When making cold process soap I sometimes get some extra soap left over in the bowls. Just that little bit extra that I could not fit into the mold. In most cases I use a small mold and make extra soap samples. Another way to use that extra soap batter is to make it into soap dough. Then use it for soap embeds and create new designs for even more gorgeous and intricate soaps.
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What is soap dough?
Soap dough is also known as soap “clay” and is soap that has been saponified but not allowed to cure or not exposed to air to prevent the water evaporation. While the soap retains the water it remains malleable and can be used like clay to made designs that can be used to place inside or on top of the soap. You can make soap dough using your regular recipe or find a good recipe on the internet. For this tutorial I used left over soap from an earlier batch. However I have a few free recipes that you can try in my Natural Aloe Vera Cold Process Soap, The Joy of Cold Process Soap Making, Coffee Soap and Scrub and Coconut Milk Cold Process Soap.
Some of the challenges when using your soap dough from an earlier batch is that it can be scented and the scent may contrast with the scent of the new soap or that it can be a different recipe or formulation and will result in a long list of ingredients. Both of these are very easy to address. In the case of the different contrasting fragrances, if the embed is small there should be no issue but if the embed is large then I try to find a scent that can blend better and enhance the overall scent. For the ingredients, while I love experimenting with new recipes and formulations I try to keep to two or three main recipes for all the soaps I plan to sell and most ingredients are the same.
Ready to start making your own cold process soaps? Then this eBook with 25 different cold process soap formulations is the perfect resource. With so many formulations, you will have lots of inspiration to experiment and find the perfect one.
This eBook also includes best practices to modify the formulations to your liking.
How to make soap dough form left over soap from a batch or planning and beveling shavings?
Two ways that you can make soap dough is to use the left over batter, or use the left over from planning and leveling the edges. To use left over batter, place it in a mold and cover in cling wrap. Allow the saponification process to take place for two to three days, then remove the cling wrap and knead for a few minutes. Then place the soap dough in cling wrap and use as needed. As long as the soap dough is not exposed to air it will be malleable and usable as soap dough. If it is exposed to air it will start to dry and may not work well but will make a great soap.
To use the planning and leveling pieces as soap dough it is best if this is done within one or two days after the pour. Usually I cut my soaps after 24 hours then wait a few hours before I plane and bevel them. Collect the soap shavings and scraps and knead together until smooth. Then keep it covered in cling wrap and use as needed.
All the cold process soapmaking most common questions finally answered in one single place
How to make soap dough embeds?
My favorite tools for making soap dough embeds and other items you will need:
Various types of plunger cutters
Clay extruder and modeling tools
Corn starch – this will help keep the soap dough from sticking to the surfaces
Rubbing alcohol – to clean up any excess corn starch on the embeds
How to make butterfly embeds using extra soap batter
Watch the video of the making of the Butterfly Garden soap
How to make soap embeds using moon press and soap shavings
My hope is that you get some ideas to create your own soap embeds. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and get to make your own embeds and soaps and fully enjoy them! You can purchase my soap creations at jasandjulsoaps.com.
You can now purchase my soaps in our shop page. Lots of beautiful and skin loving soaps available and new designs added regularly. Our soaps brand is Jas and Jul Soaps!
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