Scrub & Buff Loofah Soap

Love homemade soap recipes? By combining soap and a loofah sponge to make this Scrub & Buff Loofah Soap, you can clean even the dirtiest of hands.

Materials:

Soap Base (Yaley Coconut Oil and Clear Glycerin were used)
Knife or Vegetable Cutter
Large Glass Measuring Cup
Colorant
Scent
Loofah sponge (expanded)
Long Handled Spoons
Microwave Oven
A sturdy plastic bag
Plastic wrap
Tape
Drinking glass to hold the loofah until soap as set

Instructions:

1. Wrap the loofah several times with plastic wrap. You want the top of the loofah open or even with the top of the plastic wrap. Fold excess plastic wrap at bottom of the sponge back up and around the sponge. Secure into place with tape. Place loofah sponge into the sturdy plastic bag. You want the bottom of the sponge to be at the bottom of the bag. Fold any excess plastic bag (except around the top) around the sponge and tape into place. Make sure the plastic bag is very secure around the sponge. Cut away any excess plastic from the top area of the sponge if you think it will interfere with pouring the soap into the sponge (mold).
    
2. Cut soap base into smaller pieces. Place in large glass measuring cup and melt. The coconut oil soap base tends to melt much faster than the clear glycerin soap base. Place measuring glass into microwave and heat on medium for 30 seconds. Continue to heat in 15-second increments until all the soap base has melted. You do not want the soap base to boil or smoke. If this happens you are using too high a heat setting, so lower the heat. Keep this in mind if you are heating the soap base on a stove element. Remove glass measuring cup from microwave or stove element.
    
3. Stir melted soap base and then wait until the soap base has a thin film covering the top of it. This happens faster with the coconut oil soap base. Remove the film with your spoon. Now the soap base has cooled enough to add colorant and scent. Colorant is added in small amounts and keep stirring until well mixed.
    
4. Add scent and stir until well mixed. You’ll need to add several drops of scent. Most scent packaging will give you exact amounts of scent to add. Scents are divided into three categories: high, medium and low notes. High notes fade quickly like lemon while low notes remain strong over time like lavender or lime. Stir until scent is well mixed into the soap base.
    
5. Place loofah mold into a drinking glass that can hold the mold’s weight and hold the filled loofah’s weight. Pour soap into the loofah. Tip: You can fill the loofah to the top with the melted soap, but the loofah is going to absorb some of that soap. So, check back in a few minutes to see if you need to pour in more melted soap.
    
6. Allow the soap in the loofah to cool for about 1-2 hours (depending on the loofah sponge size which does vary). Remove all the plastic bag and wrap. Cut the loofah every 1- 2 inches to make individual soaps.