How to rebatch soap

Save your soap scraps and remelt them for some new soap quickly and easily with this simple idea.

If you made an opps batch with too little scent, not enough moisture, or whatever, you can easily remelt it and add a little bit of stuff to make a new batch you will like a lot better.

First just shave the batch into a small container, I used a cheese grater. Then put the shavings into a small pan. Use a larger pan underneath that pan and fill with water. I put my pan of shavings into a plug in pancake cooker filled with water. Into the pan of shavings I added a cup of water, 1/2 cup of each - coconut oil and grapeseed oil. Let the mixture heat slowly, stir as it melts. When the mixture is like mushy oatmeal, I added some fragrance oil and some chamomile shavings. Then I poured the mixture into a small plastic container lined with freezer paper so it would be easy to remove from the container. I covered the pan with clear plastic wrap to let it cool slowly, over top of the plastic I put a towel. When cooled, I lifted the soap out of the container and sliced.


THE ORIGINAL BATCH WAS MADE IN A CROCKPUT BUT I DIDN'T ADD ENOUGH LEMONGRASS OIL SO WHEN I REMELTED THE SHAVED SOAP, I ADDED A FRAGRANCE OIL CALLED butt naked. WHEN THE LEMONGRASS OIL AND BUTT NAKED OILS WERE MIXED, THEY CREATED A WONDERFUL FRUITY SCENT, THE EXTRA COCONUT OIL ACHIEVED THE NECESSARY MOISTURE I WAS LOOKING FOR SO THE NEW BATCH IS A SUCCESS.

IF YOU HAVE A DOUBLE BROILER SET THAT WORKS GREAT !!

Another method for fun soaps is to save chunks of soap or scraps from leftovers and add them to a container. Then melt some chunks of clear gylcerine base from your craft store, add some oils, ground herbs or oatmeal after heating the the base, pour over the chunks, let cool, remove from container, and use. I got some fantastic recipes from the following book.

Soapmaking the Natural Way

Make sure you visit some of my other pages :



Learn the benefits of tea tree oil in soap

HAPPY SOAP MAKING !!

The Healing Powers of Jasmine Oil in Soaps

A sturdy evergreen shrub of bright green leaves with white star shaped flowers, Jasmine has a sweet and floral aroma, native of Asia and Africa, and is one of the oldest and widely used scented flower.

Jasmine flowers bloom only at night hence they are hand picked at night time only. Being one of the most delicate and extremely fragile flowers, jasmine essential oil is steam distilled from its flowers. Huge quantities of jasmine petals are required to prepare one ounce of essential oil, hence it is rare, extremely valuable and a highly sought after oil.

Jasmine is preferred for its powerful characteristics that assist the body as an anti depressant, an aphrodisiac and has confidence boosting qualities. The Chinese drink jasmine tea daily and use it to cleanse the air in sick rooms while Egyptians use it to relieve nervous disorders, insomnia and headaches.

Monoi Pitate (Coconut Oil w/ Jasmine) 4 oz 4 Ounces

Jasmine known to have aphrodisiac powers was used in different cultures in various ceremonies. The sensuously rich and exotic aroma of jasmine based massage oil can certainly be relied upon to evoke a romantic mood.

Jasmine oil despite being expensive is worthy for the skin. It encourages cell growth; increases skin elasticity and aids in healing minor to moderate burns. It is especially effective for people suffering from symptoms of apathy and fatigue as it helps in reducing fears. It also helps with muscle spasm and sprains.

Buy Jasmine Oil

Jasmine with its many healing properties acts as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory agent and a sedative. It is considered as base oil for blending with other essential oil. When blended with herbs like Clary sage, geranium, lemon balm, rose, rosewood and sandalwood, it promotes the body's natural way of healing, making it indispensable in the world of aromatherapy.

Jasmine essential oil when massaged on the abdomen during the later stages of labor strengthens uterine contractions and relieves pain.

For stimulating bath oil, try this oil -

1/2 cup soy oil
5 drops of jasmine essential oil
3 drops of juniper essential oil
4 - 5 vitamin E capsules.
squeeze the oil from 4 or 5 vitamin E capsules

Indulge your self with a massage, blend the following ingredients well -

8 tsp grape seed oil
6 drops of jasmine essential oil
2 drops each of tea tree oil and neroli oil. Before application warm the oils.

To create soothing and refreshing hair oil for scalp, blend:
2 drops rosemary oil
2 drops lavender
2 drops clary sage
2 drops jasmine absolute to 1/2 ounce base oil.


Soapmaking the Natural Way: 45 Melt-and-Pour Recipes Using Herbs, Flowers & Essential Oils

Creating Your Own Soap Recipe

Once you've mastered the basics of soap making, it's fun to create your own recipes.

You have to have the proper mix of fats, oils, scent, and a good recipe will ensure you have success in creating your own luxurious recipe. STUDY OILS AND RECIPES WELL BEFORE YOU BEGIN - AND PLEASE BE CAREFUL !!!

First, you have to decide what method of soap making you're going to make. Are you going to use the cold process method (with lye), the rebatched/handmilled method or the melt and pour method?

Next, what kind of soap do you want to make? For example, prettily molded hand soap or moisturizing soap to use in the bath or shower?

Are you going to superfat your soap? Superfatting is when you add additional fatty oils after saponification to make a richer, creamier soap. There are all kinds of different oils you can use in superfatting, including shea butter and cocoa butter.

What color do you want your soap? What do you want your soap to smell like? What shape and size mold do you want to use? These are important questions to consider.

Do you want to include additives such as oatmeal, flower petals or glitter?

Once you've carefully crafted your own recipe and written instructions, have all the ingredients and equipment necessary, it's time to start making your soap.


If you are not sure yet, you can buy homemade soap from

my Amazon store - but I can assure you, once you try homemade soap you will never go back !!!
I NEVER DID !


Now don't forget you have to allow time for the soap to set and cure. If you're making cold process soap, this take two weeks. On the other hand, making soap using the melt and pour method only takes a few hours to set, even less if you put it in the refrigerator!

If you plan on giving your soap to friends and family, they're sure to be impressed by the fact that you made the soap yourself, using your own recipe! If you know they like a specific scent, shapes or colors, you can tailor make the soap to their liking, eg, making lavender seashells for someone who likes seashells and lavender fragrance.

It's really satisfying to make soap using your own recipe. Once you've mastered the art of soap making, or even enjoying the process of mastering it, you may find it hard to stop!



Soapmaking the Natural Way: 45 Melt-and-Pour Recipes Using Herbs, Flowers & Essential Oils



The Everything Soapmaking Book: Recipes and Techniques for Creating Colorful and Fragrant Soaps (Everything: Sports and Hobbies)


Rejuvenate Your Body By Using Herbs: The Ultimate Herbal Guide That Will Tell You Everything About Herbs That You Need To Know. It Shows You The Best Natural ... Plant A Herb Garden And The Best Herbs List!



Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homeade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self

Calming herbs for soapmaking and Bathing

Herbs and flowers aren't just for soapmaking. Just imagine the calming feeling you get when you use the best herbs you can grow in your own backyard, kitchen window, or just about anywhere you can fit a small flower pot !!


Imagine your self floating in a gigantic bathtub full of herbs hugging your skin; its magical powers take away your tensions, your worries melt away leaving you feeling totally refreshed.

Bathing with herbs is a calming way to relax in today's fast paced stressful life. It is a soothing way to start a new day and a blissful send-off to bed. Herbs and its essential oils soothes aching muscles, tense nerves, skin irritations, softens skin and ensures peace and tranquility.

Set the stage for your bath with a clean fresh bathroom. Keep clean towels, bath gels, herbs, loofah, etc handy. Choose relaxing music, light aromatic candles around you. All in all make sure that everything you need for your luxury is within arms reach.

While filling your tub with warm water, create a bag of your favourite herbs to be used in bathing. It is ideal that you give your skin a quick loofah brush head to toe before you start. This exfoliates the top layer of dead skin cells so your skin is more willing to grow new cells. To create an herb bag, fill a muslin cloth or even an old clean stocking with your favourite herbs. Dip it in your bath, letting the herbs gently soak in the water. Bath salts, citrus leaves, dried rose petals, dried lavender flowers to name a few to create an herb bag. If you don't have the fondness of creating your own bag of herbs, you can definitely buy ready made herb bags at your local craft or beauty store.

Not more than 5 drops of essential oils should be used in a bath. Dilute it with milk or carrier oil. Below is a small list of some of the most common herbs and essential oils you can use in soapmaking, and bathing because of their calming properties.

- Black Pepper - relief for aching muscles
- Clary Sage - as a perk me up and premenstrual tension
- Eucalyptus - for respiratory problems
- Geranium - for very dry or itchy skin, eczema and PMS
- Jasmine - when you wish to feel luxurious
- Lavender - dry skin, eczema, sprains, hot flashes, headaches, over work, insomnia
- Orange - to pep you up
- Rosemary - to get you going in the morning, a quick pick-me-up in the evening.


Also good for aches and soothing your muscles

- Chamomile, Lavender or roses are good for dry, delicate or irritated skin.
- Rosemary, Calendula and Thyme for oily skin.
- Lemon Balm - good for hyperactive children
- Citrus & Lavender - soothing and therapeutic properties
- Ylang Ylang - exfoliates and moisturizes the skin
- Apricot and Amber - moisturises, restores softness and suppleness to skin.
- Chamomile - aids in relief of aching muscles and nervousness
- Eucalyptus - opens the pores and the vapours from the bath help to clear the breathing passages.

Make sure that your bath time is a time of solitude. Just let yourself luxuriate in this soothing watery haven. And don't forget to put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door :)


P.S. It's also a good time to meditate




Eco Tools Bamboo Loofah Brush 1 ea






Masada Mineral Herb Spa 100% Natural Dead Sea Mineral Salts with Herbs & Aromas, Joint & Muscle, 2 lbs (907 g) (Pack of 2)

Lavender Sensations: Fragrant Herbs For Home & Bath


Toysmith Italian Herb Trio Green Ceramic Window Set of 3 Stoneware

I love making melt and pour soap

I love making soap using the melt and pour soap making method. In my experience it's the easiest way to make your own hand made soap. A good recipe is a must if you're just starting out, but once you're experienced, you can make up your own recipes and get really creative. How about Double Chocolate Brownie soap?

Recipe :

Melt 8 oz clear glycerine soap in a microwave safe pyrex cup

add: 1 tsp cocoa powder - stir well
then add 1 tsp of chocolate scented oil - stir again

pour mix into mold of your choice, let cool, use !!!


Scented Oil: Chocolate (1/2oz)

Scented Oil: Chocolate Raspberry (1/2oz)

Scented Oil: Chocolate Mint (1/2oz)




Melt and pour soap comes in soap blocks, ready to melt and pour into the mold of your choice.
But the exciting part comes once you've melted the soap block. Then you get to add your own choice of soap coloring, fragrance and fun additives; for instance, oatmeal, flower petals or herbs.

Once that's done, it's time to pour it into the molds of your choice. There are some really cute soap molds available. For example, hearts, flowers, seashells, gingerbread men and many others.

Melt and pour soap only takes a few hours to set at room temperature. If you don't want to wait that long, you can place the molds in the refrigerator for about an hour. But never place the molds in the freezer.

Once the soap has set in the molds, it's time to unmold it. Just turn the mold upside down on a clean soft surface (so the soap doesn't chip if it comes out with a rush) and the soap should pop out. If you're having trouble getting the soap out of the mold, run some warm water over the base of the mold and try again.

Now your very own hand made soap is ready to use! It makes great gifts to give to your friends and family, especially if you use cute molds like the ones mentioned above. I know my friends are impressed when I give them gorgeously scented and coloured heart or flower shaped soaps and tell them I made them myself.

So have fun making your own melt and pour soap. The only problem is, once you start, it's hard to stop!

Get more simple

soap making recipes

Soapmaking the Natural Way Book contains some of the easiest recipes I have ever used

Soapmaking the Natural Way: 45 Melt-and-Pour Recipes Using Herbs, Flowers & Essential Oils