradually add and test the texture.

Most additives for melt and pour soap can be found at online vendors like Bulk Apothecary and Wholesale Supplies Plus which carry a wide variety. Craft stores may also carry options like dried flowers and herbs.

Adding Scents

One of the best parts of making melt and pour soap is being able to add your own custom scents. You have two main options for scenting melt and pour soap – using synthetic fragrance oils or natural essential oils.

Fragrance oils are synthetic scents created for soap making, candles, and other crafts. They come in an incredible variety of scents from fruits, florals, bakery, to masculine. Fragrance oils scent very strongly so you only need to use 1-2 teaspoons ppo (per pound of soap). Some popular fragrances for melt and pour soap are lavender, lemon, rose, and clean cotton.1

Essential oils are distilled from plants and provide natural scents. They are often more expensive than fragrance oils. You typically need to use more essential oil to get the same scent strength as a fragrance oil. A starting usage rate is 3-5% or about 1 tablespoon ppo. Some essential oils that work well in melt and pour soap are lavender, lemon, peppermint, and tea tree.

You can also blend fragrances or essential oils together to create custom scents. Start with one main scent and add secondary scents at a lower usage rate. For example, you might do a lavender and vanilla soap with 2 tsp lavender fragrance oil and 1/2 tsp vanilla fragrance oil ppo.

Coloring Melt and Pour Soap

One of the easiest and most popular ways to customize melt and pour soap is by adding color. There are two main types of colorants that work well – liquid dyes and powdered pigments like mica. Liquid dyes blend easily into melted soap for vibrant, even color. Micas and powdered clays can create a speckled, natural look. It’s also possible to mix colors by layering differently colored soap or creating swirls and designs.

When working with liquid dyes, start with just a few drops at a time mixed into the melted soap base before pouring. Most liquid soap dyes are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. Add more dye gradually until reaching the desired shade. Powdered colorants like mica can be sprinkled directly into melted soap. Use a small spoon or pinch to disperse mica a bit at a time for bold color, or just a touch for a sheer wash of color. Mix well after each addition of mica to fully incorporate the powder.

Vibrant swirls and layered looks can be created by dividing melted soap into separate containers, coloring each one differently, then carefully pouring the colors in layers or swirling together. Get creative with colors and designs, but keep in mind less is often more with handmade soap. Stick to just one or two bold colors or try a simple two-tone look for maximum visual impact.

Exfoliating Additives

Exfoliants can be added to melt and pour soap to help remove dead skin cells and leave skin feeling smooth and renewed. Some common exfoliants used in soapmaking include:

Jojoba beads – Jojoba beads are especially effective in melt and pour soap. Their round shape makes them gentle exfoliators. According to The Spruce Crafts, jojoba beads are “especially effective in melt and pour or rebatched soap.”

Pumice – Pumice is a mild exfoliant made from volcanic rock. It has a sandy, fine texture that works well in melt and pour soap. According to BrambleBerry, “Its fine texture works well in cold process and melt & pour soap.”

Coffee grounds – Fresh coffee grounds can be gently rubbed into the skin to exfoliate. According to Nature’s Garden, coffee grounds were added to their Coffee Melt and Pour Soap Recipe to naturally exfoliate. The grounds provide a gritty texture.

Sugar or salt – Finely ground sugar or salt crystals can be used as an exfoliant in handmade soaps. Use a small amount, around 1 tablespoon per pound of melt and pour soap base.

Exfoliants should be added to lukewarm soap base and mixed thoroughly before pouring into molds. Use a spoon or spatula to gently fold in the exfoliant so it distributes evenly without sinking to the bottom.

Herbs, Flowers and Natural Additives

Herbs, flowers and other natural botanicals can make wonderful additions to melt and pour soap. They add visual interest, texture, and even beneficial properties. Some commonly used botanicals include:

  • Dried flowers like calendula, rose petals, lavender buds, etc. (Source)
  • Herbs like chamomile, rosemary, lavender, etc. (Source)
  • Spices like cinnamon sticks or powders, coffee beans, etc.
  • Natural exfoliants like oatmeal, poppy seeds, etc.

High quality dried flowers and herbs can be purchased from reputable soap making suppliers. You can also dry your own from fresh flowers, herbs and plants. Make sure botanicals are fully dried before adding to melt and pour soap.

To prepare botanicals for soap: grind dried flowers and delicate herbs into a powder, break up thicker herbs, leave spices like cinnamon sticks whole. Fold botanicals into melted soap base just before pouring into molds. Use up to 1 tablespoon of botanicals per pound of soap base. Go easy at first, you can always add more for a stronger visual effect.

Creating Layers and Designs

One of the most creative aspects of working with melt and pour soap is experimenting with layers, swirls, and embedded objects to create unique designs. Here are some techniques for creating layered soaps:

To create distinct layers, first prepare the melt and pour soap base according to package instructions. Separate the melted soap into different containers and color or scent each one as desired. Working quickly, pour the layers one at a time into the soap mold, allowing each layer to partially set up before adding the next. Tap the mold gently on the counter to release air bubbles between layers.

Swirling melt and pour soap while fluid creates beautiful marbled effects. There are a few different ways to swirl:

  • Pour contrasting colors into the mold one after the other, then use a chopstick or skewer to gently fold and swirl the soap into patterns.
  • Layer the soap colors, then create swirls by pouring a contrasting color in thin lines across the existing layer and using a skewer to fold it gently like ribbon candy.
  • For dramatic swirls, mix up a third contrasting color and pour this over the layered soap, then swirl with a chopstick.

Get creative by embedding small objects within melt and pour soap designs. Some ideas: dried flowers, coffee beans, seeds, small seashells, spices, or embossed charms. Gently press items into the surface of the soap after pouring into molds. [1] Avoid anything that may later react with the soap ingredients.

With imagination and some trial and error, the possibilities for artistic melt and pour soap creations are nearly endless.

Storing Melt and Pour Soap

Properly storing both unused melt and pour soap base as well as finished soaps is important for maintaining quality and freshness. Here are some tips:

For unused melt and pour soap base:

  • Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and humidity. Excessive heat can cause the soap base to sweat and lose quality.
  • Seal tightly in an airtight container. Air exposure can cause the soap base to dry out.
  • Store away from direct sunlight, which can discolor the soap over time.
  • The shelf life is 1-2 years if stored properly.

For finished and unused soaps:

With proper storage, both unused and finished melt and pour soap can retain its quality and scent for optimal use and enjoyment.

Similar Posts