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AR15.COM
1/10/2013 1:57:11 PM EDT
Hi All,

So I have a bunch of left over soap from bar soaps that we use on a daily basis.  All together, maybe a pound or so.  I tried to melt them down to make bigger useable bars, but no luck.  I heated them in a tuna fish can over low heat.  Tried both over an open flame and in a double boiler.  I even tried over high heat.  The soap would not melt...  Any way to make this work?  Making candles is easier LOL.

Regards
1/10/2013 2:07:55 PM EDT
[#1]
I believe bars of soap are formed with pressure and not heat. You would need to press them into a mold under high pressure to make one solid bar.
1/10/2013 2:30:26 PM EDT
[#2]





Could you toss all of the scraps in to a cheesecloth like bag and just use that?







When you heated them, did you do it dry?  Have you tried putting some water in there and trying something like http://www.instructables.com/id/Reforming-Soap-Scraps/step6/Form-Bars-in-the-Bowls/ that?

 
1/10/2013 3:01:34 PM EDT
[#3]



Quoted:




Could you toss all of the scraps in to a cheesecloth like bag and just use that?




When you heated them, did you do it dry?  Have you tried putting some water in there and trying something like http://www.instructables.com/id/Reforming-Soap-Scraps/step6/Form-Bars-in-the-Bowls/ that?
 


Interesting.

 
1/10/2013 3:23:18 PM EDT
[#4]
I like the cheesecloth idea.

I do the same thing, I have a whole container full of soap scraps.

I made one bar out of them by tossing them into pan and then adding water to the pan and simmering it, I had to stir the hell out of it too.

When it was a goopy mess I filled dixie cups and pushed them in tight, after about a week I was able to use them.
1/10/2013 3:23:46 PM EDT
[#5]
I had not added water... this looks promising.  Thanks.
1/11/2013 1:25:44 AM EDT
[#6]
Grate, add water, heat, stir until it is melted, pour into molds.  

I bought an item several years back called a Soap Saver.  It is just a container with a pump top.  You put the soap, water, and some pony beads (large beads, the beads keep the soap from clogging up the pump), shake it up, and let it sit for a few days.  You get a liquid soap.  It takes using it a bit to get the proportions right but it is handy.  I keep mine in the kitchen as I do a lot of hand washing.