Marbled & Tie Dyed Swirled Soaps Tutorial

Swirled and layered soaps are popular, so we wanted to take a different approach to swirling colors to create visually appealing soaps. With this tutorial you can use a single color to match your fragrance oil choice, or choose multiple colors for a tie dye or holiday theme. The sky’s the limit when you have soap colorant bottles in your hand!

Supplies and equipment needed:
Microwave
Microwave safe glass container
Sharp knife to cut soap into cubes
Spray bottle with rubbing alcohol
Butter knife for stirring soap
Rubber gloves
Disposable pipettes
Thermometer to monitor soap base temperature
Basic Rectangle Soap Mold (3 cavities, 3.4 x 2.3 x 1 deep; each cavity holds 4 ounces)
White Melt & Pour soap base
Body safe Fragrance Oils
Variety of Gel Soap Colorants

Step 1: Cut up approximately 13 ounces of White Melt & Pour soap base into small cubes using a sharp knife.

Step 2: Using a microwave safe container, melt the soap base in a microwave using 30 – second bursts until melted. Do not burn or boil, this will result in a poor quality rubbery soap. If there are any small chunks of soap left, stir slowly; the heat of the soap will melt these small chunks. TIP: There are three cavities in this mold and each holds 4 ounces of soap – melt a little extra to take into account that some of the soap base will stick to the container.

Step 3: Use a thermometer to monitor the soap temperature. I don’t like to add any fragrance oils or additives when the soap is too hot so I wait for it to cool to about 145 degrees.

Step 4: Using a disposable pipette, add 6 ml of body safe Fragrance Oil to the soap and stir in slowly.

Step 5: Now it’s time to add color drops to the soap mold. Add 4 or 5 drops of a variety of different Gel Soap colors to each cavity for a tie dye effect, or use a single color for a marbled effect. I placed random colors into each cavity. TIP: Try to space them evenly apart.

Step 6: Working with one mold cavity at a time, pour the scented soap directly onto each dot of color.

Note: No need to be gentle when pouring – your goal is to allow the color to spread naturally and if you pour too gently you’ll end up with blobs of color.

Step 7: You can also spritz with alcohol while pouring your soap. This helps to spread the color.

Step 8: Finish pouring all the way to the edge of the mold. Finish off with a spritz of alcohol to remove any bubbles. TIP: If you’re not too confident that the colors swirled enough, take a butter knife and insert it into the soap cavity and swirl the knife around a bit. Do this part gently; you don’t want to mix the colors.

Step 9: Do not move the soap mold until the soap has cooled and set. You’ll be able to see the swirls of colors in the soap moving a bit, but the movement will stop as the soap hardens.

Step 10: Wait 2-3 hours for the soap to completely harden. Turn the mold over carefully and slowly press on the bottom of the cavity to release each soap.

This is a great technique to use with holiday colors – Christmas, Independence Day, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving, spring and fall seasons, and Easter. Who needs eggs at Easter when you have these lovelies?! Also, pair single colors with complementing scents for a beautiful looking & smelling soap.

Creating tie dye soap is a fun and creative way to add a burst of color to your soap-making projects. Here are some tips to help you achieve stunning marbled tie dye effects using melt and pour soap bases.

1. Choose the Right Soap Base: When making tie dye soap, opt for a clear melt and pour soap base. This allows the vibrant colors to show through more effectively. Glycerin soap bases are a popular choice for their clarity and ease of use.
2. Use Quality Colorants: To achieve vivid and long-lasting colors, use soap colorants that are specifically designed for melt and pour soap. Avoid food coloring, as it can bleed and fade over time. Mica powders and liquid soap dyes work well for making tie dye soap.
3. Layering and Swirling Techniques: For a marbled tie dye effect, pour different colored soap layers into your mold and use a skewer or toothpick to create swirls. Work quickly but carefully to prevent the soap from setting too soon, which can affect the swirling effect.
4. Temperature Control: Melt the soap base slowly over low heat to prevent it from overheating. Overheating can cause the colors to bleed and mix too much, resulting in a muddy appearance. The ideal temperature for pouring is around 120°F to 130°F.
5. Experiment with Fragrances: Enhance your tie dye soap by adding fragrances that complement the colorful design. Essential oils and fragrance oils can be added to the melted soap base before pouring. Make sure the fragrance is well mixed to ensure an even scent throughout the soap.

What is the best soap base for making tie dye melt and pour soap?
A white glycerin melt and pour soap base is the best choice for making tie dye soap. Its transparency allows the colors to stand out vividly, creating a striking marbled tie dye effect.

Can I use food coloring for tie dye soap?
It's not recommended to use food coloring for tie dye soap, as it can bleed and fade over time. Instead, use soap colorants like mica powders or liquid soap dyes, which are designed for stability in soap.

How do I prevent the colors from mixing too much and becoming muddy?
To prevent colors from mixing too much, control the temperature of your melted soap base and pour carefully. Swirl the colors gently and avoid over-mixing. Working quickly and efficiently also helps maintain distinct color patterns.