What is
M&P?
Quality Melt
and Pour is a soap based product and not a detergent. However, it may contain
detergents. In general, M&P is around 50% soap and the balance is
solvents. It is formulated to withstand re-melting and accept
additives. It does not have to be vegetable based, although, most
suppliers carry vegetable based M&P. It also does not have to contain
glycerin. The glycerin may be extracted from the soap and other solvents
used to render it transparent. All Melt and Pour begins its life
transparent.
What is the difference between
transparent and opaque?
Titanium dioxide is added to the transparent base to whiten it and
render it opaque.
Why can't I just go buy some plain
glycerin soap at the store?
Mainly because it is not the same thing. Many of the plain
glycerin soaps on the market are formulated to not melt easily as this prolongs
their length of use. This is not to say it is an impossible alternative;
some people have found brands they are happy working with. If you go this
route just remember that they weren't designed for soap casting and you will
probably have difficulty with more complex designs and
techniques.
How do I melt
it?
The best and
recommended way is to melt the base in a double boiler with the cover on.
The second method is to use a microwave. Use a medium setting and short
times. The key is not to boil your base. There are two reasons
behind this. Firstly, you will evaporate too much water from the base and it
will become brittle and prone to cracking. Secondly, you may caramelize
the sugars in the base and it will change color. Lastly, it just smells
bad.
Do I need
water?
No. However, if
I am re-melting base that has been melted down multiple times, I add a bit of
water to compensate for the previous evaporation.
Do I need to
stir?
No. A gentle
nudge to encourage a stubborn chunk to melt is fine. You do not want to stir
vigorously, as this will incorporate air bubbles into the base. All you
need is gently stirring to incorporate your colors, scent or
additive.
What can I use as a
mold?
Candy, plaster,
or soap molds all work wonderfully. PVC or ABS pipe or downspout from you local
hardware store are also popular choices. Plastic food storage or
organizing containers also work well. People are also using the actual
plastic food containers. Think cat food, potato chips.
You know you are hooked, when you start looking at everything as a potential mold.
What can I
add?
Lots of things,
dried herbs, ground spices, luxury butters such as shea or cocoa, cosmetic
clays, and of course dried flowers. A word of caution, your herbs & flowers
will turn brown. Chamomile and calendula are 2 flowers that retain their color
in soap, lavender does not. 1 tsp. to no more than 1 Tbs. per pound of soap base
(on average, your mileage may vary).
When do I add
it?
If it needs to
melt add it when you are melting the base. If it needs to melt at a higher
temperature, melt it separately and incorporate it into the melted
base.
Powders can clump. The best way around this is to scoop out a bit of base and make a paste with the powder. Incorporate this paste into the melted base.
Liquids may be added to the pot when you
are melting your base.
How do I colour
it?
There are
different colour additives available from different suppliers. The best
direction I can give you is to follow the directions from your
supplier.
Yeah, but I don't have those special color additives and I want color. Food colors work and are safe. However, they are not designed to be used in soap and the colors will fade and/or mutate. You may also use herbs, spices and juices to color you soap. You may add them directly to your soap but remember that whatever you add will come in contact with your skin, so you don't want to add anything to scratchy. You can also make a tea or infuse oil with herbs and/or spices and strain this before you incorporate it into the base.
How do I scent
it?
Please do not use
candle or potpourri scent oils. They were not created be applied to your skin
and can cause severe reactions. You may use either essential oils or
cosmetic grade fragrance oils. I tend to add the fragrance when the base
is about 3/4 melted. This allows it to be distributed throughout the base
without be subjected to excess heat. How much depends on what is
being used, essential oils should be added at a rate depending on that specific
oils usage rate, there is no set rule for "all". Fragrance oils, generally
1-3%.
How the heck do I get it out of the
mold?
This is the
point when you are happy you used a flexible mold. Plastic candy or plaster
molds, flex the mold so the seal breaks between the mold and the soap and pop
them out.
The most difficult mold to remove soap from is the PVC or ABS pipe or downspout. The firmer your soap is the easier it becomes. Apply pressure to the outside of the pipe or downspout. I find it helps to push the soap back into the mold to break the seal. Now you need to push the soap out of the mold. I use a block of wood covered with a dishtowel. Your ingenuity will create the best soap pusher for your situation.
If you are still having trouble cool the soap filled pipe or downspout in the fridge, bring it back to room temperature and try again.
When can I use
it?
As soon as it is
cool and firm you can take it in the shower or bath for a test drive.
Unlike traditional soapmaking the saponification process has been completed at
the manufactures so you don't have to allow your M&P soap time to cure
before you use it.
Kathleen
Caryl
~oOo~oOo~oOo~
Soap Depot
http://www.northern-sprite.com
Toronto Canada (416)
750-3870
~oOo~oOo~oOo~
Check out Kathleen's site for all kinds of melt and pour goodies
including color cubes.
Remember creating soaps is as much an art as it is a science. Don't be afraid to do a little experimenting to come up with new and exciting ideas. Its not like an bachelors degree or an online MBA where there are definitive right and wrong answers, you never know what may become your new favorite combination or mold.