Melt and Pour Honey Milk Soap

Melt and pour soap is the ultimate beginner-friendly soap-making method, requiring no lye handling or advanced techniques. This honey and milk variation creates a luxuriously moisturizing bar that's perfect for sensitive skin. The natural sweetness of honey combines with the soothing properties of milk to create a nourishing cleansing bar. Best of all, you can have finished, usable soap within hours instead of weeks.

Ingredients

Base

• 2.0 lbs (908g) clear or white melt and pour soap base

Additions

• 2.0 tbsp (30ml) raw honey
• 1/4 cup (60ml) powdered goat milk
• 1/4 cup (60ml) powdered coconut milk

Fragrance and Color

• 0.5 oz (14g) honey fragrance oil or sweet milk fragrance
• 1/2 tsp (2ml) golden oxide colorant or mica (creates warm honey tone)
• 1/4 tsp (1ml) cream colorant (optional, for enhanced milk appearance)

Equipment Needed

• Microwave-safe glass bowl or double boiler
• Thermometer (can be candy/soap thermometer)
• Digital scale
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Silicone molds (8-cavity for standard bars)
• Spray bottle with isopropyl alcohol
• Cutting board (if needed)
• Airtight storage containers

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Set up your work area with all ingredients and equipment within reach. If using silicone molds, place them on a flat, stable surface where they won't be disturbed while curing. Ensure your space is at room temperature (68-72°F is ideal). Have alcohol spray ready to eliminate air bubbles.

Step 2: Cut the Soap Base

Remove your melt and pour soap base from its packaging. Using a sharp knife, cut it into 1-inch cubes. This increases surface area and ensures even, predictable melting. Weigh out 2 lbs of cubed base using your digital scale. If you cut more than needed, you can save excess for future batches.

Step 3: Melt the Soap Base

Place the cubed soap base in a microwave-safe glass bowl or the top of a double boiler. If using a microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. The soap should melt at around 170-180°F. Avoid boiling or overheating, which can create bubbles and make the soap brittle. Alternatively, if using a double boiler, fill the bottom with water and gently heat the soap over the steaming water.

Step 4: Monitor Temperature

Use your thermometer to check the soap temperature. You're aiming for approximately 170-175°F. If it exceeds 180°F, let it cool slightly before proceeding. The soap should be completely melted and fluid, with no lumps remaining.

Step 5: Add Honey and Milk Powders

Once the soap is fully melted and at proper temperature, remove from heat. Quickly add the raw honey, stirring well to distribute evenly. Then add the powdered goat milk and powdered coconut milk, stirring thoroughly with your rubber spatula. Mix for 2-3 minutes to ensure these ingredients are fully incorporated throughout the soap base.

Step 6: Incorporate Fragrance

Add your chosen fragrance oil (0.5 oz) and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial—thorough mixing ensures consistent scent distribution throughout the batch. The fragrance oil will blend completely into the melted soap base.

Step 7: Add Color

If using colorant, add your chosen oxide or mica and stir well for 2-3 minutes. You should see the soap gradually take on a warm, honey-like tone. Start with half your planned colorant, stir thoroughly, assess the color, and add more if needed. Remember that colorant is concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

Step 8: Let Cool Slightly

Allow the melted, colored, and fragranced soap to cool for 2-3 minutes. It should still be fluid and pourable, but not piping hot. This prevents rapid cooling in molds, which can create uneven texture.

Step 9: Pour into Molds

Carefully pour the soap into your silicone molds, filling each cavity about 3/4 to the top. Work relatively quickly—the soap will begin to set as it cools. If bubbles appear on the surface, spray them lightly with isopropyl alcohol and gently tap the mold to pop them.

Step 10: Cure and Set

Allow the molded soap to cool undisturbed at room temperature for 2-4 hours. You can place the molds in a cool location to accelerate cooling. The soap is ready when it's solid enough to remove from molds without deforming.

Step 11: Remove from Molds

Once fully hardened, gently pop the soap bars out of the silicone molds by flexing the mold or pressing from the back. Place bars on a clean, dry surface. Melt and pour soap is ready to use immediately, though you can allow a 24-hour air-dry period for harder bars.

Step 12: Wrap and Store

For gift-giving or extended storage, wrap bars in kraft paper or cellophane. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Melt and pour soap typically has a shelf life of 1-2 years if stored properly.

Tips for Success

• Avoid Overheating: Temperature control prevents the soap base from becoming grainy or developing a film on the surface. Keep heating time to a minimum.
• Stir Thoroughly: Each ingredient addition requires thorough mixing to ensure even distribution. Incomplete stirring creates mottled or improperly scented bars.
• Use High-Quality Base: Invest in premium melt and pour bases from reputable suppliers. Quality bases melt more smoothly and create better-lathering soaps.
• Milk Powder Prevents Scorching: The milk powder can scorch if overheated. Keep temperatures below 180°F once dairy ingredients are added.
• Fragrance Oil Amount: Different oils have different potency levels. Start with 0.5 oz per 2 lbs and adjust based on scent strength preference.

Variations

• Oatmeal Honey: Add 2 tbsp ground oatmeal for gentle exfoliation and a rustic appearance.
• Honey Lavender: Replace sweet milk fragrance with lavender essential oil (0.4 oz) and add dried lavender buds for an herbal note.
• Luxury Whipped Version: Whip cooled soap with a hand mixer to create whipped soap bars (requires adding a small amount of emulsifying wax).

Cost Breakdown

Estimated Cost per Bar: $1.03-$1.38

Related Recipes

• Melt and Pour Oatmeal Soap
• Melt and Pour Lavender Soap
• Aloe Vera Soothing Soap

Troubleshooting: If your soap hardens too quickly in the mold, reheat briefly in the microwave (10-15 seconds) and pour again. If soap is too thin, let it cool longer before pouring. If bars are too soft after 4 hours, refrigerate for 30 minutes to accelerate hardening.