Bonfire Spin Swirl Soap Project
- Skill Level: Advanced
- Time: 2 hours
- Yield: About 5 pounds of soap
Project Description
The spin swirl is an advanced technique that involves layering soap in the mold. It's then spun on a lazy Susan or directly on the counter, which creates the unique look. It's the pefect technique for this Bonfire Soap, which is inspired by Bonfire Fragrance Oil. It's a smoky and sexy scent with notes of whiskey, cinnamon, sandalwood, and amber. It behaves wonderfully in cold process soap, which is crucial for a spin swirl.
Because this soap is poured at a thin trace, it may take a little bit longer to set up in the mold. We highly recommend adding sodium lactate and promoting gel phase by insulating the mold and placing it on a heating pad. This will help you remove the bars much more quickly.
You will need:
- Base:
- 18 Bar Birchwood Mold
- Silicone Liner for 18 Bar Mold
- 54 oz. Swirl Quick Mix
- 7.8 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 17.2 oz. Distilled Water
- 3.5 oz. Bonfire Fragrance Oil
- Titanium Dioxide
- Activated Charcoal
- Fizzy Lemonade Colorant
- Sunset Orange Mica
- Red Mica
- Brick Red Oxide
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 3.5 ounces of Bonfire Fragrance Oil into a small glass container and set aside.
COLORANT PREP: In separate containers, disperse 1 teaspoon of titanium dioxide, activated charcoal, and Brick Red Oxide into 1 tablespoon of sunflower or sweet almond oil (or any other liquid oil). Then, in separate containers, disperse 2 teaspoons of Red Mica, Fizzy Lemonade Colorant, and Sunset Orange Mica into 2 tablespoons of lightweight liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to get rid of any clumps. Optional: To ensure that the titanium dioxide blends smoothly into the soap batter, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Use a coffee grinder to blend the colorant to break up any clumps of color and prevent streaks of white from showing in the final soap. We like to use a coffee grinder that has a removable, stainless steel mixing area for easy cleaning.
SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices. That means goggles, gloves, and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, other distractions, and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your space. Always make soap in a well-ventilated area.
Follow these steps:
1
Slowly and carefully add 7.8 ounces of lye to 17.2 ounces of distilled water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. Optional: Add 3.5 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help harden the soap so it unmolds more quickly.
2
Melt the entire bag of Swirl Quick Mix in the microwave using 30-60 second bursts until it's completely clear. Shake the bag to fully incorporate the oils and pour 54 ounces into a large mixing bowl. Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 100-120° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend to a very thin trace.
3
Be careful to not over-emulsify the soap - it should be very thin. Split the batch into 5 containers. Four of the containers should contain about 450 mL and one should contain 600 mL.
4
Add the dispersed colorants to the 5 containers in the following amounts. To work as quickly as possible, we added the colorants directly into the containers first and then added the soap. Use a whisk to fully incorporate.
- Container A (450 mL): 1 Tbsp. Fizzy Lemonade Colorant + 1/4 tsp. Sunset Orange Mica
- Container B (450 mL): 2 tsp. Sunset Orange
- Container C (450 mL): 2 tsp. Red Mica + 1 tsp. Fizzy Lemonade + few drops of Brick Red Oxide
- Container D (450 mL): 1 tsp. Brick Red Oxide + 1 tsp. activated charcoal
- Container E (600 mL): 1 Tbsp. titanium dioxide
5
Add the fragrance oil proportionally between the containers (it’s okay to eyeball it). Use a whisk to thoroughly incorporate. The soap should still be very thin.
6
Now it’s time to pour. We like to place the mold on a lazy Susan to help spin the soap. The order you pour the colors into the mold is up to you. For this soap, we did not stick to the same color order throughout. We just poured the colors into the mold depending on what looked good. With each pour, keep in mind there is more white than the other colors. Pouring the white more frequently between the shades creates nice contrast.
Pour one color into one corner of the mold. Count to 3 to get an even amount. Pour a different color in the opposite corner of the mold, counting to 3. Start pouring various colors into both corners of the mold and a small dollop in the center. As you layer the colors, the soap is pushed toward the center of the mold. Work as quickly as possible during this process, as the soap will continue to thicken up with time. Every now and then, give the colors a whisk to help keep them fluid.
7
Continue layering colors in the various spots of the mold. Once they meet in the center, give the mold a little shake to disperse the soap. Working quickly, continue to pour the soap in the mold until it’s gone.
8
Give the mold a few firm taps on the counter to help eliminate air bubbles and to help the layers settle. Begin to spin the lazy Susan, stopping it quickly to help give the soap movement. You want the centrifugal force created by the spin and stop to move the soap in various directions within the mold. Be careful not to spin too hard, or the soap may spill out.
9
Continue swirling until you’re happy with the pattern. Be careful to not over-swirl the soap, or the colors will muddle together.
10
Place the divider set into the mold until it reaches the bottom. Spray the top of the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol and cover the mold. To promote gel phase, place the soap on a heating pad set to medium/high for about 1-2 hours.
11
Allow the soap to sit for about 2-3 days. Because this is a soft recipe and the soap was poured at a thin trace, it may take a little longer to unmold.
After 3 days, check to see if the silicone mold pulls away easily from the soap. If it does, remove the soap. If it doesn’t, give the soap another day or two to harden. Then, gently remove the bars from the dividers. To prevent tearing, do not pull the dividers. Push the soap down, or slide the dividers up or down to remove the soap without tearing. Allow the soap to cure for 4-6 weeks, and enjoy!
Bonfire Spin Swirl Soap Project
- Skill Level: Advanced
- Time: 2 hours
- Yield: About 5 pounds of soap
Project Description
The spin swirl is an advanced technique that involves layering soap in the mold. It's then spun on a lazy Susan or directly on the counter, which creates the unique look. It's the pefect technique for this Bonfire Soap, which is inspired by Bonfire Fragrance Oil. It's a smoky and sexy scent with notes of whiskey, cinnamon, sandalwood, and amber. It behaves wonderfully in cold process soap, which is crucial for a spin swirl.
Because this soap is poured at a thin trace, it may take a little bit longer to set up in the mold. We highly recommend adding sodium lactate and promoting gel phase by insulating the mold and placing it on a heating pad. This will help you remove the bars much more quickly.
You will need:
- Base:
- 18 Bar Birchwood Mold
- Silicone Liner for 18 Bar Mold
- 54 oz. Swirl Quick Mix
- 7.8 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 17.2 oz. Distilled Water
- 3.5 oz. Bonfire Fragrance Oil
- Titanium Dioxide
- Activated Charcoal
- Fizzy Lemonade Colorant
- Sunset Orange Mica
- Red Mica
- Brick Red Oxide
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 3.5 ounces of Bonfire Fragrance Oil into a small glass container and set aside.
COLORANT PREP: In separate containers, disperse 1 teaspoon of titanium dioxide, activated charcoal, and Brick Red Oxide into 1 tablespoon of sunflower or sweet almond oil (or any other liquid oil). Then, in separate containers, disperse 2 teaspoons of Red Mica, Fizzy Lemonade Colorant, and Sunset Orange Mica into 2 tablespoons of lightweight liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to get rid of any clumps. Optional: To ensure that the titanium dioxide blends smoothly into the soap batter, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Use a coffee grinder to blend the colorant to break up any clumps of color and prevent streaks of white from showing in the final soap. We like to use a coffee grinder that has a removable, stainless steel mixing area for easy cleaning.
SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices. That means goggles, gloves, and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, other distractions, and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your space. Always make soap in a well-ventilated area.
Follow these steps:
1
Slowly and carefully add 7.8 ounces of lye to 17.2 ounces of distilled water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. Optional: Add 3.5 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help harden the soap so it unmolds more quickly.
2
Melt the entire bag of Swirl Quick Mix in the microwave using 30-60 second bursts until it's completely clear. Shake the bag to fully incorporate the oils and pour 54 ounces into a large mixing bowl. Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 100-120° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend to a very thin trace.
3
Be careful to not over-emulsify the soap - it should be very thin. Split the batch into 5 containers. Four of the containers should contain about 450 mL and one should contain 600 mL.
4
Add the dispersed colorants to the 5 containers in the following amounts. To work as quickly as possible, we added the colorants directly into the containers first and then added the soap. Use a whisk to fully incorporate.
- Container A (450 mL): 1 Tbsp. Fizzy Lemonade Colorant + 1/4 tsp. Sunset Orange Mica
- Container B (450 mL): 2 tsp. Sunset Orange
- Container C (450 mL): 2 tsp. Red Mica + 1 tsp. Fizzy Lemonade + few drops of Brick Red Oxide
- Container D (450 mL): 1 tsp. Brick Red Oxide + 1 tsp. activated charcoal
- Container E (600 mL): 1 Tbsp. titanium dioxide
5
Add the fragrance oil proportionally between the containers (it’s okay to eyeball it). Use a whisk to thoroughly incorporate. The soap should still be very thin.
6
Now it’s time to pour. We like to place the mold on a lazy Susan to help spin the soap. The order you pour the colors into the mold is up to you. For this soap, we did not stick to the same color order throughout. We just poured the colors into the mold depending on what looked good. With each pour, keep in mind there is more white than the other colors. Pouring the white more frequently between the shades creates nice contrast.
Pour one color into one corner of the mold. Count to 3 to get an even amount. Pour a different color in the opposite corner of the mold, counting to 3. Start pouring various colors into both corners of the mold and a small dollop in the center. As you layer the colors, the soap is pushed toward the center of the mold. Work as quickly as possible during this process, as the soap will continue to thicken up with time. Every now and then, give the colors a whisk to help keep them fluid.
7
Continue layering colors in the various spots of the mold. Once they meet in the center, give the mold a little shake to disperse the soap. Working quickly, continue to pour the soap in the mold until it’s gone.
8
Give the mold a few firm taps on the counter to help eliminate air bubbles and to help the layers settle. Begin to spin the lazy Susan, stopping it quickly to help give the soap movement. You want the centrifugal force created by the spin and stop to move the soap in various directions within the mold. Be careful not to spin too hard, or the soap may spill out.
9
Continue swirling until you’re happy with the pattern. Be careful to not over-swirl the soap, or the colors will muddle together.
10
Place the divider set into the mold until it reaches the bottom. Spray the top of the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol and cover the mold. To promote gel phase, place the soap on a heating pad set to medium/high for about 1-2 hours.
11
Allow the soap to sit for about 2-3 days. Because this is a soft recipe and the soap was poured at a thin trace, it may take a little longer to unmold.
After 3 days, check to see if the silicone mold pulls away easily from the soap. If it does, remove the soap. If it doesn’t, give the soap another day or two to harden. Then, gently remove the bars from the dividers. To prevent tearing, do not pull the dividers. Push the soap down, or slide the dividers up or down to remove the soap without tearing. Allow the soap to cure for 4-6 weeks, and enjoy!
You will need:
- Base:
- 18 Bar Birchwood Mold
- Silicone Liner for 18 Bar Mold
- 54 oz. Swirl Quick Mix
- 7.8 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 17.2 oz. Distilled Water
- 3.5 oz. Bonfire Fragrance Oil
- Titanium Dioxide
- Activated Charcoal
- Fizzy Lemonade Colorant
- Sunset Orange Mica
- Red Mica
- Brick Red Oxide
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 3.5 ounces of Bonfire Fragrance Oil into a small glass container and set aside.
COLORANT PREP: In separate containers, disperse 1 teaspoon of titanium dioxide, activated charcoal, and Brick Red Oxide into 1 tablespoon of sunflower or sweet almond oil (or any other liquid oil). Then, in separate containers, disperse 2 teaspoons of Red Mica, Fizzy Lemonade Colorant, and Sunset Orange Mica into 2 tablespoons of lightweight liquid oil. Use a mini mixer to get rid of any clumps. Optional: To ensure that the titanium dioxide blends smoothly into the soap batter, we recommend micronizing it before dispersing it in oil. Use a coffee grinder to blend the colorant to break up any clumps of color and prevent streaks of white from showing in the final soap. We like to use a coffee grinder that has a removable, stainless steel mixing area for easy cleaning.
SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices. That means goggles, gloves, and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, other distractions, and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your space. Always make soap in a well-ventilated area.
Follow these steps:
1
Slowly and carefully add 7.8 ounces of lye to 17.2 ounces of distilled water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. Optional: Add 3.5 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help harden the soap so it unmolds more quickly.
2
Melt the entire bag of Swirl Quick Mix in the microwave using 30-60 second bursts until it's completely clear. Shake the bag to fully incorporate the oils and pour 54 ounces into a large mixing bowl. Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 100-120° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend to a very thin trace.
3
Be careful to not over-emulsify the soap - it should be very thin. Split the batch into 5 containers. Four of the containers should contain about 450 mL and one should contain 600 mL.
4
Add the dispersed colorants to the 5 containers in the following amounts. To work as quickly as possible, we added the colorants directly into the containers first and then added the soap. Use a whisk to fully incorporate.
- Container A (450 mL): 1 Tbsp. Fizzy Lemonade Colorant + 1/4 tsp. Sunset Orange Mica
- Container B (450 mL): 2 tsp. Sunset Orange
- Container C (450 mL): 2 tsp. Red Mica + 1 tsp. Fizzy Lemonade + few drops of Brick Red Oxide
- Container D (450 mL): 1 tsp. Brick Red Oxide + 1 tsp. activated charcoal
- Container E (600 mL): 1 Tbsp. titanium dioxide
5
Add the fragrance oil proportionally between the containers (it’s okay to eyeball it). Use a whisk to thoroughly incorporate. The soap should still be very thin.
6
Now it’s time to pour. We like to place the mold on a lazy Susan to help spin the soap. The order you pour the colors into the mold is up to you. For this soap, we did not stick to the same color order throughout. We just poured the colors into the mold depending on what looked good. With each pour, keep in mind there is more white than the other colors. Pouring the white more frequently between the shades creates nice contrast.
Pour one color into one corner of the mold. Count to 3 to get an even amount. Pour a different color in the opposite corner of the mold, counting to 3. Start pouring various colors into both corners of the mold and a small dollop in the center. As you layer the colors, the soap is pushed toward the center of the mold. Work as quickly as possible during this process, as the soap will continue to thicken up with time. Every now and then, give the colors a whisk to help keep them fluid.
7
Continue layering colors in the various spots of the mold. Once they meet in the center, give the mold a little shake to disperse the soap. Working quickly, continue to pour the soap in the mold until it’s gone.
8
Give the mold a few firm taps on the counter to help eliminate air bubbles and to help the layers settle. Begin to spin the lazy Susan, stopping it quickly to help give the soap movement. You want the centrifugal force created by the spin and stop to move the soap in various directions within the mold. Be careful not to spin too hard, or the soap may spill out.
9
Continue swirling until you’re happy with the pattern. Be careful to not over-swirl the soap, or the colors will muddle together.
10
Place the divider set into the mold until it reaches the bottom. Spray the top of the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol and cover the mold. To promote gel phase, place the soap on a heating pad set to medium/high for about 1-2 hours.
11
Allow the soap to sit for about 2-3 days. Because this is a soft recipe and the soap was poured at a thin trace, it may take a little longer to unmold.
After 3 days, check to see if the silicone mold pulls away easily from the soap. If it does, remove the soap. If it doesn’t, give the soap another day or two to harden. Then, gently remove the bars from the dividers. To prevent tearing, do not pull the dividers. Push the soap down, or slide the dividers up or down to remove the soap without tearing. Allow the soap to cure for 4-6 weeks, and enjoy!
