In aromatherapy, peppermint is a stimulant and peppermint soap is a wonderful morning pick-me up. Peppermint soap is also great for an invigorating and refreshing post-workout shower. Melt-and-pour soap base, essential oils and dyes are all available at craft stores or online. Melt-and-pour soap base is pre-made soap that you can melt down and add your own fragrances and dyes.
Step 1
Cut the soap base into small chunks and put two thirds of the soap in one measuring cup and one third in the other measuring cup.
Step 2
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap in the microwave to trap moisture. Heat the soap in one minute increments until it melts. Stir the soap often and do not let it boil.
Step 3
Add one-quarter oz. of peppermint oil to the larger amount of soap base. Stir the soap lightly to mix the fragrance. Spray alcohol on the surface of the soap to disperse any bubbles.
Step 4
Add 10 drops of blue dye and 10 drops of yellow dye to the smaller amount of soap to make the soap green. Adjust the color ratios to get the desired shade of green. Gently stir the soap and spray alcohol on the surface to disperse any bubbles.
Step 5
Put a sprig of mint into each of the soap wells. Pour the clear, scented soap into the mold---leaving approximately one-half inch at the top of each well. Spray the surface of the bars with alcohol and let the soap sit for up to one minute. The soap should form a skin on the surface but still be soft.
Step 6
Pour the green soap on top of the clear soap. Spray the surface of the soap with alcohol and put the soap mold in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Step 7
Pop the finished bars out of the mold and trim any rough edges with a small knife. If you have trouble releasing the bars, briefly run hot water over the bottom of the mold (not the soap side). The soap is now ready for use. Wrap the extra bars in wax paper and store them in a cool, dry place.
Tips and Warnings
- You can use any essential oil, or blend of oils, for this recipe. Use one-quarter oz. of essential oil for every 2 lbs. of soap base. If blending oils, blend to "taste" then mix one-quarter oz. of the blended oil into the soap. You can also use pre-made oil blends.
- Use soap-safe dyes to avoid staining or irritating the skin. Handle hot soap with care. Melted soap can get as hot as 150 degrees.
Things You'll Need
- 2 lbs. organic melt-and-pour soap base
- 2 microwave-safe, glass measuring cups
- Organic peppermint essential oil
- Fresh organic peppermint
- Yellow soap-safe dye
- Blue soap-safe dye
- Rubber or silicone spatula
- Spray bottle of rubbing alcohol
- Six-bar soap mold
References
- Melt &Mold Soap Crafting;C. Kaila Westerman;2000
- The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy;Valerie Ann Worwood;1991
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