The technique of hand milling (handmilling) or rebatching cold process soap allows soap makers to add ingredients to soap such as expensive essential oils or fragrances and colors that may be destroyed as part of cold process soap making. The technique is also useful for transforming plain or ugly soaps, as well as giving a new lease of life to odds and ends of soap left over from soap making projects.
What is Hand Milling or Rebatching Soap?
The technique of hand milling or rebatching cold process soap is very simple. The basic principle of hand milling or rebatching is grating the original bars of soap into thin strands and then gently heating this until it melts, ready to reform into bars or blocks of soap. While the process is very straightforward, there are many ways to achieve the end result. Most soap makers will have tried different methods and will have their own favorite. Whichever method a soap maker opts for, the basics of hand milling or rebatching remains the same.
How to Hand Mill or Rebatch Soap
- Grate the original blocks of soap into thin strands into a mixing bowl
- Add a little water – approximately ¼ cup to a pound of soap but this will vary depending on the dryness of the original soap
- Heat the soap strands until they appear translucent using a favored method
- Add fragrance and color, mixing well
- When the mix is the consistency of thick porridge or mash potato, spoon into a prepared mold
Handmilling or Rebatching Heating Methods
While the principles remain the same, the way of heating the soap strands can vary. The key to the successful rebatching or hand milling soap is in the heating. Slowly heating the soap strands will give consistent results. Options for heating the soap strands include:
- Slow cooker – the slow setting on a slow cooker is ideal for gently heating the soap strands. This option has the benefit of allowing the soap to be thoroughly mixed with a spoon.
- Boil-in-a-bag – this is a convenient and relatively mess-free way to heat soap strands ready for rebatching. The soap strands are simply placed into a bag suitable for boiling and this is put into a saucepan of water which is gently bought to the boil. The fragrances and colors can be added and mixed within the bag.
- Microwave – heating soap in the microwave is a quick way to melt the soap, but it does require constant checking to make sure that the soap is not over heating. It is best to put the microwave onto 'full' for two or three minutes and then let the soap mix stand for a few minutes before repeating, until the soap mix has melted.
In each of these methods any additives can be stirred into the soap mix when the soap has melted. This can then be poured or spooned into a mold.
Additions for Rebatched or Hand Milled Soaps
One of the benefits of making rebatched or hand milled soap is that ingredients that would otherwise be destroyed or altered as part of the saponification process can be added. As well as fragrances and colors, additions such as milk, butters and oils and botanicals can be added to enrich the soap mix without fear of them becoming spoiled.
Tips for Successfully Rebatching or Hand Milling Soap
- Do not allow the soap mix to dry out, this will result in lumpy soap
- Do not over heat the soap, this can result in burned soap
- Remember that newly made cold process soap may still be caustic, therefore wear gloves when chopping or grating the soap
- Newly made or fresh soap may require less water than old or dry soap
- Rebatched or milled soap can relatively thick and is therefore best suited to simple molds such as blocks or bars
Rebatching or hand milling soap is a versatile technique to know. Not only does it ensure that additions can be added to soaps without fear of them spoiling, but it also means that old soaps can be given a new lease of life.
Kate Pullen - Kate Pullen is a freelance writer specializing in arts and crafts , and is an accomplished craftsperson. As well as being a designer / ...
