Problems With Melt & Pour Soap
Table of Contents
Handcrafting melt-and-pour soaps offers opportunities for creativity, but frustration sometimes occurs when crafters encounter unexpected problems. Here's how to troubleshoot potential challenges.
Dirt and Debris
Remove any debris from melt-and-pour soap base by scooping it out with a spoon. Protect your soap base from dirt by storing it inside a container with a tight lid.
Color Changes
Old melt-and-pour soap base can sometimes take a yellow hue, but the soap quality remains. Use colorant (mica) to cover it. Fragrance oils containing vanilla will cause soap to turn brown, but vanilla and color stabilizers are available.
Dried, Crumbly Soap Base
High-quality glycerin soap shouldn't crumble, but over time it can dry out if not tightly sealed. Soap base containing too much lye can cause crumbly soap, so purchase supplies from a respected supplier.
Bonding Layers
To get two soap layers to adhere, spray rubbing alcohol on the first--hardened--layer before pouring the next. Rubbing alcohol bonds the layers.
Boosting Lather
If you want more bubbles from glycerin soap, add castor oil or tallow at no more than 3.5 percent.
Air Bubbles
To remove air bubbles from glycerin soap after pouring into molds, spritz the layer with rubbing alcohol. The bubbles will dissolve.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Originally from Indiana but now based in upstate New York, Lisanne Jensen has written professionally since 1988. Her journalism career includes government and features reporting for several Indiana newspapers, book editing, and marketing/graphic design. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in journalism and French from Indiana University.
Photo Credits
- Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Debbie
- Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Debbie
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