It is always a disappointment when your soap doesn't do what it is supposed to do. I have had batches separate during their gel phase or were just plain ugly. I've tried re-batching with a crock pot like so many others, but would just end up with rubbery overcooked soap that worked well as a paperweight. Supplies and oils are expensive and it is great when you can save a batch!!
Do not despair! The Rebatch is here! This works great with left overs. crumbs and pieces or failed batches. Even a mix of both!
In this re-batch, I actually just used left over crumbs and left over pieces. If you are re-batching a failed batch of soap, save all the solids and liquids.
What you will need:
- A large pot filled 3/4 with water
- Your pieces and crumbs of soap and/or your failed batch
- A large baking bag
- Dish towels and pot holders
- A stove
First, I set a large pot of water to boil.
Here are the pieces I used. Just try to cut and crumb them up in as small pieces as possible. If you are going for a chunk look, you can leave some a little bigger. That's what I did in this batch. If you are doing a failed batch, put everything into a bag liquid and all. You will have to cut up the solid pieces. Where gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection with a failed batch due to the caustic nature of lye.
These are the oven bags I use. These have held up well for me
Put everything in the bag. At this point, I added an ounce of lavender essential oil. This was about 3 pounds of soap pieces. I also added about 4 ounces of coconut water. You can add plan water or some aloe vera juice too.
If you are working on a failed batch; you can add some crumbs from a prior batch or an ounce of oil. Whatever you think it needs.
Mix it up in the bag.
Push the air out and tie with a baggy tie.
When your water is boiling, place the bag in the boiling water. You can turn the heat down to medium or whatever you feel comfortable with. After half an hour, using a pot holder I took the bag out. Sorry about the fuzzy picture.
I used a dish towel to smash up the larger pieces and mix up the liquid with the solid soap. Then back in the pot for another 20 minutes.
Again, take it out and squish it around. The bag will be hot; so use the dish towel and the pot holder. It's not quite ready, so back in the pot of boiling water.
In this next picture, it still was not quite ready, but it was getting there. More squishing and mixing. The goal is to get the solid pieces to soften up and mix with the liquid. You may need to do it a few more times, but probably not.
This is what you want; a nice cohesive mix:
I had a few solid pieces but everything was holding together well. Once your "batter" is at the consistency you want, you can pour it into the mold. Be careful, it will be hot. You don't want to get it on your hands, so you might want to wear your gloves. You can either pour it in or you can cut the bottom corner of the bag and squeeze it into the mold. I've tried both ways and still made a mess.
I do not have a picture of it in the mold. It was a little thick, so once it was in the mold I was able to push it down, shape it, and get out the air bubbles. Then I kind flattened out the top
I named the soap Left Overs and Crumbs. Everybody loved it better than the regular soap!!
Next I will show you have I re-batched with my make-shift double boiler to make the most marvelous chocolate soap!!
