No matter how hard you try there will be times you have leftover soap. What can you do with it? For heaven sakes, don't throw it out because you can reuse it. When you're making soap keep on hand some smaller candy molds. These can be dinosaurs, flowers, sea shells, just about anything small. When you have extra soap just pour it in and voila -- you have some great sample soaps!

Tip #6 Can I mix fragrances?

Yes, you can make blends. I recommend you use a plastic pipette and count the drops you're adding of each fragrance. Write it down so that you can repeat it later! And always, always, always use fragrance oils that are made exclusively for soapmaking!

Tip #7 How many times can I reheat my soap?

I don't recommend more than 3 or 4 reheats. If you do, add some distilled water to the mixture. This is to replenish some of the moisture that is lost when you reheat. Start with a teaspoon. Use distilled water because it does not have any impurities.

Tip #8 Why do transparent glycerin soaps get cloudy or sticky after a while?

Glycerin soap is a humectant. It attracts moisture from the air. Ever see those little packages in medicines designed to absorb moisture? Or rice in salt shakers? This is done to absorb moisture. Rice and that bag in the medicine jar are humectants. Your glycerin soap will do this too. Sometimes it gets cloudy. Sometimes it even sweats. It is most likely to do this in places like Florida where there is so much humidity. But it will happen to all glycerin soaps in time. The best way to keep your soaps fresh is to keep them wrapped. Otherwise USE THEM!

Tip #9 Solid Glycerin Soap vs Clear Glycerin soap.

Glycerine soap starts out clear. If you add Titanium Dioxide it becomes solid. You cannot go back to clear once you put the titanium dioxide into the soap. You can also buy glycerine base soap that already has the titanium dioxide added. This is a great time saver -- and rarely is it any more expensive than the clear base.

Tip #10 Can I add herbs or dried petals to my Glycerin soaps?

Yes and No. Even though many of the craft stores have herbs in the glycerin soap section I DO NOT recommend using them UNLESS you add a preservative. Do a search on soap suppliers and check with them to make sure you understand how to use the preservative correctly. By introducing organic material to the soaps you risk the growth of bacteria -- especially when the soap is further exposed to water. Personally, I do not add herbs to my glycerin soaps. I do not wish to add preservatives to the soaps.

Tip #11 How do I get that pearlized effect?

Cosmetic grade micas provide the shimmer in clear soap. They come in a wide assortment of colors. They will add color to a solid soap -- but the shimmer is achieved with the clear soaps only.

#12 How to make soap on a rope - it's easy.

First, you want to pick a mold that is at least 4 ounces. Look at the soap and decide where the cord should be attached. I buy nylon cord that's about 1/4" thick. Cut about 18" of the cord -- more if you want a larger loop. Put the rope aside. Pour the soap and when it forms a film add the two cut ends of the cord. Try to keep them close together. Sometimes you will need to rest the rope on something to make sure that the ends to not touch the bottom of the mold. Once the soap hardens, and you de-mold it -- you have a soap on a rope! This makes a great gift!

#13 How do you put toys into soaps?

Answer. First you add some clear soap. Let it harden. Put your toys in upside down. Then add the rest of the clear soap. You can add glittery sparkle too -- or add a tint of color. For a dramatic effect -- use a final solid layer.