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What is Hand Milled Soap?

Allison Richard
Allison Richard

Hand milled soap is created by taking a standard bar of cold-pressed, store bought soap and rebatching, or melting and remolding it, into a newly made bar of soap. While the soap is being rebatched, essential oils, herbs, flowers, and other additions are mixed in to create unique soaps. Hand milled soap is often considered some of the finer soap available for purchase because of its uniqueness and fine texture, making it more expensive than other types of soap.

While they can be costly to purchase, making a batch of hand milled soap is relatively inexpensive and easy to do. There are several reasons people prefer to make their own soaps. They can ensure that there are no chemicals, dyes, or other harsh additives present in the soap, which can often trigger allergic reactions. The soaps can be personalized with a favorite scent. People also often make them to give as unique gifts, as well as to keep for themselves.

Hand milled soap.
Hand milled soap.

There are numerous hand milled soap recipes on the Internet. While each recipe offers a unique creation, it is best to start with a basic cold-pressed bar of soap. These unscented soaps are generally made by combining lye with an oil, such as coconut or hemp. Vegetable glycerin soap works well and can be purchased online or in craft stores.

The first step to making hand milled soap is to grate the cold-pressed soap; a standard cheese grater works well for this. For a finer textured soap, the grated soap can be blended in a food processor. The soap should the be melted by heating it gradually to ensure it does not boil. As it is heating, the soap should be stirred enough to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan, but no more than that. Over-stirring will create bubbles that can affect the soap's ability to harden once it is in the molds.

Coconut oil may be used to create soap.
Coconut oil may be used to create soap.

Once the soap is melted, it should be removed from the heat and let cool to between 150°F and 160°F (approximately 65°C to 71°C). Oils, herbs, spices, flowers, or other additives can then be added and stirred briskly to ensure they are evenly distributed. The soap can then be poured into molds, which should then be tapped or shaken gently to release any air bubbles in the soap.

Essential oils are often included in natural soaps.
Essential oils are often included in natural soaps.

The soap should then be placed into the refrigerator or freezer to allow it to harden. This can take several hours, depending on the ingredients used. Once they have hardened, the soaps can be removed from their molds and placed on a piece of paper or a mesh screen to cure. The soaps should be allowed to cure for several days or weeks, depending on the size, to let the excess water evaporate. The soap should be turned over every few days to prevent warping.

Discussion Comments

Lostnfound

I like to think of myself as craft-inclined, and I'd really like to try my hand at making hand-milled soap. I have a yard full of herbs like mint and basil, and I can never use them all up, or give them away, so maybe putting them in soap would be a good way to use them. Plus, I could give the soap as gifts! Or maybe sell it online.

If I go to an arts and crafts fair, I always look for things like soap or other bath products that are handmade. I feel good about supporting the crafters, and also about buying goods that aren't crammed with chemicals and artificial dyes.

Grivusangel

A friend gave me a bar of lavender hand milled soap for my birthday. It smells wonderful and is supposed to be good for making one unattractive to mosquitoes. Is that true? Does anyone know? I'd love to find something besides bug spray to keep the skeeters away from me!

The soap seems to be really good for my skin, which is also a plus. My skin seems softer and smoother since I've been using the soap. Maybe it's because it has coconut oil in it. That's awesome stuff for your skin! I have to wonder if that's what is keeping my skin soft. I'll definitely keep using the soap this winter to keep the flakes away!

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    • Hand milled soap.
      By: strongman50
      Hand milled soap.
    • Coconut oil may be used to create soap.
      By: Marco Mayer
      Coconut oil may be used to create soap.
    • Essential oils are often included in natural soaps.
      By: viperagp
      Essential oils are often included in natural soaps.