Soap Making - Step by Step Guide
Posted by Ciara on 6th Mar 2023
Making your own homemade soap is a popular and timeless activity that has once again become popular to immerse yourself in. Let yourself be inspired by different ideas and fun techniques for making your own soap and express your creativity by making your soap unique with dyes, fragrance oils and potpourri. As a bonus, the handmade soap will have your bathroom radiating a spa, wellness, and self-indulgence vibe. We bring you The "Made by me Soap" range offering everything you need to get started. Find a list of all the materials required as well as general steps to create your own soaps.
SHOP THE PRODUCTS
From your own stash:
Paper cup or small microwave-safe container, saucepan, tablespoon, kitchen roll, long knife (straight blade), craft knife.
STEP BY STEP
Step 1.
Portioning
Cut the required amount from the soap block and then cut it into small cubes; this way the soap melts more evenly and faster when heated: the smaller the cubes, the faster the melting process. You can either melt the soap mass in a water bath with a saucepan or in the microwave.
Step 2.
Melting in a Pot
Fill the pot with water, place the soap cubes in a heat-resistant container and place/hang it in the pot. Slowly melt the soap over low heat. The ideal melting temperature is around 60 °C. Water and soap must not boil! The soapy mass should be completely melted.
Step 3.
Melting in a Microwave
Place the soap cubes in a container suitable for the microwave and melt slowly at 500 watts. The soap must not boil. As every microwave is different, start with 1 to 2 minutes and increase if necessary until the soap mixture is completely melted.
Step 4.
Fragrances & Colours
The melted soap mass can be enriched with color and fragrance. Drop the appropriate amount into the soap mixture and slowly stir in with a wooden stick so that as few air bubbles as possible are formed.
Tip: For multi-colored bars of soap, it is advisable to pour the soap mixture into several white paper cups; so you can process different colors and scents at the same time.
Step 5.
Filling the Mould
Now fill the mixed soap mass into the mould. To avoid bubble formation, pour the mass slowly at a low level. If you forgot to do it beforehand, you can also stir in colour and scents in the mold immediately after pouring.
Step 6.
Bubble Formation
If bubbles form on the soap mass after filling, rub them over the edge of the silicone mold with a wooden stick or wait a short time until (similar to milk) a skin has formed. The skin can be carefully removed with the help of a wooden stick.
Tip: Soap residue can be reused the next time you melt it down.
Step 7.
Removing the Soap
Depending on the room temperature, the size of the soap and the thickness of the layer, the soap will need around 30 to 60 minutes to harden. When the soap feels cool and hard, squeeze the soap bar out of the mold. Use a cutter or knife to cut off small bumps on the edges.
Step 8.
Storage and Packaging
Keep the soap bars uncovered in a dark, cool and dry place for 10 to 14 days to ripen and then wrap them in cling film for storage. Info: Small droplets can form on the surface of the soap as it ripens. This is not a quality defect, but due to the composition of the glycerine soap. Simply remove the droplets by rinsing with water and then dry the soap bars again.
Tip: If you're in a hurry, allow the soap bars to flash dry at room temperature for at least 2 to 3 hours and then wrap tightly in cling film before gift-wrapping.