Soap made from a melt-and-pour soap base is a method that is ideal for beginners. You buy the prepared soap base and add a colourant and an essence as you wish. Even this process has its pitfalls, though, so we bring you a photo tutorial that will help you when making soap from soap base.
About this tutorial
This photo tutorial was prepared for you by Lucia. It takes you through the whole process step by step — from preparing the ingredients and tools, through dispersing the colourant and melting the soap base, to pouring into the moulds and curing the finished soaps. Because you buy the base ready-made, all the work lies in melting it gently, colouring it and scenting it — which is why this is a method suitable for beginners.
Key benefits
- Ideal for beginners
You buy the soap base ready-made — all you have to do is melt it, colour it and pour it into a mould.
- Colour and scent as you wish
You add a colourant and an essence of your own choosing to the melted base.
- Soap that is quickly finished
After roughly an hour you take the soap out of the moulds, and after at least 24 hours of curing it is ready to use.
- A surface without bubbles
Spraying the top of the soap with alcohol prevents air bubbles from forming.
- A step-by-step photo tutorial
Every step of the process is documented with a photograph, so you have something to follow.
Product details
What do we need?
Before we start, we prepare the necessary ingredients and tools: soap base, colourant (mica), essential oil, alcohol for removing bubbles, a mug in which we will melt the soap base, a small container for dispersing the colourant, a mould, a spoon and protective gloves. We will go through the individual items in more detail below.
Soap base
The starting point is a ready-made soap base, which you buy prepared — and that is exactly why this method is so well suited to beginners. Before melting it, we cut it into smaller pieces so that it melts evenly and more quickly.
Colourant — mica
To colour the soap we use mica powder. We prepare the colourant before we actually melt the base: we mix about half a teaspoon of colourant into a small amount of oil (the author used rapeseed oil). The dispersed colourant then spreads evenly through the melted base.
Essential oil
The scent comes from an essential oil of your choosing — lavender, for example. We add it to the base only once it is melted, together with the prepared colourant.
Alcohol for removing bubbles
You can buy alcohol for removing bubbles in a paint and varnish shop; the author worked with isopropanol in a spray bottle. Once the base has been poured into the moulds, we spray the top of the soap with it — it prevents air bubbles from forming. A convenient alternative is IPA 99% — bubble remover spray.
Moulds and equipment
We pour the soap into a silicone mould — the shape is entirely up to you, from hearts and flowers to simple square pieces. We also prepare a mug in which we will melt the soap base (store it in such a way that you do not confuse it with a mug for cooking food), a small container for dispersing the colourant, a spoon and protective gloves.
How to make it
Preparing the ingredients and the colourant
- Ingredients and tools
We prepare the necessary ingredients and tools: soap base, colourant (mica), essential oil, alcohol for removing bubbles (you can buy it in a paint and varnish shop), a mug in which we will melt the soap base, a small container for dispersing the colourant, a mould, a spoon and protective gloves.
- Preparing the colourant half a teaspoon
Before we actually melt the base, we prepare the colourant. We mix about half a teaspoon of colourant into a small amount of oil (the author used rapeseed oil).
Melting the soap base
- Cutting up the base
We cut the soap base into smaller pieces and put it into the mug (store it in such a way that you do not confuse it with a mug for cooking food).
- Melting over a low flame low flame
We melt the soap base prepared in this way over a low flame. Be careful, the base must not reach boiling point, otherwise it would not harden.
Colouring, scenting and pouring
- Adding the essence and colourant to the base
We add the essential oil and the prepared colourant to the melted soap base. If the base should solidify, you can warm it again for a while. We mix the colourant thoroughly into the base and pour the base into the prepared moulds.
- Spraying with alcohol
As soon as we have poured the base into the moulds, we spray the top of the soap with alcohol, which prevents air bubbles from forming.
Curing and removing from the mould
- Removing and curing approx. 1 hourmin. 24 hours
After approximately an hour we can take the set soap out of the moulds and leave it to cure thoroughly for at least 24 hours. The soap is then ready to use.
Frequently asked questions about making soap from soap base
Practical questions about making soap from a melt-and-pour soap base — melting, preparing the colourant, bubbles and curing time.
Why must the soap base not reach boiling point?
We melt the soap base over a low flame. If it were to reach boiling point, the soap would no longer harden.
How do I prepare the colourant?
We prepare the colourant before melting the base: we mix about half a teaspoon of colourant into a small amount of oil — the author used rapeseed oil.
What should I do if the base solidifies while I am working?
Nothing to worry about — you can warm the base again for a while and carry on. Then mix the colourant thoroughly into the base and pour it into the prepared moulds.
What is the alcohol for and where do I buy it?
We spray the top of the soap with it right after pouring into the moulds — it prevents air bubbles from forming. You can buy it in a paint and varnish shop, or reach for IPA spray.
When can I take the soap out of the mould and start using it?
We take the set soap out of the moulds after approximately an hour and leave it to cure thoroughly for at least 24 hours. It is then ready to use.
Can I use an ordinary pot from the kitchen for melting?
The mug in which you melt the soap base should be stored in such a way that you do not confuse it with a mug for cooking food. Alongside it, prepare a small container for dispersing the colourant, a spoon and protective gloves.
You will find the soap bases, mica colourants, essential oils, bubble remover and silicone moulds from this photo tutorial in the Handymade range.
