Homemade Heart Shaped Soap

This Heart Shaped Soap recipe creates a melt and pour soap that smells like vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ganache. I mean, what could be better than homemade soap that smells like chocolate and strawberries? This easy to make DIY soap not only makes a great treat for yourself, but it also makes a great gift for Valentines or any day of the year. 

I have to forewarn you. Once you start making your own soap, you might discover you can become easily addicted. There are so many different scents as well as molds! Then once you start looking at the mica powders and all of the different combinations that you can create, you’ll see how and why there is such a following when it comes to soapmaking.

And the great thing, well at least for me, is that this is a new hobby that is creating something my family will use. We do and will use the soaps. None of this will be wasted. So, for me, it’s a definite win-win.

Materials

• Goat’s milk melt and pour soap base – this is for the vanilla and strawberry soaps
• Cocoa butter melt and pour soap base – I used this for the chocolate soaps
• Vanilla essential oil
• Strawberry fragrance oil
• Chocolate ganache fragrance oil
• Mica powder – make sure this is cosmetic grade
• Rubbing alcohol – must be 90% proof

Supplies

Remember, since you are using melt and pour you do not need to use lye. That’s one of the reasons that I like to use melt and pour. It’s safer. I may eventually move into making soap with lye, however, for now, it’s melt and pour for me.

But, before you get started, I must caution you. Melt and pour sets up quickly so when you are ready to start making your soap, make sure that you won’t be distracted. I will normally do mine when nobody is at home or at night after everyone has went to bed. That way I’m not bothered (you know without the “Hey where is this” or the “Mom can I have a snack”), and the soap can set it the molds overnight and completely set up.

• an old cutting board – if you have been wanting to replace yours and get a new one now is the time.
• a knife – I have a one that I have made just for cutting soap now.
• small glass bowls – you will use these for your fragrance oils and/or mica powders. You won’t want to use these again for food just use old ones.
• craft sticks – if you don’t already have some, pick up a box and keep them on hand. You will go through several in each batch of soap.
• kitchen scale – this is one of the best investments ever.
• dropper – you will use this to measure out your fragrance oil. Make sure it’s not plastic.
• measuring spoons – again, set some aside that you won’t mind not using again for the mica and the rubbing alcohol. If anything, pick some up at the dollar store. Preferably stainless steel and not plastic.
• large measuring bowl/cup – this is what you will put in the cut-up blocks of soap in. Do not plan on using this again for food.
• mini spray bottles – you will use these when spritzing the soap after pouring the soap into the molds if there are any bubbles.
• Mica powder – remember not all mica powder is created the same.

Here are some key things to remember about Mica Powder:

ONLY USE IF IT IS COSMETIC GRADE. Let me repeat that. ONLY IF IT IS COSMETIC GRADE. You must do your due diligence with this. Don’t just click on the first ad you see. You have to make sure it says that’s approved for use on your skin. Not all of them are.

Mica creates a very pretty shimmery finish and can safely be used on skin. However, you must make sure you are buying the right ones. Make sure to check out the article I linked to on Vogue that discusses this further.

Instructions

Step 1: Set all of your supplies out. Once you start with doing this process you won’t have time to run around trying to find everything.

Step 2: Weigh out your soap.

Step 3: Cut up your soap into cubes.

Step 4: Melt the soap in the microwave.

Step 5: Add in the fragrance oil and the mica powder.

Step 6: Pour into molds.

Step 7: Let the soap set.

Step 8: Enjoy

Storage

First of all, store it in an airtight container in a dry environment. Since your soap will normally be stored in the bathroom, keep it dry.

What I have found works is wrapping each bar in plastic wrap, then putting it into an airtight container.

Top Tips

• Do NOT use Styrofoam cups to measure out your fragrance oil. I did this once. It literally ate through the cup. Learn from my mistake. Don’t do it.
• If you are sensitive to fragrance oils, run the vent over your microwave. They really aren’t that strong when you are using them though. Refer to the fragrance calculator link I mention below though so you don’t use too much.
• Feel free to use latex gloves.
• Remember anything you use for soap; you will not use for food again.

FAQ

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Yield: 2 soaps

Homemade Heart Shaped Soap

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Setting Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

This Homemade Heart Shaped Soap recipe creates a melt and pour soap that smells like vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ganache. I mean, what could be better than homemade soap that smells like chocolate and strawberries? This easy to make DIY soap not only makes a great treat for yourself, but it also makes a great gift for Valentines or any day of the year.

Print

Materials

• .4 lb Goat’s milk melt and pour soap base
• .4 lb Cocoa butter melt and pour soap base
• 10 - 20 drops Vanilla essential oil
• 4 oz. Strawberry fragrance oil
• 4 oz. Chocolate Ganache fragrance oil
• Chocolate Mica powder
• Strawberry Mica powder
• Rubbing alcohol (90% proof)

Tools

• an old cutting board
• a knife
• small glass bowls
• craft sticks
• kitchen scale
• dropper
• measuring spoons
• large measuring bowl/cup
• mini spray bottles

Instructions

• Using your scale, weigh out your soap base. You will want to have .1 lb to make one small heart and .4 lbs to make the larger heart.

To Make a Vanilla Scented Heart Soap

Melt the chunks of soap (goat's milk) in a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup. It's best to use something that has a pour spout. Set the timer for 15 SECONDS. Stir. If the chunks still need to melt more, set the timer for 5 SECONDS then check again and stir. Repeat this process until the melt and pour soap base has totally melted and is smooth. Be careful not to over melt the soap base.

• Once the soap has melted, let it cool for just a few seconds, then add in your vanilla essential oil. You will want to add in 10 - 20 drops MAX. Stir with a craft stick.
• Then carefully pour into the mold.
• Let the mold set for 1 - 2 hours. It's okay to leave this sit on the counter. You can also let it set overnight before removing.
• Remove it from the mold and enjoy!

To Make a Chocolate Ganache Soap

• Repeat all of the steps above EXCEPT the following.
• You will only want to add in 4 oz of the Chocolate Ganache fragrance oil into the melt and pour. You will add this after you have melted the chunks of soap.
• Next, make the mica powder. In a separate small glass bowl, add in 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon of the chocolate mica powder. Stir together with a craft stick. Add the mica powder into the melted soap.
• You may need to reheat the soap after each of these additions just to keep the soap from setting up. Do this for 5 to 10 SECONDS.
• Pour into the mold and let sit for 1 - 2 hours or overnight. It doesn't hurt for the longer mold to sit for 2 to 3 hours.

To Make a Strawberry Heart Soap

• Repeat all of the steps above EXCEPT the following.
• You will only want to add in 4 oz of the Strawberry fragrance oil into the melt and pour. You will add this after you have melted the chunks of soap.
• Next, make the mica powder. In a separate small glass bowl, add in 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon of the chocolate mica powder. Stir together with a craft stick. Add the mica powder into the melted soap.
• You may need to reheat the soap after each of these additions just to keep the soap from setting up. Do this for 5 to 10 SECONDS.
• Pour into the mold and let sit for 1 - 2 hours or overnight. It doesn't hurt for the longer mold to sit for 2 to 3 hours.