The Basics Part 2

Continued from Page 1)

Jump Starting the Process
Making soap with a "melt and pour" base is sort of like making a cake with a cake mix. What you lose in control of your ingredients and customization of your recipe, you make up for in safety, ease and convenience.
With melt and pour soap making, you buy pre-made blocks of uncolored, unscented soap “base” from a craft store or soap supplier. You melt the soap base in the microwave or a double boiler. When the soap is fully melted, you add your fragrance, color and/or additives. Put it in a mold, and voila, you’re done. The soap is ready to use as soon as it hardens.

To get started making melt and pour soap you only need:

A counter top or other clean workspace with a microwave or double boiler
A heat resistant bowl for the microwave
A couple of spoons or whisks
Some melt and pour soap base
A set of measuring spoons
Fragrance, color, or additives, as desired
Something to mold the soap in
That’s it. From your first try, you can have wonderful results.

Pros of Melt and Pour

An easy and inexpensive way to start making soap
No need to deal with dangerous lye mixture
You don’t need a lot of ingredients to start
Your soap is ready to use as soon as it hardens
Cons of Melt and Pour

No control over your ingredients
Melt and Pour is not quite as “natural” as other methods. (Many manufacturers add chemicals to increase lather or to better allow the soap to melt.)
Your soap is only as good as the base you purchase