Melt and pour

Melt and pour is a soap base that has already been through saponification by the manufacturer. Makers simply cut off a chunk, melt it gently, usually in a microwave or double boiler, stir in color and fragrance, and pour it into a mold to set, with no lye to measure or handle.

Because there is no chemical reaction happening in the maker's kitchen, melt and pour is generally considered the easiest entry point into soap making, and bars can usually be unmolded and used within hours rather than weeks. Bases come in variations such as clear glycerin, goat's milk, shea butter, or aloe.

When buying a base, check that it is meant for soap rather than candle wax, since the two are not interchangeable. Common mistakes include overheating the base until it scorches or separates, adding fragrance oil above the usage rate the supplier lists, and pouring while the base is too hot for the mold material.