Leftover soap bar pieces or unused bars of soap are often thrown away. Rather than toss out soap bars that have been deemed useless, you can recycle the bars and pieces of soap to make new bars of soap. They can also be used in other projects. Melting a bar of soap may seem like a straightforward project, but it shouldn't be done haphazardly. Pay attention so the soap doesn't burn.
Grate your bar of soap or pieces of soap with a cheese grater.
Place the grated soap in a mixing bowl. Add just enough water to cover the soap pieces. Allow the water and soap to sit overnight to soften the soap pieces.
- Leftover soap bar pieces or unused bars of soap are often thrown away.
- Allow the water and soap to sit overnight to soften the soap pieces.
Pour water into the bottom portion of a double boiler. Heat the water to boiling and place the top portion of the double boiler on.
Spoon the softened, grated soap pieces into the top of the double boiler. Stir frequently as the soap pieces melt. Remove the double boiler from the heat as soon as your soap is melted.
TIP
Small bits of soap will melt more easily than large bars or chunks of soap. Add a drop or two of colouring or essential oil fragrance to the melted soap in the double boiler, then pour into soap moulds to make your own unique soap. Use leftover pieces of soap bars to make melt-and-pour homemade soaps. Microwave soap pieces to melt when a double boiler is not available. Cover your microwaveable bowl with cling film and heat on a low setting.
WARNING
Melted soap is hot and can burn your skin. Use caution when stirring and pouring.