Years ago, before I started blogging, I had an online craft website and sold my crafts at farmer’s markets and craft fairs. I enjoyed it for the most part but found that making large quantities of crafts all at once just wasn’t something I enjoyed. I still love crafting and easy soap making was one of my favorite things to do. This post contains affiliate links, and I will receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
Easy Soap Making | Orange Flaxseed Soap
I have always been fascinated by soap making even as a child after reading the Little House on the Prairie books. I considered traditional soap making when I started doing craft fairs but working with lye wasn’t really something I was interested in experimenting with especially with young children at home. Thankfully, there is an easy soap making alternative called melt and pour soap base.
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Organic Clear Glycerin – 2 Lbs Melt and Pour Soap Base – Our Earth’s Secrets
Honey – 2 Lbs Melt and Pour Soap Base – Our Earth’s SecretsOatmeal- 2 Lbs Melt and Pour Soap Base – Our Earth’s Secrets
Basically, you aren’t really making the soap from scratch. You are taking a large block of soap base, melting it, adding fragrance and add-ins and then pouring it into a mold to solidify back into soap. Generally, there are a few different types of melt and pour soap base. I have worked with both glycerin and shea butter base. Glycerin is typically clear. Shea butter based is typically white or cream colored, but there are a lot of variations. I have also seen hemp, soy and goat’s milk soap base.
Materials:
- Melt and pour soap base. I’ve listed a few options above.
- Electric soap kettle or pitcher or glass bowl & microwave
- For this soap, I use the essential oil Wild Orange by DoTerra. The amount you use depends on quantity and type of oil. This is a very handy fragrance calculator.
- Soap mold. I use a plastic soap mold that molds the soap into a bar shape. You can use a silicone muffin pan if you don’t have a soap mold.
- 1 tbsp grated orange peel
- 1 tbsp flaxseed (for exfoliation)
Directions:
- The soap base can be melted in the microwave if you use one or in an old crock pot or electric soap kettle. Each type of base is different so follow the directions on the package you buy.
- After the soap base has been melted, you can add the essential oil of your choice. I don’t use fragrance oil since they are artificial and can cause allergies. The type of essential oil I use varies depending on my mood. Add the oil and stir it in.
- Add in the additives and immediately pour the liquid soap base into your molds. Do not wait or stop stirring or your additives may sink to the bottom of the mold. You can give them a gentle stir in the mold to redistribute a bit if you need to. You can sprinkle extra on top. I use flaxseed and grated orange peel in this soap.
- Place the mold in the refrigerator or in a cold area of your home until it sets. I leave mine overnight in the refrigerator. Gently flex the soap mold so the soap pops out.
- If you plan on wrapping your soap, allow it to set out and dry for at least 48 hours before your wrap it. I store mine as is in between sheets of parchment paper or wax paper.
I find the orange scent from the essential oil to be very uplifting. The orange peel is added simply for visual appeal. The flax seeds are added for exfoliation when using the soap. If you wanted to, you could add an equal amount of poppy seeds instead. Here are a few more easy homemade soap recipes to try.
About Ellen Christian
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