Learn a simple microwave recipe for homemade glycerin soap.This recipe is easy to use for kids to make as gifts.
Making glycerin soap is fun and easy and children can enjoy producing bars of sweet smelling and beautiful soap to sell or give as gifts. Soapmaking with craft store soap base is easier than you think and the process is simple. This method involves use of the microwave oven. Children will need supervision in working with the hot soap. There is cost involved you will need the following supplies to make a batch.
You will need:
- Soap molds(or use shallow shaped metal containers like muffin tins)
- Fragrance oil
- Colorant
- Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle
- A large glass bowl (use only for soap making thereafter!)
- A knife
- Plastic wrap
- 1 pound of white or clear solid glycerin soap base
Soap making ingredients are available at craft stores and department store like Wal-Mart or Mejiers in the craft section. The molds come in many shapes-ovals, circles, hearts, squares, etc. They can be used repeatedly. The white soap base will make non-transparent soaps the clear will make fancy colored see through bars.
Children like choosing the fragrances to add to their soap mixes. The fragrances can be fruity types or flower and plant scents.
Follow these easy steps:
Step1: Cut the soap base into chunks about one-inch square and place these into the glass bowl.
Step 2: Microwave for one minute. Stop the oven and stir the soap with the wooden spoon. Repeat until the soap base is completely melted.
Step 3: Stir in about two tablespoons of the fragrance oil and enough colorant to get the mixture the color you like.
Step 4: Stir and then pour into the molds.
Step 5: Spray immediately with the alcohol. (This will eliminate the air bubbles that form in the base while heating and stirring.)
Step 6: Allow the bars to cool for about thirty minutes before dislodging them from the molds.
Step 7: Lay the bars of soap on waxed paper to dry overnight. Wrap the bars in plastic wrap.
Gift Giving:
These glycerin bars make pretty gifts and can be spruced up with a small piece of ribbon or raffia tied around each. You might arrange them in small baskets or metal pint-sized buckets.
To make this gift extra pretty, try adding a pressed dried flower to the top of each bar just as it begins to harden. Wrap the bar carefully so as not to break the dried flower.
Variations:
Another variation is to add sand to a small portion of the soap and pour this first into each mold. Fill the mold the rest of the way with the unsanded base. This will be a good soap for scrubbing.
Try adding oatmeal to make a soothing soap for itches. Crumple the oats in your hand to slightly break it up.
A few sprigs of mint or rosemary can also be used to lay on the warm soap to decorate each bar.
Use some creativity in trying additives to decorate the soap.
Caution: Remember that children may have allergies to fragrance oils and colorants. Use care when selecting, when adding the scents, and when using the soaps.
