Making glycerin soap may seem difficult to some, especially if you imagine making soap that requires an alkaline solution, but making soap by melting glycerin and then pouring it won't take much time. You can make glycerin soap as a decoration or use it at home in your spare time or give it as a gift to your friends and family. Learn the following basic soap-making methods and their variations.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making Basic Glycerin Soap
Step 1. Purchase the materials you need
Craft stores usually sell glycerin, which is the basic ingredient of soap in the form of a bar that can be melted. If you're really excited, you can make your own glycerin, but buying white or other colored glycerin at a craft store will be easier for you. Clear glycerin soap always looks slightly transparent, regardless of the color you choose. In addition to glycerin, you will also need the following ingredients:
- essential oil. Craft stores also sell essential oils for use in glycerin soap. You only need a few drops to scent the entire soap you make, so you can opt for a smaller bottle. Choose lemon verbena oil, rose oil, lavender, peppermint or any other scent you like.
- Soap mold. Craft shops sell many types of prints, from small to very large. Be sure to choose a mold that works with glycerin soap, so the soap will come out of the mold on its own once it hardens.
- Medical alcohol. If you don't have alcohol at home, buy a bottle of alcohol at the pharmacy. Pour alcohol to clean the spray bottle; You need it to remove bubbles from the glycerin before it hardens.
Step 2. Melt the glycerin in a double pan
Cut as much glycerin as you need to fill your soap mold, then cut it into small pieces so it will melt easier. Place the pieces of glycerin in a saucepan, fill the pan with water and heat it over medium heat. Heat the glycerin until it is completely melted.
- If you don't have a double pan, you can make your own. Find two pans, one large and the other smaller so it can fit inside. Fill the larger pot with a few inches of water. Place the small saucepan inside the large pot so that it floats on top of the water. Place the pan over medium heat. Place the glycerin chunks in a small saucepan that doesn't contain any water, and allow it to melt.
- You can also melt glycerin in the microwave. Place the glycerin chunks in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat for 30 seconds until completely melted.
- You can melt the whole stick of glycerin at once or chop it up a little at a time until you have enough glycerin to make soap. The finished soap will have the same weight and volume as a glycerin bar, only it will look beautiful.
Step 3. Add the essential oil
Add a few drops of oil; because this oil is very concentrated, even a little can give a strong aroma. Use a wooden spoon to stir the drops of oil evenly into the glycerin, then remove the glycerin from the heat.
Step 4. Prepare the soap mold
Place the soap mold on a flat surface with a tissue. Use a spray bottle filled with alcohol to spray the alcohol into the soap mold, and coat the area where the glycerin will be filled. The alcohol will prevent bubbles from forming in the soap as it cools and dries. If you don't use alcohol, your finished soap will probably have a layer of bubbles.
Step 5. Pour in the soap
Lift the top pan and carefully pour the soap into the mould. Fill each mold to the end. Be careful not to fill it too full, or the finished soap shape won't be perfect.
- If the soap is difficult to pour directly into the pan, use a funnel to pour it out or put it in a bottle with a funnel first before pouring it into the soap mold. You'll need to do this step quickly, because the soap doesn't cool before it goes into the mould.
- If necessary, reheat the soap before pouring it back in. Reheat in a double pan or microwave for a few minutes to make pouring easier.
Step 6. Spray the alcohol again
Use a spray bottle to spray the alcohol on the soap after pouring it into the mold as long as it's still a liquid. That way, you can prevent bubbles from forming on the top of the soap.
Step 7. Let the soap cool, then remove it from the mold
Allow the soap to cool in the mold for an hour or two, until it is completely firm. Flip the soap mold over to remove your finished glycerin soap.
- Gently tap the back of the mold if the soap doesn't come out of the mold immediately.
- Store soap in an airtight container until ready to use.
Method 2 of 2: Creating Interesting Variations
Step 1. Make soap with string
After melting the glycerin, pour it into a large plastic or metal bowl. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Dip a string a certain length into the glycerin liquid, then remove it from the bowl and allow the liquid to cool and harden. Dip again to make a second layer, then remove from liquid and allow to cool. Dip back into the glycerin liquid until you reach your desired thickness.
- Use ropes creatively. Try making a knot or loop out of the rope before dipping it in the glycerin solution, to make different shapes of soap.
- Hang the rope on the handle of your shower so you can easily use it in the shower.
Step 2. Make multicolored soap
You can buy clear glycerin and color it using cosmetic dye, which is also sold at craft stores. After melting the glycerin, separate the dye into portions and add a few drops of the dye before pouring the soap into the mold.
Step 3. Add embellishments to the soap
You can also add solids to the soap to decorate it. This method is perfect for adding a personal touch to your party favors, or matching your bathroom decor. Consider the following options:
- Make floral soap by dipping dried flower petals in liquid glycerin before you pour it into the mold.
- Make birthday party soap by filling half a soap mold and then inserting a small toy such as a plastic toy or other object in the center of the soap. Pour in the soapy liquid again to seal it completely.
- Make a seven-monthly event souvenir soap by pouring soap into a mold and then putting a rattle or other baby toy into the soap.
Step 4. Make your own mold
If you can't find a soap mold you like at the store, you can make your own. You can use any hard plastic object as a soap mold. If you usually use these items for food, be sure to wash them well before using them again.
- The ice cube box can be used as a soap mold. Use these simple boxes or buy ice cube molds with interesting shapes such as fish, shells or skulls.
- To make larger sizes of soap, use a plastic bowl or cup. You can also use recycled plastic containers too, such as yogurt packaging.
Tips
- If you want to make a mild white soap, buy an opaque glycerin base as your soap base and don't add dye to it.
- Show your homemade soap in a clear glass container to decorate your kitchen or bathroom.
- Use a toothpick or similar object to carve out soap and create interesting designs.
- Wrap the soap in clear paper or plastic to keep the surface clean and then place it in wrapping paper. Tie a ribbon to beautify your soap.
