You can melt the base in a double boiler or the microwave. If you choose the microwave, make sure you cover the bowl you are melting the melt and pour (MP) with Saran Wrap to keep the excess moisture from evaporating out.
I have been making soap using "melt and pour" soap with some success. But the only thing at the moment that I cannot master is when I tried to add oatmeal to make an exfoliating soap. The oats sink to the bottom. I have tried the finer meal, but it still happens. Has anyone any ideas why this is happening? Many thanks.
By helen from UK
I remember you asking about coloring soaps a while back! :-) I've added abrasives a couple different ways. The easiest was to start with a suspension melt and pour soap. It is a base made specifically for adding something like your oatmeal or my seeds, so that they remain in suspension instead of sinking. If you have a hard time finding this type of base in your area, you could try letting the melted soap cool slightly, and then mix in your oatmeal. Wait a minute or two, and mix again. You might end up with some bubbles from mixing, but as the soap cools a bit it will thicken, and hopefully that will help keep the oatmeal from sinking.
If you haven't looked at Majestic Mountain Sage for a while (from my other post), you should go check it out. They now have a blog and update more frequently. Have fun!
If you add your oatmeal after the soap has cooled just a bit it won't sink. Also if you grate soap to melt, mix your oatmeal with the grated soap the residue will help just as putting raisins in flour before mixing them in cake keeps them from sinking to the bottom.
Melt down your soap and water in a double boiler method. Once your soap is melted stir through the remaining ingredients and add any scent or color, then pour the mix into your soap molds.
Using glycerine soap cubes and your favorite essential oil, spices, or other additions you can make fragrant gifts for friends and family. This is a page about making easy melt and pour gift soaps.
I was going to buy a glycerin base melt and pour and wanted to add olive oil, vitamin E oil, and coconut oil to the mix, but no fragrance or color.
I am going to have a go at making homemade soap bars with Melt and Pour as this seems the easiest way to start. Could I use food colouring instead of buying soap colouring?