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Orange Zest Soap Recipe

Equipment

  • soap molds
  • Glass measuring cup with a pour spout
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring spoons
  • Toothpick

Ingredients

  • Zest from one large or three small oranges
  • Orange mica powder optional but recommended
  • 10 - 15 drops Orange essential oil optional but recommended for an enhanced scent
  • 2 pounds goat’s milk melt and pour soap base can usually create around 10 standard size bars of soap
  • Rubbing alcohol optional but useful to coat molds with to prevent air bubbles and create a smooth surface on the bottom and sides of the bars

Instructions

  • Cut about four to five large chunks from the soap base.
  • Put the soap base chunks into the glass measuring cup.
  • Place the measuring cup with the melt and pour soap base chunks into the microwave for 60 seconds.
    soap base chunk into measuring cup
  • Remove the measuring cup from the microwave oven, and stir to thoroughly combine the soap base. If you are using a clear glycerin base, the chunks may be completely melted, but if using goat’s milk, shea butter, or an oatmeal melt and pour soap base, it will likely need to be heated through at least one more time.
  • Put the glass measuring cup with the soap chunks back into the microwave for 30 seconds.
    melted soap base
  • Repeat previous step until all of the melt and pour soap base have melted entirely. Do not get into a hurry and microwave the chunks for two minutes or so all at once - skipping the stirring steps. The melt and pour base can easily become scorched if overly subjected to heat.
    Take note of the image below to see what a goat’s milk melt and pour soap base commonly looks like after being in the microwave for about one and a half minutes.
    microwaved soap base
  • Next, place the soap molds into your workspace - making sure that the spot is 100 percent level, first. I always place my silicone molds onto a baking sheet so they can be moved out of the work space if I am going to be using it for other tasks in the next few hours, or to put the molds into the refrigerator to cure them quicker.
  • Stir in the orange zest.
  • Add in the orange essential oil and the mica powder, and stir to completely combine.
    stirring mica powder
  • Pour the orange zest melt and pour soap recipe into the molds.
    soap molds with soap mixture in them
  • Pop any air bubbles that form on the soap gently with a toothpick. Only press the toothpick into the air bubble and not through the soap.
  • To cure the orange zest melt and pour soap base, place the molds in a level spot in the refrigerator for about half an hour or in a level spot and allow them to harden at room temperature for approximately two to three hours.