Making MP Melt and pour soaps is so easy and most of all it is great fun:
Firstly we will discuss how to make your soap and then some of the benefits and other options available
Step 1 – Preparing the area & melting the soap base:
Inside the basic kit you will have a 500gm block of Renascent Melt & Pour soap. You will need a double boiler or heat source, such as a microwave. This can be a smaller saucepan inside a larger one (with water in it) or a stainless steel bowl on top of the sauce pan. A gentle heat source directly in a pot or a microwave oven. If using a microwave, (all vary in heat) try around 30 second bursts on medium - high, then stir & pop back in if required.
1. Make sure there is some water in the base of the double boiler
2. Roughly chop up the desired quantity of soap you wish to melt and place it in the top of the double boiler (away from the water).
3. Over a reasonably low heat, allow your soap to melt, gently stirring as you go
4. If using a microwave, take away plastic food containers are good for melting in
* if it is not hot enough it will begin to set as your pour it, too hot, you will evaporate your fragrance.
Your soap can be melted again once or twice if this happens.
Each time you remelt your soap it will remove some of the water and provide a firmer (more long lasting) soap, however as you have evaporated the water away, you will have slightly less soap. You may like to add a little water as it remelts.
Step 2 – Add Colors / Fragrance:
Once the soap has melted you can add colors, fragrances, buttermilk powder or florals if desired.
Ensure that the soap is gently heated as the hotter it is the more rapidly your fragrance will evaporate.
1. Add a few drops of your chosen fragrance / essential oil(s), smell and apply to your own preference. *Take care – if you take a deep breath and your oils are evaporating, you will inhale them and this can be most uncomfortable.
2. Add a few drops of your chosen Renascent Soap pigment, you can mix the pigments to achieve different colors. *Note – if your colours are not bright enough – simply add a little more
Alternative colors can be used, such as food grade colors or dyes, however the colors may not ‘fix’ to the soap as well, causing people to slightly dye their skin on using the finished soap. Also certain food grade colors will fade in different lighting, eg – certain colors fade when exposed to sunlight, others when exposed to moonlight. Over time food dyes will ‘bleed’ into the color next to them also. The Renascent soap pigments have been especially formulated to blend well and remain true in soap making. *Take care – you will only need a drop or 2 for lighter colors, you can always add more as you go.
Step 3 – Add Botanicals:
· If you wish to add botanicals or flower petals, gently mix them through. (See further suggestions for this, later on in this booklet). *Remember, botanicals will sink to the bottom of your mold in most cases and if you use a lot of very fine botanicals, they can become caught in body hair when using the soap and create an unpleasant experience. Gluggy botanicals like oats, may clog up the drain as they are used – take care to add only a little.
They will also mostly go brown inside yours soaps and are therefore probably best scattered on the top of finished soaps.
Step 4 – Add Mica Shimmers / Additives:
If you wish to add shimmers, gently mix them through or paint into your mould before pouring to provide a luxurious effect.
Step 5 – Molding:
1. Ladle or gently pour your melted soap into the provided (cup) molds or see the further suggestions in this booklet.
2. Place aside to set. If you are in a hurry you can place in the fridge, however this may cause some sweating on their removal. Allow to set for at least 15 minutes until cold to the touch & firm.
Step 6 – Unmolding:
1. Turn mold upside down and gently press in the centre, the soap should easily release and come away from the mold, leaving you with a shiny beautifully finished cake of soap. Allow to harden for at least a day and then delight in a beautiful bathing experience.
Congratulations - Your soap is now complete