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Terrific Little Soap Art Booklet
Includes: instructions, recipes and ideas $3 or FREE with any soap base purchase
Basic Renascent Melt and Pour Soap Instructions
You have 2 methods of melting your Renascent white or Transparent soap base, on a stove top or in the microwave:
Step 1 – Preparing the area: You will need a double boiler. This can be a smaller saucepan inside a larger one or a stainless steel bowl on top of the sauce pan.
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
I have also placed my soap base directly in the base pot and allowed it to melt over a gentle direct heat. It seems to have worked quite well also.
The microwave.
For the microwave, ensure the bowl you are melting your soap base in is covered with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent excess moisture evaporating.
Place your microwave on medium for 3 minutes and stir any unmelted pieces through. You may need to repeat this process a couple of times depending on quantity of soap you are melting.
*NOTE – Unlike glycerine soap which as your soap sets will form ‘beads’ of sweat on the soap and ruin the appearance. The Renascent soap base is quite stable and will not easily do this.
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. I am not sure how many times it can be remelted before it ‘seizes’ although I have remelted it many times and still had success.
Step 2 – Add Colors / Fragrance:
1. 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. 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 dye, you can mix the dyes to achieve different colors.
We recommend Renascent pigment dyes, although alternative colors can be used, such as food grade colors, 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 – eg – if you made a soap art with red in one section and yellow in another, over a short period of time the entire soap will become a ‘peach’ color.
The Renascent soap dyes 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:
1. If you wish to add botanicals or flower petals, gently mix them through. *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.
Step 4 – Molding:
1. Ladle or gently pour your melted soap into the molds.
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 5 hours, preferably overnight.
3. Pour into your molds - and spray the top with rubbing alcohol (available from Renascent) to get rid of any excess bubbles.
Step 5 – 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.
Additional Information…..
Adding Mica dust – Renascent stock a beautiful range of mineral cosmetic powders which are perfect for cosmetics, candle and soap making. It is very inexpensive and you only need a pinch.
After you have melted your soap and added the colors and fragrances, add a tiny pinch and wait a few moments. Do not add more at this stage, it takes a few moments to show. You will notice a beautiful shimmer suddenly appear throughout your soap. If desired, you can add a pinch more at this stage to get the effect you desire. Alternatively – paint shimmer in mold to give your unmolded soaps a gold / shimmer appearance.
Soap Petals for guests – Renascent now stock inexpensive high quality silk flower petals. These are lovely to use as guest soaps. Melt your Renascent Melt and Mold soap as usual, adding colors or fragrances if desired. Dip each petal in and place on a piece of tinfoil or wire rack to dry. When set (usually only a few minutes) you will have beautiful soap petals. Place in a dish for guests to take one and wash their hands. A lovely idea for parties or special guest soaps. Packaged up, these make very (inexpensive) special gifts.
Adding Botanicals – Many different items can be added to your soaps. Try adding green tea leaves, dried basil leaves, herbs, dried flower petals. Anything you can imagine. It is important to dry the botanicals prior to use as they may otherwise become mouldy or rancid.
Different Molds – Many different objects can be used for soap molds. The best choices are professional soap molds or chocolate moulds. The little sea shell chocolate molds are lovely for guest soaps, however, ensure people do not confuse them with sweets. (They look and smell great, but don’t taste so good) Some chocolate style molds are now available for larger items such as love heart shapes – these are ideal for soap making molds. (Renascent stock a range of trays & 3D molds)
A milk carton can be used to make a bar style soap. Pour your melted soap in as usual and once set it can be cut into bars. I find for a 1 litre milk carton – my hardening time is around 4-5 hours. It will still feel slightly warm often when I unmold it. I peel the milk carton off (once only use). Then placing the block on a chopping board covered with tin foil, I mark where I want my divisions to be and then use a cleaver to slice through, coming soon Renascent will be stocking a full range of professional slicing machines.
If you want to seriously get into the soap making this may be the way to go.
It is a really lovely sight when you have just unmolded about 6 different blocks of soap and sliced them up. The kitchen smells wonderful and there is a great self satisfaction that comes about with soap making.
FAQ
Q. My favourite !!! How much soap will 1kg make?
A: About 1 kg of soap!! If your molds take 100gm then around 10 soap bars (generally 10-30 soaps per 1 kg)
Q. I previously made soap that has little ‘beads’ of water all over it
A. – If you use a glycerine soap base, when it is left to come into contact with the air it will draw moisture from the air to the soap and when your soap sets it will form ‘beads’ of sweat on the soap and ruin the appearance. The only way to prevent this with glycerine soaps is to completely seal them. (This does NOT usually happen with the Renascent soap bases)
Q. How do I know how much dye to use
A. Just add according to what shade looks right.
Q. How do I know how much fragrance to use
A. Just add according to what smells right and then add just a touch more (due to evaporation).
Q. When I unmolded my soap, it wasn’t quite set & I ruined it
A. Your soap can be melted again once or twice if this happens.
Q. Do I need to purchase the beginners soap making full set again?
A. No, Renascent supply 1 kg blocks of Melt & Mold soap, essential oils, fragrant oils, Molds, Colors, Shimmers and many other items, in person, in classes & mail order. If you wish to build a soap making business, you can even speak to us about a wholesale account.
Q. My soap doesn’t last very long?
A. – This has long been a concern with glycerine soaps, the Renascent soap base is lovely to use, long lasting & gentle on the skin. We have addressed all the concerns we found with previous soap bases
With any soaps, if you wish to prolong it’s life, ensure it is kept fairly dry between uses.
Q. I have heard of the rainforest damage farming palm oil is doing & I am concerned
A. Absolutely, for this reason Renascent is delighted to offer you a lovely soap base that contain NO palm oil (Palm oil is a fairly rough (on the skin) ingredient that is added to soap bases as it is a very cheap oil to use)
We are delighted NOT to use it in any of our soap bases.
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