Introduction: Easy Melt and Pour Citrus Soap

Hello and welcome to my Instructable on how to make citrus soap!

Soap making is so much easier than it seems! You don't have to handle chemicals to make your own soap.

This Instructable will show you how to make your own citrus soap using the melt and pour method.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

For the purpose of this tutorial, I will add links to the supplies I personally use when possible.
-Clear melt and pour soap base (http://www.michaels.com/artminds-soap-making-clear-glycerin-soap/10299620.html)

-Soap mold (I prefer to use silicone molds, but any mold will work)

-Glass mixing bowl

-Stirrer (I found that using a wooden stirrer, as pictured, works the best)

-Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle

-Lemon essential oil

-Orange essential oil

-Yellow and red soap colorant (http://www.michaels.com/artminds-colorant-red-blue-yellow/10212981.html#q=soap+making&pmpt=qualifying&sz=24&start=34)

-Cutter (http://www.michaels.com/artminds-soap-making-straight-cutter/10215727.html)

-Microwave

Step 2: Prep

First, you take however much soap you want to make. For this batch, I am doing one pound.

Step 3: Cut

Then, with your cutter, cut the soap base into smaller pieces. You can also use a grater for this step. This speeds up the melting process. The smaller the pieces, the quicker it will melt.

Step 4: Melt

Next, place your soap pieces into your glass missing bowl.

Then, place the bowl in the microwave. Heat this for thirty seconds, remove and stir. Repeat this until the soap in completely melted.

Step 5: Add Fragrance

Now it’s time to add in the essential oils and the colorant. This is where you can customize a bit, depending on your preferences. If you want it to be more lemon than orange, add more orange to your mixture than lemon, or vice versa. One thing to keep in mind is that once the soap sets, the scent will not be as strong. So you will add more essential oils than you might think you need.

Step 6: Add Color

Next, add your colorant. Once again, you can customize some. Add the yellow,
mix thoroughly, and then add the red one drop at a time until the desired shade of orange is reached.

Step 7: Pour

Now it is time to pour your base into your mold. I prefer to use silicone molds, because it is easier to remove the soaps from them. If you use a plastic mold, spray it with your rubbing alcohol before you pour your base in. This helps prevent it from sticking.

Step 8: Spray

Your mixture will be bubbly on top, so spray it with the rubbing alcohol. If there are still bubbles, you can use your stirrer to try to get rid of them. Now, let the soap harden. It sets pretty quickly, but I generally try to leave it for at least an hour, if not longer.

Step 9: Remove From Mold

Now it’s time to see your finished product! Once hardened, remove the soap from the mold. If your soap is stuck in the mold, place it in the freezer for a bit. This will make it easier to remove.

Step 10: Cut Into Bars

Ta-da! You have citrus soap! Now, cut the soap into smaller bars, using the same cutter from earlier.

And there you have it!

Once you've made this batch, you can make any scent or color soap you can imagine! Just follow these instructions, substituting the essential oils and colors you want.

Now, go forth and make soap!