Remilling Instructions

Detailed Instructions

Many people are attracted to re-milling soaps because this process offers the ability to create gift soaps using a wide range of fragrances, colour and natural additives without having to work with caustic lye during the process. This is an excellent way to involve younger children in the soap making process without the concerns created by the use of caustic lye. Of course, even when re-milling, you have the option of making your own base soaps using the cold process method and then storing them for future use.

For those who prefer not to work with caustic lye during the soap making process, Voyageur is pleased to offer blocks of soap base for re-milling. These blocks are available in a 2 lb size, ideal for cutting and grating.

Re-Milling or Hand Milling of Soaps is a project that requires approximately three hours from start to finish.

• Begin by cutting and grating your soap base. You will get excellent results from soap bases, which are 3 to 7 days old. To put your soap base into hibernation until you are ready to use it, wrap soap in cello or store in a zip lock bag to prevent exposure to the air. This will prevent the soap from hardening and loosing additional moisture.
• Place grated soap into a double boiler on the stove or into an oven proof container in a 170’ F. Oven or into a 170’ Crock Pot together with three ounces (3 oz) water for each pound of soap base. Place lid on pot and cook soap over low medium heat for approximately two hours, stirring occasionally. During the cooking process you should prepare your molds and organize your fragrances and additives, ready for the final stages.
• When soap has melted together and has a translucent appearance it is ready for additives and molding. Small batches can be customized by placing part of the melted soap base into a measuring cup. To ¾ cup melted soap base, add 1 tsp of skin care oil. This slight amount of super fatting will also thin and smooth the soap base enough to allow for mixing in other ingredients and molding soap.
• Add approximately ½ tsp fragrance oil and ½ tsp other additives to the ¾ cup of melted soap base and, working quickly, mix soap mixture well and press soap into molds.
• Leave soap in molds for 1-2 days. To assist in unmolding soaps (particularly from plastic molds) place soaps in freezer for an hour. Remove from freezer and let sit for 5minutes. Pull mold away from sides of bar, press on bottom of mold and gently work soap out of the mold.
• Allow soaps to cure for two to four weeks to harden soaps. Curing soaps should be turned every three-four days to allow exposure to air on all sides.
• Use and enjoy.