How to Make Melt & Pour Soap

Learn to make Melt & Pour Soaps with our quick and easy tutorial!

For those interested in starting their own soap business or just as a fun weekend project, melt and pour soap making is a great way to get into the world of handmade cosmetics. It’s easy to learn and requires minimal supplies, so you can start crafting your own soaps right away. Let’s look at how to make melt and pour soap, covering all the basics and important questions.

Our recipe below is a guide and can be adjusted using all kinds of oils, colours and more on our website to create your own bespoke soaps.

What is Melt & Pour Soap?

“Melt and Pour Soap” is the name given to soap bases that have undergone the usual soap-making process, that can then we melted down to make new soap bars. This involves combining oils with an alkaline solution to create a reaction called saponification. You can use similar ingredients to traditional soaps but should add Glycerin for soothing and hydrating properties for the skin. Melt and pour soap is also considered to be “true” soap.

Melt & Pour Soap Ingredients

The first step to understanding how to make melt and pour soap is knowing what supplies you’ll need for the process. Melt and pour soap making relies on using pre-made blocks of soap base, which are melted down in order to add colours, fragrances, and other ingredients. You will need the preferred mould for the type of soap you would like to make. Then you might need other decorations, such as mica, dried flowers or glitter. Once you have all your supplies gathered up, it's time to get started!

How to Use Melt & Pour Soap Base

Learning how to make melt and pour soap is a great option for beginners because all you have to do is melt a premade base. The first step is to cut up the block of soap base into small cubes and place them into a heat-safe container. You will then place this container into a microwave on a low heat until melted down. Once melted, you can add your desired fragrance oils and/or colourants. Then it's time to pour the liquid soap mixture into moulds and let it cool until it returns to solid form. Once completely set, you can pop out your finished soaps from their mould!

How to Decorate & Package Melt & Pour Soap

Now that you have a basic understanding of how melt and pour soaps are made, you can start experimenting by adding decorations such as dried flowers or glitter for some extra flair. This is also where essential oils come in handy; they provide an added layer of scent without adding the harshness of artificial fragrances. Other ingredients, such as clays or exfoliants, can also be added for additional benefits to your skin. Have fun experimenting with different combinations until you find something perfect for yourself – or your customers! When it comes to packaging your melt and pour soap, we have found that plastic food wrap is a great option. Tightly wrap it around your soap to keep out any moisture. Please ensure all appropriate safety gear is worn when making this product.

Melt & Pour Soap Making is a popular way to make your very own soaps. Due to it's simplicity, you can melt your base, add your fragrance and colour, leave to set and use immediately.

For this recipe we have selected a pre-made soap base, with over 30 bases to choose from at Supplies For Candles we have the perfect soap base for you!

Equipment

• Large Mixing Jug
• Microwave
• Weighing Scales
• Measuring Spoon
• Mixing Spoon/Spatula
• Soap Mould
• Soap Cutter

Materials

• 500g Stephenson Melt & Pour Soap
• 10g Fragrance Oil (check usage rates)
• 3g Liquid Colour
• 5g Exfoliant (optional)

How to make Melt & Pour Soap

1. Firstly, carefully weigh out all of your ingredients, ensuring you are wearing gloves.
2. Then, to help your soap melt, cut your chosen base into small pieces.
3. Next, scoop your pieces into your jug and place in the microwave to melt. Initially melt for 60 seconds, remove and stir. Then repeat in small bursts of 30 seconds to ensure your soap doesn't boil and overheat. 
4. Once completely melted, pour in your chosen fragrance and stir.
5. Then, a few drops at a time, you can add in your liquid dye. Stir carefully, as it can be messy, until you reach your desired colour.
6. If you are adding an exfoliant, now is the time. Gently stir in your chosen ingredient until they have dispersed throughout.
7. Next, you can pour your soap mix into your mould.
8. Gently spray with isopropyl alcohol to help remove any unwanted bubbles. 
9. Then place your mould to one side to set. Leave for a few hours, overnight if possible, to ensure your bar has set fully.
10. As soon as you soap has set you can remove your bar from your mould. Simply, pull away at the sides and push from the bottom to pop out your soap.
11. Then you can cut your bar into your preferred shapes and your Melt & Pour Soaps are ready to use!

Check out another Melt & Pour Soap recipe here, using Goat's Milk:

Melt & Pour Soap FAQs

We have answered some of the most asked questions about how to make melt and pour soap:

Are melt and pour soaps natural?

Melt and pour soaps are made from 99% natural ingredients. Including a range of butters and oils to give each base it's unique properties.

Can I remelt melt and pour soap?

Yes, you can remelt melt and pour soaps and make it into new soaps. You can do this often, however, fragrances you’ve used with it will evaporate once it’s reheated and the formulation may change, i.e with added botanicals.

Can you use melt and pour soap right away?

Melt and pour soaps can be used immediately, once fully set. They do not require a curing period like cold process soap.

How long does melt and pour soap take to set?

This is all dependant on the size of the soap your are making. Generally, melt and pour soap takes approximately 2-4 hours to set. This can be influenced by things like room temperature and chosen additives. However, if you are making miniature soaps or embedments these can be set within 30 minutes to an hour.

How much fragrance should you use in melt and pour soap?

We recommend using 3% of fragrance when making melt and pour soap. This would mean using 30g of fragrance with 1kg of soap base. However, you should always check the IFRA statement for your chosen fragrance as restrictions can apply.

Conclusion

Melt and pour soap making is an accessible way for beginners to start creating their own soaps from scratch. With just a few supplies like fragrances oils, colours, moulds, etc., anyone can create unique soaps that make amazing gifts or items to sell on Etsy! Have fun exploring the possibilities that come with melt and pour soap making – who knows what you might come up with? Happy crafting!

For all your soap-making ingredients, check out our wide selection here.