Rebatching Soap: Giving Old Bars a Second Life

Have you ever found yourself with leftover bits of soap, bars that have lost their scent, or maybe some that just didn’t turn out as pretty as you’d hoped? Don’t toss them out! Here at Robert Kline Art, we love to embrace creativity and resourcefulness, and that’s where the magic of soap rebatching comes in. It’s easier than you think to give those soap remnants a whole new life!

What is Soap Rebatching?

Rebatching is essentially the art of taking existing soap, breaking it down, and reforming it into new and beautiful bars. It’s a fantastic way to minimize waste and experiment with different designs. One method, called “partial rebatch” or “ciaglia,” is particularly interesting, and that’s what we’ll be exploring today.

The Beauty of Partial Rebatching

The partial rebatch method was a big hit at the Soap Challenge Club back in October 2021, and for good reason! It’s incredibly versatile and produces stunning results. Imagine this: instead of just melting down your old soap, you get to create a unique “speckled” effect in your new bars. It’s like giving your soap a little confetti celebration!

Creating a Rebatched Masterpiece: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s dive into the process of partial rebatching with a recipe I love to use. We’ll be using a blend of oils and a touch of “Frosted Cupcakes” fragrance oil. (You can find amazing fragrance oils specifically designed for soapmaking at many craft stores or online.)

Gathering Your Supplies:

• Oils:
  • Soybean Oil
  • Coconut Oil
  • Olive Oil
  • Shea Butter
• Lye: Sodium Hydroxide (always handle with extreme care!)
• Liquid: Distilled Water
• Fragrance Oil: Your favorite!
• Equipment:
  • Digital Scale
  • Heat-resistant Soapmaking Pitcher or Pot
  • Spoon
  • Silicone Spatula
  • Immersion Blender (Stick Blender)
  • Thermometer
  • Soap Mold
  • Safety Gear: Gloves, Eye Protection, Long Sleeves

The Recipe (1-pound Batch):

• 6 oz Soybean Oil
• 5 oz Coconut Oil
• 4 oz Olive Oil
• 1 oz Shea Butter
• 2.28 oz Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) – Use a Lye Calculator for accuracy
• 7 oz Water
• 0.28 oz Frosted Cupcakes Fragrance Oil – Use a Fragrance Calculator for safe usage rates

Let’s Get Started:

1. Safety First: Before you begin, suit up in your safety gear! Soapmaking involves working with lye, which can be dangerous if not handled properly. Always wear gloves, eye protection, and work in a well-ventilated area.

2. Preparing the Oils:

   • Weigh your oils carefully using a digital scale and combine them in your soapmaking pitcher.
   • Gently heat the oils in the microwave in short bursts until they are fully melted.
   • Set the melted oils aside to cool.

3. The Lye Solution:

   • In a separate container (preferably in a well-ventilated area or outside), carefully weigh your distilled water.
   • Slowly and carefully add the lye to the water, stirring gently with a heat-resistant spoon. Never add water to lye, as this can cause a dangerous reaction.
   • The lye solution will heat up quickly. Set it aside to cool.

4. Prepping Your Soap Shreds:

   • This is where the magic of partial rebatching happens! Take your old soap bars and grate them or cut them into small pieces.

5. Combining the Ingredients:

   • Once your oils and lye solution have cooled to around 110-130°F (and are within 10 degrees of each other), you’re ready to go!
   • Pour the soap shreds into the cooled oils.
   • Use your immersion blender to blend the mixture until the shreds are broken down into fine granules.
   • Now, carefully pour the cooled lye solution into the oil and soap shred mixture.
   • Give everything a good stir with your spoon, then use your immersion blender in short bursts to bring the mixture to a light trace (it should have the consistency of thin pudding).

6. Adding Fragrance:

   • Once you’ve achieved a light trace, it’s time to incorporate your fragrance oil! Slowly drizzle your fragrance into the soap batter while stirring gently.

7. Pouring and Molding:

   • Pour your rebatched soap batter into your prepared mold.
   • To prevent soda ash, you can cover the mold loosely with plastic wrap.

8. Waiting Game:

   • Allow your soap to sit undisturbed in the mold for 24-48 hours.

9. Unmolding and Cutting:

   • Gently unmold your soap loaf. If it’s still soft, allow it to harden further.
   • Once firm, use a sharp knife or soap cutter to cut the loaf into beautiful bars.

10. Curing:

    • Place your bars on a well-ventilated surface to cure for 4-6 weeks. This allows excess moisture to evaporate and the soap to harden, resulting in a milder, longer-lasting bar.

Tips and Tricks from Robert Kline Art:

• Experiment with different colors of soap shreds for a more dramatic effect.
• For a smoother look, use a finer grater for your soap scraps.
• If your rebatched soap feels a little too dry, you can add a bit of water or glycerin during the blending process to achieve the desired consistency.

Rebatching soap is a wonderful way to reduce waste, revitalize old soap, and create unique and beautiful bars. Have fun experimenting with different techniques, fragrances, and designs! And be sure to share your creations with us – we love seeing what you come up with!