Soap Making: Employee Training Session

It's been a while since I've been in the soaping room. It felt good to get my hands dirty, or is that clean, again. My assistant, Jenni, wanted to learn more about the process of melt and pour soap making. I love when workers show an interest in learning the techniques we promote on our web site.

This loaf soap was made with Mold Market's Square Loaf mold. Both white and clear soap was used in the training process of pouring in layers. Jenni choose a mango scent to complement the tropical colors of orange, red and yellow.

Here are a few key points Jenni learned about pouring a layered loaf soap:

• Let the first layer cool until a somewhat thick skin forms on the surface of the soap. This is especially true when pouring a white/colored layer of soap over a clear layer.
• If the soap is too hot when poured, it will penetrate the previous layer. You won't get defined color lines when that happens.
• Time and temperature are the key factors to successfully pouring layered soap.
• When using clear soap base, it is imperative to also use a clear fragrance oil. Some fragrance oils are tinged yellow, green or orange and will discolor your clear soap base.
• Spritzing each layer with rubbing alcohol removes any air bubble and helps the next poured layer to adhere to the previous layer.
• Add 1 teaspoon of fragrance per 8 ounces of soap base (if using GoPlanetEarth products).
• Pouring temperature of soap should be 140 degrees or less.

I must say Jenni's first attempt at a semi-advanced soap making project was a success. She is excited about moving on to more advanced projects.