How To Make Trinket Melt and Pour Soap

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A little bar of soap can make a big splash, especially when it's got a fun and funky middle. Once your kids see the prize inside,…more »
Added May 19, 2008

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You Will Need

A pound or two of soap base
A cutting board
A serrated knife
A microwave
A microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup
Some plastic wrap
A whisk
A spray bottle of rubbing alcohol
The soap mold of your choice
And the small, fun object of your choice
A chopstick or toothpick (optional)

Step 1.
Check if trinket fits

Before starting, make sure the trinket you picked out fits inside the mold.
Step 2.
Cut base into cubes

Cut your base into 1-inch cubes to allow for easier melting. You can approximate the amount to melt by seeing how many chunks fit into the mold.
Use a clear glycerin base if you want your object to be visible inside the soap, and a milky, opaque base if you want it to be a hidden surprise.
Step 3.
Heat soap base

Place your soap base into the glass bowl or measuring cup, cover the top with plastic wrap, and heat in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. If the base isn’t completely melted after 30 seconds, remove it, stir it with a whisk, and re-heat at 10-second intervals, stirring in between, until it is. Don’t forget to replace the plastic wrap each time.
Step 4.
Gently stir

Remove the base from the microwave and gently stir with the whisk, to avoid creating air bubbles.
Step 5.
Pour thin layer

Pour a thin layer of melted soap base into the mold.
Avoid using a loaf-shaped soap mold—you’ll have to slice up the finished soap, and may end up cutting through the objects inside.
Step 6.
Spray with alcohol

Spray the top of the mold with rubbing alcohol to get rid of any excess bubbles and let it cool a minute or two, until a thin skin forms.
Step 7.
Place object

Place the object of your choice on top of this layer, then top off the mold with more melted soap base.
You may want to use a toothpick or chopstick to push the objects down or reposition them to your liking.
Step 8.
Spray alcohol again

Spray the top of the mold again with rubbing alcohol.
Step 9.
Let mold sit

Let the mold sit for several hours at room temperature—or in the refrigerator for about an hour.
Step 10.
Pop out soap

When the soap is fully hardened, pop it out and let the scrubbing begin.
Soap was taxed as a luxury item in many parts of Europe well into the 19th century —when the tax was finally removed, average folks were finally able to lather up.