Three Ways to Make Soap Ball Embeds from Scrap Soap

Here are three ways to reuse your soap and create something to use in a new batch. Technically there are two methods, one of which has two variations, with a further two methods still. For simplification, I've separated them into three. I want to say that I haven't touched on hot process rebatching, as this is a post specific to creating soap ball embeds, but that's a perfectly reasonable way to reuse soap prior to rolling soap balls too.

My preferred method for soap ball embeds is to make separate batches of coloured soap specifically for that use, (as below) and rolled within 3 days. Planning is important. If I want to make layered or marbled soap balls in a particular colourway, I need to plan ahead.

Three colour fresh soap, made for making marbled soap balls

Three colour marbled soap balls from fresh soap. Note the smoothness of the surface

However, sometimes, I do make soap balls out of unwanted batches of fresh soap or scraps. So without further ado, lets look at all of the methods, starting with moulding from fresh soap...

The Fresh Soap Method

If you have a batch you're not happy with and the soap is relatively fresh, (say 2 to 7 days, depending on your recipe), you should be able to use this method for moulding soap balls. If I have to re-use soap for embeds using this method, I tend to use soap which is as fresh as possible, say two days old, which I keep in airtight containers to prevent moisture loss.

Soap balls made from fresh soap using a three tone pink in the pot swirl

If your soap is older than this, or has passed it's full curing period, it will probably be dry and harder on the outside, which isn't ideal as it's unyielding in the hands. In this case, it will be necessary to plane or grate off the exterior to reach the softer more malleable soap below. If the soap is fully cured and mostly unworkable, this method wont be easy.  But don't worry, if it's too meddlesome you can still make soap balls with it, using one of the grated soap methods below.

Three tone pink soap balls in our 'Bananadrama' soap

Once you have your soft fresh soap, I recommend working it in the hands a little to warm it up, making it easier to work. The advantage of using fresh soap as opposed to re-used grated soap, is the smooth consistency and flat surface you are able to achieve. The process is very straight forward, simply tear pieces off and roll into balls. It's that simple. Some people use a melon baller to get the precise amounts and to get a head start on the shaping, but I'm happy to just dig in without that.

There's also a bit of a misconception about needing to use a grater to make soap balls. In my experience, if the soap is fresh, there is no need to grate it, that's just adding an extra process and more washing up. If the soap is soft, you can roll balls with it. There's also no need for the balls to go through a curing period before using them in your soap, simply use them in your next batch. You can store them on your curing rack or in a clean airtight container, I find it makes no difference, provided they're used as soon as you can.

The Grated Method (cold)

This is a very forgiving and easy method. It's probably the one most commonly used I reckon. You can pretty much use any CP or HP soap, fresh or cured for this. Simply grate your soap on the finest setting and collect into a bowl. Then try to form the shreds into balls, by mixing and squishing the soap hard between your fingers and in your hands. You're aiming for a stiff dough like consistency, but not too dry, so that the shreds refuse to bond.

Soap balls made from cured soap, using the Cold Grated method

You can spray with a little water, but do so very sparingly, (we're talking in the region of  1-2g of water per 100g of soap max).You do not want to create a wet slimy mess, less is more in this case and a spray bottle is your friend. A little water combined with the warmth from your hands and the constant squashing and squishing, should help bring the soap to the right consistency, where it holds together and doesn't crack apart. Then you simply pinch chunks off and roll into balls.

Cold Grated method soap balls in our 'Oddball' soap

If you have stubborn dry shreds, simply spray with a little more water, mix well, cover and set aside for an hour. When you come back, keep on working that soap, squishing and mixing it. If this isn't working for you, then the warm method may be for you.

 

The Grated Method (warm)

Place your soap shreds or small chunks in an oven appropriate bowl and spray with a sparing spritz of water, squish and mix and cover well. You are aiming for just enough water to make the shreds slightly sticky, NOT wet or slimy.

Warning, be careful. Following these instructions should ensure your soap doesn't get too hot. we're aiming for warm, not hot rebatch! If the soap does get hot, leave it aside, covered, until cool enough to use. Stir with a spoon if unsure and only hand form once the soap is at a safe and manageable temperature

Top tips: Spritz as and when you feel the soap drying out and keep the soap covered in between forming the balls, to prevent it drying.
  
Traditional oven
Place in the oven on the lowest setting for half an hour. You are not aiming to cook the soap, but to simply warm it through. If your lowest setting is still 'hot', turn the oven off and then put the soap inside. The residual heat should be enough to 'relax' the shreds. Bring out, allow to cool, uncover and mix well. If you can work the soap, great! If not return to the oven and repeat.

Microwave oven
Place in the microwave and cook on a medium setting for 30 second bursts. Stirring between each burst to check for consistency and temperature.  When cool and workable, shape into balls. Microwaving will warm your soap up fast, so bare this in mind and check temperatures as you go.

45g cured soap (dry thin slivers approx 5mm thick)

Here is a test using 45g of cured soap, cut into small slivers and chunks. This soap is coarser than finely grated soap, so took a little longer to soften, but still only minutes. A larger amount of soap would require more water and a little more time to stir and soften. I recommend 500g max shreds at a time. It's a manageable amount which doesn't take up too much space.

Stages of soap softening using the microwave. Key below (click for larger image)

Image Key
1 ~ Spritzed with water and stirred
2 ~ After microwaving on 450 (900w capacity oven) for 30 seconds and stirred
3 ~ After spritzing & microwaving for a further 30 seconds and stirred (1 min total cooking time)
4 ~ After spritzing & microwaving for a further 30 seconds, stirred/crushed (1.30 min tot)
5 ~ After spritzing & microwaving for a further 30 seconds, stirred/crushed (2 mins tot)
6 ~  After spritzing & microwaving for a final 30 seconds, stirred/crushed (2.30 mins tot)

Do not be tempted to blat the soap on full power for 3 minutes, just to speed things up. This would be a BAD MOVE, unless you want to be clearing up a scalding volcano mess of hot soapy lava for the next couple of hours.

Finished soap balls made from fully cured soap using the Grated (warm) method in the microwave

By testing your softened soap after each stage, you will be able to determine whether you want a more chunky look or a softer, smoother more combined look. To illustrate this, here are the balls I made from the same soap. On the left are balls rolled after stage 4 and after stage 6. Both rolled easily and held together well. The soap on the right had a smoother softer consistency, more akin to fresh soap and I was able to roll creating a lovely smooth surface. Below are the same balls cut open to reveal the type of effects achievable and what you will see when you cut your final soap.

Differing effects from the same soap slivers

Interesting to note, directly after forming the balls, I weighed all of them and they weighed 45g! The same weight as the dry slivers I had started with, so any excess water had evaporated away during the making process.

Thanks for reading, come back soon bubble chums xx :)