Thread: Why melt soap?

Is the point of melting or shredding soap just to make it fit a particular mug, bowl or container better, or does it serve some other purpose as well? I've mostly been using creams so far but have also acquired a few soaps and I'd like to get this right before I screw them up somehow.

Thanks!

You got it, it just simply lets it sit in your personal shaving bowl/mug better and thats about it. I've only shredded with a cheese grater, as I'm worried melting my soap will change it some way. Probably an unfounded fear, but its what I do.

If you decide to melt just make sure it's a Glycerin based soap otherwise you will have a mess.

Yes you are correct in that it is to fit a bowl or mug -However- grating certain soaps can make them lather much easier... ie: Mitchell's Wool Fat, Williams, TOBS... just to name a few of the Hard Milled soaps that now lather way easier in my collection...

If you gently and slowly melt the Glycerin based pucks using the double boiler method it is much safer then the microwave... Plus you only have to melt them enough to even out in the bowl they don't have to be completely liqufied..

Hope that helps...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Yes you are correct in that it is to fit a bowl or mug -However- grating certain soaps can make them lather much easier... ie: Mitchell's Wool Fat, Williams, TOBS... just to name a few of the Hard Milled soaps that now lather way easier in my collection...

Do you now why that is, or have any guesses? Do you think the heating changes the chemical composition in any way?

How many people do the shredding and melting thing? If you are one, how important is it to you that your soap fits? If someone, hypothetically speaking of course, would take your favorite mugs and make fresh, all natural soap, pouring it into your mug to harden and cure, to make a perfect fit, would it be worth the time and cost to ship the mug here, i mean, there and back?

Originally Posted by markevens

Do you now why that is, or have any guesses? Do you think the heating changes the chemical composition in any way?

I am not heating the grated hard milled soaps, I just grate them and press the grated soaps back into my soap bowls...
My theory is that basically you are re-milling the soaps again, and that's what makes them lather easier.. just a theory...

Originally Posted by markevens

Do you now why that is, or have any guesses? Do you think the heating changes the chemical composition in any way?

I make soap from time to time with my mom. Nothing for shaving use but just for showering.

The point of a double boiler is not to let the soap come in direct contact with heat. If it does, such as a pan on stove, microwave it will dry out the soap. The glycerin will break down, fragrance will be stripped and sometimes the color diminishes. Using a double boiler is to allow the water to come into direct contact with the heat and using the steam to slowly melt soaps. The highest temp I use is about medium on the stove. And, stir frequently... sometimes those soaps won't melt properly and need to be stirred. Just as Glen said, just enough to melt it and pour. You really don't need much.

If you have a transparent mug and would like the soap to be a little more transparent, try tossing it in the freezer until hard. Be careful, expansion and contraction could crack your mug.

This same method works great for chocolate and strawberries.

This is just what I know from playing around with soaps. I am not a professional soap maker but what I have mentioned does work.

Basically just to fit or use up leftovers. I take my Col. Conk soaps and use a double broiler method to melt them into my Merkur shave bowl...just to make em fit

+90% to make it fit into a container.

Grated hard soaps spritzed with water are softer
and a little easier for the brush to get to as a result.
Not a problem in my opinion....

Grated hard soaps can be blended. A little of this
a little of that. Add some kaolin clay, add some
glycerin. Mix or add fragrance... Hard triple
milled soaps are inexpensive but need a bit of help
to make a shave soap. Grating can make blending
your own shave soap possible yet inexpensive.

Fill a small container for travel.

Share a bit with a friend. <--- (should be done more often IMO)

Melting glycerin soap is easy. True soap
does not melt well at all. Just because glycerin soaps
melt does not mean that it is a great idea.
If you over heat the soap it will loose fragrance
and added oils and other amendments will
be lost or separate from the bulk.