Ready for a fun melt-and-pour soap project? This easy loofah soap recipe not only looks and smells amazing, but it’s perfect for a bit of exfoliation while you lather up in the bath or shower. Plus, they make perfect homemade beauty gifts!
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Loofah Soap Supplies
Step 1 | Cut the Loofah
Cut the dry loofah sponge into 8 even pieces by cutting once vertically, then cutting each half into 4 pieces. Next, add the loofah sponge pieces to water to reconstitute and remove any seeds as needed (this is a natural vegetable product, so you may have seeds).
Towel dry each loofah piece to remove excess water. Set aside.
Step 2 | Prep Rubbing Alcohol
Add rubbing alcohol to the 2 oz spray bottle. Spritzing the melted soap with rubbing alcohol eliminates air bubbles.
Step 3 | Melt the Soap Base
Cut the soap base into 1-inch cubes and divide equally into 2 microwave-safe glass containers.
Melt the first container of soap in the microwave with 30-second bursts, stirring in between bursts with a spoon until the soap is fully melted.
Step 4 | Add Color + Fragrance
Slice off a sliver of the orange color block, and mix a small amount into the first container of melted soap until you achieve a bright orange hue. What you see is what you get with these soap colorants, so feel free to add more if you want a brighter color.
Add 4 droppers full (about 12 mL) of fragrance oil to the melted orange soap base, and stir until the fragrance oil is fully distributed.
Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 using the electric bubble gum color block and your second container of soap.
Step 5 | Place the Loofah
Place 1 loofah sponge in each rectangle mold. It’s okay if the loofah sponges are still a little damp. Trim the sponges if needed.
Ideally, we want both containers of soap at about the same temperature when we pour. If you have a thermometer, the magic temperature is about 130°F.
If you don’t have a thermometer, no problem. Let the soap cool down until it gets a little bit thicker and starts to form a “skin” on top.
The soap should not be hot. If the soap cooled down too much, just pop it back in the microwave for another couple of 30-second bursts.
Step 6 | Pour the Soap
The color fusion technique is all about the “pour.” Pour the pink soap into 4 molds, filling the molds only halfway.
Next, pour the orange soap on top of the pink soap to fill the mold to the top. Repeat this step for the remaining 4 soap molds, pouring the orange soap first and the pink soap second.
Step 7 | Remove Air Bubbles
Spritz all of the soaps with rubbing alcohol to eliminate bubbles.
Step 8 | Let It Cool
Let the soap harden for 12–24 hours before unmolding. The cooling and hardening time can vary, but generally, it takes a few hours for the soap to completely harden. Larger or thicker soaps may take longer.
Placing the molds in the refrigerator can expedite the cooling process, but avoid freezing, as it may affect the soap’s texture.
Step 9 | Remove from Molds
Once the soap has fully hardened, carefully pop the soap out of the molds. If you encounter resistance, let it sit for a bit longer.
The soap is ready to use right away, or add the raffia and labels to the soap mold and give them away as gifts. Your friends and family will love you!
FAQ
What is melt and pour soap? Melt and pour soap is a pre-made soap base that you can melt, add your desired ingredients, and then pour into molds. It’s a convenient option for DIY soap projects. Can I use any type of loofah for this soap? We recommend natural loofah sponges, which are plant-based. Just make sure the loofah is clean and cut into sections that fit your soap molds. Is it necessary to add color to the soap? Nope! Adding color to your soap is optional. If you prefer a natural look, you can skip the colorant. 152