Inspire Others- HOME SPA

Transform your home into a SPA!

Here you will find some of my own handmade recipes: Soaps, Foot Scrubs, Body Scrubs, Massage Oils, Creative Gifts ideas, and many more...

Self-Indulgence with these fabulous recipes!

*Note: MoMeMa had created and tested these recipes. Not because they are made with natural ingredients means that they are safe, please make sure you do a allergy test or be aware of ingredients used in each recipe. Inspire Others nor MoMeMa are responsable of any allergic reactions, misunderstanding procedures or outcomes of recipes you will be making. Use for personal purpose only!. All my recipes are original and some by resources of knowledgeable people in the soap trade business.

Have Fun and Enjoy making your very own "HOME SPA"...

CHAPTER 1

TOOLS OF THE TRADE:

The basic equipment and tools for creating melt and pour soaps and other homemade spa products are standard kitchen items that you possibly already own.

Glass Measuring Cups- Use heat resistant glass measuring cups to melt soap bases in the microwave or on the stove (with a pan to make a double boiler). You need 1 cup, 2-cups and 4-cups sizes.

Measuring Spoons- You need a set of metal or plastic for measuring additives.

Glass Droppers- You will need several glass ones for measuring frangance oils. Do not use plastic droppers!

Electric Spice/Coffee Grinder- My is a small one that I got at WaltMart. Is useful when grinding small amounts of additives.

Mixing Spoons- You will need metal or wooden ones to mix melted soap. I prefered metal ones because they will not transfer fragances to other products.

Large Saucepan- (for the stovetop method). Use the pan for a simple double boiler- put water in the saucepan and place a large heat-resistant glass measuring cup in it for melting the soap bases.

Paper Cups- Use small paper cups to hold pre-measured additives and to use a equal size risers for tray molds.

Sharp Knife- Use a sharp knife to cut blocks of melt and pour soap base into small pieces and to slice your finished molded soaps.

Wax Paper- I use wax paper to protect your work area when pouring and molding soaps.

Cheese Planer- You will use this tool to bevel soap edges for smooth and to make wonderful soap curls.

Molds- (Plastic and Metal) I've used melt and pour special mold that I bought from my local craft store or containers that I have at my kitchen, you may use: Tube molds; I've found them at my local hardware store in the plumming section, have someone to cut them about 2"-4" inches long this will make a nice round soap shape. Plastic Food Storage Containers; small sandwich or storage containers (4"-6") to make a loaf-style soaps. Try to find ones w/out design on the inside bottom and nicely rounded corners. Make sure they are microwave and dishwasher safe. Candle Molds; Some are suitable for soapmaking. Choose low, wide molds rather than long, skinny ones.

Mold Releases- To help the soap release from the mold I had use a single coat of petroleum jelly before pouring in the soap.

Colorants- Color is important ingredient of soap's allure. You can add spices and dried herbs for a natural soap or cosmetic grade colorants for a brightly colored bar. DON'T USE FOOD COLORING!

Fragrances- Adding fragrant oils is a significant part of creating your soaps. This is the most expensive ingredient you will buy, but they are the most important.

Two kinds of fragrances: Essencial Oils: They are highly concentrated and must be diluted with another oil base product such as; almond oil, Sunflower oil, etc.. before they can safely be applied to the skin or blended into soaps.

Fragrance Oils: Are much cheaper to produce than essential oils and they are therefore, less expensive. Most of them are synthetic and are not derived from specific plants, they come in a much wider range of scents and blends. I had use both, depending on what kind of soap or spa product I want to make.

CHAPTER 2

Soap Bases for Melt and Pour Method:

I have used this three soap bases for melt and pour recipes:
Clear Glycerin
It is gentle enough for all skin types and have little scent so it's ready for your own fragrant blends.

Whitened Glycerin
This soap base has titanium dioxide, a white mineral pigment. The are sometimes called "coconut oil soap" when extra coconut oil is added. This soap has a milky translucent look when melted and a lower melting point, this means that it cures slower than the clear glycerin soap base. You can add colorants and fragrants to achieve dramatic effects.

White Coconut Oil
True coconut oil soap, not just whitened glycerin soap with added coconut oil. Made with coconut and vegetable oil, enriched with vitamin E and make your skin feel soft, clean and healthy. It becomes clear when melting but fully hardened it is a bright white soap.
You may find this types of soap bases at your local craft stores or purchasing in the net by the bulk.


CHAPTER 3


Melt & Pour Technique: Basic Technique


PREPARATION:
**To calculate the amount of soap needed to fill your molds. Fill the mold with water, then por the water in the measuring cup to measure.
**Try to melt at least one additional ounce of soap to account for the soap the will cling to the inside of the measuring cup.
**Always slice the soap base into small pieces for quick melting.
**Prepare the molds with petrolium jelly for easy release.
**Completely dry all bowls, measuring cups, and mixing spoons.
**Never add water to Melt & Pour soap bases.
**Be careful when working with melting soaps, it can be very hot and can burn your skin if you spill it on you.
**Plan and Set-up in advance
**It takes practice to achieve perfection, so have patience and if your first batch of soap didn't work out, you can re-melt it to create another one.


1-Place the soap into a heat-resistant glass measuring cup and microwave for approximately 30 secs. to 1 minute on high. The melting time will vary depending on the amount of soap and the type of soap. It is much better to melt the soap in small time intervals to keep the soap from boiling over.


 2-Remove the soap from the microwave and stir lightly to completely melt any remaining soap pieces. Do not leave the mixing spoon in the soap while heating in the microwave or when melting on the stovetop.
You may use the Double Boiler technique: by Adjusting the heat to keep the soap at a constant liquid point. Do not let soap heat for more than 10 minutes.


3-Immediately add any additives or coloring to the melted soap and stir gently to mix. If soap starts to solidify, reheat it to re-melt it.


4-Add the drops of fragrance oils until desired level of fragrance is achieved.


5-Pour the soap into the mold immediately after the fragrance is added.


6-Let the soap cool and harden completely before removing from the mold. The soap will pop out easily when completely set. You may place the molds in the refrigerator for faster setting.
Now you can create costume packages for your soaps using: frabrics, gift wrapping papers, clear frabric bags, make a gift baskets, etc...Be Creative!