Is Melt And Pour Good For Soap?
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 the same saponification process used to make cold process soap, but has already undergone that chemical reaction. This makes melt and pour soap quick and easy to work with compared to cold process soap making from scratch. https://www.candlescience.com/learning/what-exactly-is-melt-and-pour-soap/
Unlike cold process soapmaking, melt and pour soap bases come premade so you don’t have to use lye or go through saponification. To use melt and pour, you simply cut, melt, color, scent, and mold the flexible glycerin soap base. The glycerin helps retain moisture so the bars do not require a cure time. This makes melt and pour soap malleable and able to be crafted into embeds, soaps with designs, or even melt and pour soap slime.
While cold process involves from-scratch soapmaking by combining oils and lye, melt and pour skips this reaction by using a premade base. The convenience of melt and pour comes at the cost of less customization compared to cold process. However, melt and pour still allows creativity in adding colors, scents, and design elements.
Pros of Using Melt and Pour
Melt and pour soap is loved by many crafters and beginner soap makers due to the ease, speed, and flexibility it provides. Here are some of the main benefits of using melt and pour soap bases:
Easy to Use – Melt and pour only requires melting, mixing in additives, and pouring into molds. This makes the process straightforward and ideal for beginners compared to cold process soap making which requires combining lye and oils through a saponification process.
Fast Production – You can make melt and pour soaps in about 30 minutes from start to finish. This enables you to experiment and produce more batches and designs much quicker compared to cold process soap.
Variety of Bases – There are many melt and pour soap bases to choose from including clear, white, natural, shea butter, aloe vera, goat’s milk, and more. This allows you to select a base with properties suited for your purpose.
Color and Scent Flexibility – It’s easy to color and scent melt and pour soap by mixing in pigments, micas, or essential/fragrance oils. You have immense room for creativity compared to limitations with natural cold process.
Cons of Using Melt and Pour
One downside of using melt and pour soap is that it offers less customization compared to methods like cold process soapmaking. Since the saponification process has already occurred, you cannot alter the qualities of the soap by changing the oils. This means you have less control over factors like the lather, cleansing properties, and moisturizing abilities of the final bar (source).
Another con is that melt and pour soap bases contain added preservatives and chemicals to help stabilize the soap. This makes some melt and pour bases less natural than handmade cold process soaps. However, there are some more natural melt and pour bases available made with gentler preservatives (source).
Overall, those looking for a highly customizable all-natural soap may want to opt for cold process instead of melt and pour. But melt and pour can still be a great option for beginners or those short on time who want an easy introduction to soapmaking.
Best Uses for Melt and Pour
Melt and pour soap is ideal for beginner soap makers. Because the soap base is already made, there is no need to handle lye or go through the complex soap making process. Beginners can simply melt the base, add colors, scents, and extras as desired, and pour into molds. This makes it easy and safe to start soap making.
The fast turnaround time also makes melt and pour great for quickly making gift soaps. You can create a batch of customized, personalized soaps as last-minute gifts. The base also allows flexibility in designing fun shapes, embeds, and visual effects.
Kids and teens interested in making their own soap will also enjoy using melt and pour bases. With supervision, the melt and pour process can teach them how to make soap safely. Because there are endless possibilities for creativity, melt and pour is a fun activity for crafty kids.
Sources:
https://www.candlescience.com/learning/what-exactly-is-melt-and-pour-soap/
Melt and Pour Soap Base Ingredients
The main ingredients in melt and pour soap bases are:
Surfactants
Surfactants are cleansing agents that lower the surface tension of water to wash away oils and dirt. Common surfactants used in melt and pour bases include sodium stearate, sodium palmate, and sodium oleate which are derived from coconut, palm, and olive oils respectively. These create a gentle, moisturizing lather.
As noted on the Stephenson website, their all-natural melt and pour soap base contains sodium palm kernelate and sodium stearate as the main surfactants (source).
Humectants
Humectants help retain moisture and prevent soap from drying out. The primary humectant used is glycerin, a byproduct of the soapmaking process, which keeps soap smooth and moisturizing.
As Brambleberry notes, glycerin is a key ingredient included in all their melt and pour soap bases (source).
Bulking Agents
Sugars like sorbitol are often added as bulking agents to improve the texture and consistency of melt and pour soap. They help make the soap thick and easy to unmold.
The Stephenson melt and pour soap base contains sorbitol as a bulking agent (source).
Adding Colors, Scents, and Extras
One of the best parts of making melt and pour soap is customizing it with colors, scents, and fun extras. Here are some tips for adding these creative touches:
Types of Colorants
You can use both natural and synthetic colorants in melt and pour soap. Popular options include:
– Micas – Add a shimmery pearlescent effect. Use 1 tsp per pound of soap.
– Clays – Provide matte earthy tones. Use 1-2 tsp per pound.
– Oxides – Intense, vivid colors. Use just a small pinch.
– Herbal powders – Try matcha, turmeric, cinnamon. Use 1-2 tsp per pound.
– Liquid soap dyes – Concentrated, bold colors. Use just drops at a time.
Using Essential Oils
Essential oils not only provide fragrance, but can also add beneficial properties. Use 0.5-1 ounce of essential oil per pound of soap. Some popular choices include:
– Lavender – Relaxing, floral aroma.
– Lemon – Fresh, clean citrus scent.
– Peppermint – Invigorating minty smell.
– Tea tree – Natural antiseptic qualities.
– Eucalyptus – Cooling, medicinal fragrance.
Mixing in Ingredients
You can stir in various ingredients to make your soaps more exfoliating, moisturizing, or luxurious. Some add-ins to try include:
– Coffee grounds – For an invigorating exfoliant.
– Oatmeal – To gently slough off dead skin.
– Shea butter – For extra moisturizing quality.
– Honey – To hydrate and soften skin.
– Dried flowers – For a decorative touch.
Melt and Pour Recipe Ideas
Melt and pour soap allows for lots of creativity when it comes to unique soap designs. Here are some fun recipe ideas to try:
Layered soap bars are a popular melt and pour project. You can create stripes, swirls, and more by layering different colored melt and pour bases. Allow each layer to partially set up before adding the next. Get creative with colors and textures like adding dried flowers or oatmeal between layers. This Pinterest board has lots of layered soap inspiration.
You can also embed objects inside melt and pour soap like dried flowers, coffee beans, oats, seeds, etc. Poke holes in the soap base with a skewer, spoon, or straw before pouring, then place embeds inside. Allow to fully set up before unmolding. Just be sure to account for the extra weight when choosing embeds.
Melt and pour soap can be molded into fun shapes like hearts, stars, and more. Use silicone molds or upcycled containers like milk cartons. Get some tips in this tutorial for shaping melt and pour soap.
Tips for Working with Melt and Pour
When working with melt and pour soap bases, following some key tips will help ensure you end up with a quality finished product:
Properly melting the soap base is crucial. Melt the soap in a microwave safe container in 30 second intervals, stirring between each heating. Heat just until the soap is completely melted, being careful not to overheat or scorch the soap. Melting the soap at too high of a temperature can cause it to “seize” and make it difficult to work with. The ideal melting temperature is around 160-170°F (71-76°C) according to CandleScience.
Pour the melted soap at the proper temperature. Letting it cool too much before pouring will make it start to set up and get thick. The ideal pouring temperature is around 100-115°F (38-46°C). At this temperature, the soap will flow smoothly into the mold without too many bubbles. Pouring too hot can also cause bubbles.
Take steps to prevent bubbles while pouring. Spraying the mold with rubbing alcohol first can help prevent bubbles from forming as you pour. Pouring in a slow, thin stream from close to the mold can also minimize bubbles. Gently tapping the mold on the counter after pouring will help release any trapped air bubbles.
Storing and Curing Melt and Pour
Proper storage is important for getting the maximum lifespan out of your melt and pour soaps. Unlike cold process soap, melt and pour does not require a curing period. The saponification process takes place when the soap base is manufactured, so the soaps are ready to use as soon as they harden [1].
To maximize shelf life, wrap melt and pour tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container once it has completely hardened and cooled. This prevents the soap from absorbing excess moisture from the air. Stored properly, melt and pour soaps can last 9-12 months. Without wrapping, they may start to sweat, get sticky, or develop mold within weeks in humid environments [2].
Melt and pour should be stored at room temperature away from heat and light. Do not refrigerate or freeze the soaps. Cold temperatures can cause sweating and condensation [3].
Conclusion
Melt and pour soap offers both advantages and disadvantages compared to cold process soapmaking. On the plus side, it’s quicker, easier, and beginner-friendly. You don’t have to handle lye or go through a lengthy curing process. You also have more flexibility in terms of colors, scents, and creative designs. However, you sacrifice being able to fully customize the soap recipe and ingredients. The final product may not feel as high quality. Glycerin is also removed during the manufacturing process.
Overall, melt and pour is a great choice for beginners, kids, and crafters who want to make soap without dealing with lye. It’s fun for decorative soaps, embeds, or quick gifts. The convenience and lower risks make it ideal for casual hobbyists. However, artisan soapmakers will likely prefer cold process for full control over the ingredients and curing time. Ultimately, melt and pour vs cold process comes down to your specific soapmaking goals and preferences.
