I have been meaning to write this post for a very long time, but you know with the holidays, me trying to get my school and work schedule together. I have put creating beauty recipes on the back burner. Now that I am back in the groove of things It’s time to get crafting and blogging again. I feel this blog is away for me to connect with others that enjoy healthy food and handmade beauty recipes. This year most of my recipes will be about re-batching soap and this will be your go to guide on how to re-batch soap.
I really should have done a video, but my camera is beat up and I will not be using my rebel to take video, so just expect this to be a very long post with be rambling. I think most of my sugar and body scrub creations speak for themselves and many of you have created them and loved them. I really don’t have any more sugar scrubs I can think of. I think I have created so many and have inspired others to create and copy my scrubs that it’s time to get creative again. Right now sugar scrubs are overrated and it’s time for a challenge. If I have another sugar scrub that I am really into I will definitely share with you guys but for now I am all about the soap.
Now I will repeat this is your guide, so if you ever get confuse are screw up come back to this post. If your still lost please email me I will try to help you.
Let’s get started! Rebatching soap is pretty much using any type of cold process soap either handmade, from a vendor or soap you buy at a big box store. It’s melted down in a double boiler or crockpot with water until you get a mixture, and then you add what you want to create luxury soaps that can be gifts for your family.
Important Tips for Re-batching Soap:
Tip 1: The more water you use the less lather you get. This pretty much means if you’re adding to much water to your soap you will not get any bubbles when you rub it in your hand. It will get you clean but there will be no bubbles. In some cases if you add too much water to the soap you will get a goopy mess. It will also take longer to dry..
Tip 2: Never ever use a microwave to re-batch soap!This is especially true for ivory and dial (which we will be using). This is not a melt and pour base, which can be melted in the microwave. This is cold process soap, so if you microwave the base you will end up with a big foam mess or a hard rock.
Tip 3: You really do not need a grater. I have really weak wrist because of the type of work I do and my food processor is for my food, so I use a handy dandy chef knife that I sharpen and it cuts the soap into fine pieces. If your wrist hurt and are weak then you will defiantly love using a knife.
Tip 4: You can use any soap you like. I used Dial and Ivory because they are the most sensitive on the skin and don’t have as many additives (it can be consider natural) as other brands. If you’re not a fan of these two brands use whatever you like but I feel they work the best.
Tip 5: It’s ok to have a few pieces in your soap. I learned this the hard way after melting over a double boiler for an hour there were still pieces. The key is to stir as much of the white pieces left. If not it’s fine it will not hurt your soap.
What you Need:
2 bars of soap (I used Dial and Ivory)
Essential oils
Flax seed oil
Herbal Tea
Let me repeat a grater is not needed, all you need is a sharp knife and chop up the pieces very fine. It is actually quicker than grating the soap, but be careful not to knick or cut yourself in the process. When I have grated the soap I notice that I have a chunk left so I might as well go ahead and cut it.
When it comes to re-batching soap this is what I use for my double boiler; a microwave safe Pyrex bowl. It is a breeze to clean up and there is no splatter. Plus I save a few bucks since I don’t half to go out and buy a double boiler.
I added ¼ cup of water to the cut soap and I keep stirring so the soap can melt and you can get rid of the clumps. Once the soap has melted down, which will take about 20-30 minutes with constant stirring. Now add the flax-seed oil, I used about one and half tablespoon of flax-seed oil to the mixture. Flaxseed oil is high in omega 3 and promotes supple and soft skin. The key is to keep stirring, so you can get as many white chunks out of the soap you can. Make sure you don’t add to much oil or you will not get any lather at all. I find 1-2 tbsps. is fine, that way you get a lather and the benefits of the oil.
Of course I added essential oil to give it a nice scent. Ivory and dial doesn’t have a pleasant scent to me, so I added lemongrass essential oil. 20 drops of essential oil is perfect to get a nice clean scent. Just make sure you stir them in really well.
Once the oils are mixed in and you have stirred it enough, pour your re-batch soap into the mold of your choice. Depending on the size or your mold you can have one or two nice size bars. I used plastic wrap to smash the soap into the mold so it can set at the bottom. The mixture is very thick!
I sprinkle some lemon grass tea on the top (y’all know I love my teas). Lemongrass is known to relieve aches, has antimicrobial properties, and will keep you nice and calm. The bars usually set within 24 hours and are ready to give away as gifts.
There you have it your own skin loving soap bar that is full of wonderful benefits
You always share such great beauty products! I love that you are sharing how to re-batch soap! Such a great idea!
Aww thanks so much Kelly 🙂