Milling a Soap

Bostonian 007 · Aug 20, 2008

Can one microwave a soap so that it can melt and mold to the shape of the container.

I wanted to check with the experts before trying just to make sure that it won't do anything to the soap itself

Thanks!

Suzuki · Aug 20, 2008

Bostonian 007 said:
Can one microwave a soap so that it can melt and mold to the shape of the container.

I wanted to check with the experts before trying just to make sure that it won't do anything to the soap itself

Thanks!

You can melt a glycerine soap by giving it short blasts in the microwave.

Hard soaps cannot be melted in the microwave. They must be milled (shredded using a grater in most cases) and then packed into the appropriate container. A very small amount of water may be added to help solidify the litle pieces. If you check out the tutorial on how to mill a shaving stick, you'll get a good idea of what this process entails.

Bostonian 007 · Aug 20, 2008

Chris,
Thanks for the useful info, now another question how to find out if the soap is glycerine based or not?

.

R-James · Aug 20, 2008

Whats the brand, I'll tell you if its glycerin or not.

Suzuki · Aug 21, 2008

Bostonian 007 said:
Chris,
Thanks for the useful info, now another question how to find out if the soap is glycerine based or not? .

If its clear or translucent its a gylcerine soap (Conk, QED, MB, VDH, HoneyBee) - there are some exceptions (some of the HBS and TGQ soaps are opaque, but they can be melted). Basically, if it feels like a bar of Pears or Neutrogena clear soap, its almost certainly a glycerine soap.

If the soap has a consistency more like a bar of Ivory, its a hard soap - these will always be opaque (the Three T's, Harris, Tabac, etc...).

When in doubt ask!

Happy milling or melting, as the case may be!

Bostonian 007 · Aug 21, 2008

The soap is actually Provence I belive so it would be a hard soap. I was just curious about how to distinguish between the two.

Thanks Chris for the definition and thanks to Richie for the effort

.

Suzuki · Aug 21, 2008

Bostonian 007 said:
The soap is actually Provence I belive so it would be a hard soap. I was just curious about how to distinguish between the two.

Thanks Chris for the definition and thanks to Richie for the effort .

the Pre de Provence is a hard soap - gold star to you on soap identification 101!

R-James · Aug 21, 2008

Chris is right, Grate er up and squeeze her down and its good to go!

Bostonian 007 · Aug 21, 2008

Awesome guys you are the best

jkh · Aug 21, 2008

I would also suggest getting yourself a rotary grater. This little tool will save your knuckles and fingers. I picked one up at Walmart for around $6.

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Milling a Soap

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R-James

Bostonian 007

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