by Rustic Escentuals

This soap making tutorial shows how to make a two-color swirl using Rebatch Soap Base and micas. It is easy to customize the color and fragrance oil choice.

 
Supplies and equipment needed:
Crock pot or Double Boiler
Large spoon
Rubber Gloves
Cheese Grater
Distilled water (optional)
Digital Scale
0.15cc scoop
Rebatch Soap Base (3 pounds)
Purple Passion Mica
Wild Tuberose and Jasmine Fragrance Oïl
Square Loaf Soap Mold (40 oz)

 
Step 1
Weigh out 3 pounds of Rebatch Soap Base.

Step 2
Using a cheese grater, grate up the soap for melting. Grating is preferred because the small pieces melt much easier and will give a much smoother consistency.

 
Step 3
Place the grated soap in a crock-pot or double boiler. Make sure the soap is covered while melting so it doesn’t lose any moisture content.
Note: A microwave is not recommended because the soap bubbles up quickly. A much nicer product will be obtained by gradually melting the soap using a crock-pot or double boiler.

Step 4
Gradually heat the soap on medium until fully melted, heating for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Time may vary depending on the amount of soap base used. With a large spoon, stir every 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t leave the soap unattended while melting!

Note: If the soap base seems to be taking longer than 1 hour to melt, add 1 tablespoon of distilled water, stir and cover. Do not add more than 1 tablespoon of distilled water per pound.

 
Step 5
The soap base should reach a consistency of smooth mashed potatoes. When completely melted, turn off the crock-pot (or remove the double boiler from the heat source). Work quickly after this step before the soap starts to harden up.

Step 6
Add 1.5 ounces of fragrance oil to the melted soap base and stir in thoroughly.

Note: Add no more than 3% of fragrance oil to the soap. For 1 pound of soap base, 3% is equal to 0.5 ounces of Fragrance Oil.

 
Step 7
Add approximately 10 scoops of Purple Passion Mica to about 1/3 of the soap. You will be working in the same container that you melted the soap in. It’s not necessary to remove any of the soap to a separate container while adding color.

 
Step 8
Stir only that section of the soap until the Mica is fully incorporated.

 
Step 9
Once fully mixed, with your spoon, take the purple soap and stir it once or twice into the uncolored soap – not too much stirring. This will create a nice swirl in the finished product.

 
Step 10
Quickly scoop the soap into the soap loaf mold. To prevent gaps in the soap, when half way filled, pound the mold gently on a hard surface a couple times to help the soap settle into the mold. Continue scooping soap until completely filled and pound the mold one final time.

 
Step 11
Smooth the top of the soap with a spoon and let set for 24 hours.

 
Step 12
When set, remove from mold and using a miter box soap cutter, cut the soap into bars and allow to harden for an additional 1 – 2 days. Trim as needed.