I have some ogallala bay rum soap - can you melt a shave soap to make it fit more precise into a shaving bowl vs putting it in a mug?
Can you melt a soap?
- Thread starter rkelmy
- Start date
Glycerine based soaps (which I believe Og. is) can be melted... gently either over a double boiler or in 10 sec burts in the microwave. All other soaps... tallow based, triple milled, etc. will be ruined by melting. To get these into a different container you need to "mill" them into itty bitty pieces with a cheese grater (or some such) and then press the pieces into whatever container you want.
edit: when in doubt, mill the soap.
edit: when in doubt, mill the soap.
- Thread starter
- #3
Makes sense. THanks for your advice.
You're welcome. There's a good guide around here someplace "How to mill any soap" or something very much like that. It'll be worth a read. And, welcome to B&B!
Is it safe to say you can melt and "clear" soaps, such as Col. Conk, and mill and solid soaps, like Tabac or VDH?
That's not a bad guide as a general rule. But, every general rule has an exception. There are some glycerin soaps that aren't clear, for ex. When in doubt, mill it.
Easy enough. Thank you.
You're welcome.
Ogallala soap is not clear; however, if you look at the descriptions for the shaving soaps at John's site you will find
"...If you have a mug that is a bit smaller, you can just whittle a bit off around the edges and throw the shavings in the mug with your soap to make it fit or melt for 30 seconds in a microwave-safe container and pour into your mug (of course then you'll need to let it cool for a few hours).... Whip it up into a nice lather with your brush and....well, you are gonna LOVE this soap...
http://www.usfreeads.com/catalogs/363692/item874727.html
To play it safe though, I do 12 second bursts in the microwave.
"...If you have a mug that is a bit smaller, you can just whittle a bit off around the edges and throw the shavings in the mug with your soap to make it fit or melt for 30 seconds in a microwave-safe container and pour into your mug (of course then you'll need to let it cool for a few hours).... Whip it up into a nice lather with your brush and....well, you are gonna LOVE this soap...
http://www.usfreeads.com/catalogs/363692/item874727.html
To play it safe though, I do 12 second bursts in the microwave.
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I have melted Mama Bear soap (glycerin) samples, 10 seconds on high in the micro. No problems.
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VDH Deluxe is a glycerin based soap, that isn't clear. It melts just fine in the microwave. Like you said when in doubt, mill it.
