Layering melt and pour soap is a skill that many new soapmakers want to learn to create beautiful soaps with more than one color or element. In this orange clove soap recipe, I'll teach you how to layer melt and pour soap to make an orange and a clove layer for a beautiful homemade soap.
Melt and pour soap is great way to get started with soapmaking. While cold process soap offers more flexibility in terms of additives, melt and pour lets you get creative with design elements.
Learning how to make layered melt and pour soap is a fun technique. Once you learn this melt and pour soap technique, then you can create soap with several layers or colors.
I used this technique for this orange and clove soap to make an orange layer and a clove layer. You can also use it to make rainbow or multicolored soaps.
How to Make Layered Melt and Pour Soap
I'm in several DIY bath and body and soapmaking groups on Facebook. I see two mistakes that happen over and over again: using lavender buds in melt and pour soap and layered soap falling apart after cutting.
Layering melt and pour soap can be tricky, but I have some tips to help you.
For more melt and pour soap ideas, check out these 23 Advanced Melt and Pour Techniques. For more soap recipes check out these posts:
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- Turmeric Melt and Pour Soap
- How to Make Whipped Soap from Melt and Pour
- Unicorn Soap
- Unicorn Rainbow Poop Soap
- Rose Clay Soap
- Pink Himalayan Salt Soap Recipe
- Dandelion Melt and Pour Soap
- Pumice Gardener's Soap
- Easy Cupcake Soap
- Gardeners Hand Soap Recipe
- How to Make Melt and Pour Soap With Embeds
- Calamine Lotion Soap Recipe
- How to Make Melt and Pour Soap Lather More
How Do You Make Layers in Melt and Pour Soap?
Layering melt and pour soap can be tricky because this kind of soap sets up quickly. You will also need to ensure that the soap is at the right temperature for best results.
Choosing a Mold
When learning how to make layered melt and pour soap, I recommend using a smaller mold. I used a 4 inch small loaf mold to make mine, but you can use a rectangle mold or other smaller mold.
I don't recommend using a large loaf mold the first time. You'll need some practice, and that's a lot of soap to waste if it doesn't work!
Melt and Pour Soap Bases
Melt and pour soap bases are personal preference. However, I recommend using a quality base. I use Crafty Bubbles soap base. They only have white and clear available, so I add melt and pour soap additives for their benefits. I also recommend using Stephensons soap base.
I do caution you against using hobby soap bases like Life of the Party or Soap Expressions. These soaps are not the best quality, and they can be difficult to work with for advanced techniques like layering melt and pour soap. Look for quality melt and pour soap bases on Etsy or Amazon.
Soap bases from different companies have slightly different melting points, which can make layering melt and pour soap difficult. I recommend using the same kind of base from the same company when you are getting started.
Once you learn how to make layered melt and pour soap, then you can mix bases between the same company or mix clear and white for different techniques.
Temperature
Temperature is perhaps the most important element of learning how to make layered melt and pour soap. Each soap base brand is slightly different, but melt and pour soap will melt between 120 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you pour your soap too hot, it can melt the layer under it. You will need to use a digital thermometer to ensure that you pour your soap at 125 degrees or lower.
You'll also want to have the bottom layer of soap at the right temperature. If it's too hot, then the two layers will run together and create mud. If the bottom layer is too hard, then the layers won't stick together.
Be patient and let the bottom layer cool until a skin forms on the top. This skin should be thick enough that it doesn't ripple if you blow on the soap. This can take about 5 minutes or longer, and each soap base is different.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol will be your best friend when learning how to make layered melt and pour soap. As soon as you pour a layer of soap, spray with 99 percent rubbing alcohol to remove air bubbles.
Then spray again just before pouring the second layer. This helps the subsequent layers stick together for a stronger bond.
I like to use a fine mist spray bottle to completely cover the soap.
Scoring Soap
If you let the bottom layer get too hard, all is not lost. You can often save the batch with a little trick. I like to use a sharp knife to score the top of the soap. Then spray and pour the next layer.
Scoring the soap makes little cracks and crevices that the melted soap can get it, which helps glue the soap in place.
Let Your Soap Cool
It's imperative to let your soap cool completely when layering melt and pour soap. If you try to unmold it while it's warm, the layers will likely separate.
Let it cool for at least 4 hours but overnight is best.
Cutting Soap
Cutting layered melt and pour soap can cause the layers to split. That's why I recommend using a rectangle mold.
However, you can cut layered melt and pour soap. Use a sharp knife. I also recommend laying a loaf on its side to cut instead of cutting from the top to the bottom.
Orange Clove Soap Recipe
Now that you know how to make layered melt and pour soap, let's get into the orange and clove soap recipe.
What Does Orange Clove Smell Like?
Orange clove hand soap smells light and refreshing with sweet oranges with a deeper smell from the cloves.
It's a refreshing scent. This soap is great for orange clove hand soap or for a body bar in the shower. I used clove essential oil and sweet orange essential oil.
What is Clove Soap Good For?
Clove essential oil is stimulating, so this is a great scent for a morning shower. Clove is also good for minor cuts and scrapes on the skin, so I like an orange clove hand soap.
Is Clove Good for Skin?
Yes, there are clove soap benefits. Clove essential oil is said to reduce the signs of aging and prevents wrinkles and fine lines. It's often used for anti-aging. It can boost blood circulation and gently exfoliate the skin.
Can You Put Clove in Soap?
Yes, this orange and clove soap recipe uses both clove essential oil and real cloves. I used powdered cloves in one layer and whole cloves to decorate the top for clove soap benefits.
Orange Clove Soap Recipe Ingredients
To make orange and clove soap, you will need:
- White melt and pour soap base
- Ground cloves
- Orange zest
- Whole cloves
- Clove essential oil
- Sweet orange essential oil
- Measuring cups with spouts
- Wood craft sticks or spoons
- Silicone soap loaf mold
- Wavy soap cutter
- Rubbing alcohol
How Do You Make Orange Clove Soap?
Step #1
Cut the melt and pour soap into 1 inch cubes. Place half of the soap cubes in each measuring cup.
Step #2
Heat one of the measuring cups of soap in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between intervals, until melted. Add the ground vloes and stir well for a few minutes. Add the clove essential oil and stir well. Pour into the mold and spray with rubbing alcohol.
Step #3
Heat the second container of soap the same way. Add the orange zest and stir. Then add sweet orange essential oil. Let the soap cool to 125 degrees. Make sure a skin has formed on the bottom layer of soap.
Step #4
Spray the bottom layer of soap with rubbing alcohol. If the bottom layer is set up, use a knife to make score marks. Pour the orange layer over the clove layer. Let cool until a skin forms and add whole cloves to the top of the soap. Push them in slightly so they stick.
Step #5
Let the orange and clove soap recipe cool for at least 4 hours. Unmold and use the wavy cutter to cut into 4 bars of soap.
Now you know about layering melt and pour soap, clove soap benefits, and how to make an orange and clove soap recipe.
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Orange Clove Soap Recipe
materials:
- 1 ¾ lb white melt and pour soap base
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tbsp dried orange zest
- 1 tbsp whole cloves
- 7 drops clove essential oil
- 30 drops orange essential oil
tools:
- 2 large microwave safe measuring cups with spout
- Wooden craft sticks or spoons for stirring the soap
- 4 inch silicone soap mold
- Spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol (optional)
- Wavy soap cutter
steps:
- Cut the melt and pour soap into 1 inch cubes. Place half of the soap cubes in each measuring cup.
- Heat one of the measuring cups of soap in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between intervals, until melted. Add the ground vloes and stir well for a few minutes. Add the clove essential oil and stir well. Pour into the mold and spray with rubbing alcohol.
- Heat the second container of soap the same way. Add the orange zest and stir. Then add sweet orange essential oil. Let the soap cool to 125 degrees. Make sure a skin has formed on the bottom layer of soap.
- Spray the bottom layer of soap with rubbing alcohol. If the bottom layer is set up, use a knife to make score marks. Pour the orange layer over the clove layer. Let cool until a skin forms and add whole cloves to the top of the soap. Push them in slightly so they stick.
- Let the orange and clove soap recipe cool for at least 4 hours. Unmold and use the wavy cutter to cut into 4 bars of soap.
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