*Jelly Soap*
100% Fun & Kid approved!
I was recently asked about this new creation called "Jelly Soap". Having never even heard about this soap prior, I was immediately intrigued and was really eager to try it out. Over the past few weeks, it seems that these new Jelly Soaps have been one of the main topics lately, and have taken over the internet by storm.
I found dozens upon dozens of new recipes out there, which I tested many of; trying to come up with the perfect bar with a wiggly jelly-like consistency, yet firm enough to where it would hold up a bit to typical handling. I wanted to keep the recipe as easy as possible, so I could make it with simple items that I already had at home (making it a perfect fun project with the kids on a rainy day). My main goal was to stick with a recipe that requires plain gelatin, instead of other recipes that require actual jelly base that you can find online. After trying several different recipes, I found the perfect one!
Sooo... here we go :)
Materials you will need:
*1/2c. Boiling Water
*2 packets Original Unflavored Gelatin
*Soap Dye (This can be food coloring, Bath & Body Dye, etc.)
* Jelly Soap Molds (You can use a plastic cup, regular soap mold, etc.)
*Bowl and stirring utensil
*Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle (optional for removing bubbles)
***
Start off by emptying the 2 packets of Unflavored Gelatin into a bowl.
Add a 1/2c. boiling water to 2 packets of Original Unflavored Gelatin.
Stir until completely dissolved. It was rather lumpy at first, so I switched from a plastic spoon, to a wire whisk, and the whisk worked much better for mixing more thoroughly. Whichever mixing tool you use, be patient with this step to prevent hard lumps!
You'll notice that a layer of foam will form on the surface. If you don't want bubbles, they are fairly easy to scoop right off with a spoon. It's be best to wait until there is no further mixing to be done, since more bubbles are to come with the next steps.
Once the Gelatin is completely dissolved in the hot water, pick out your favorite liquid soap. This can be Hand Soap, Body Wash, Bubble Bath, the sky is the limit! I knew my 5 year old would have a blast with these in the bath, so I used a Watermelon scented kids tear-free Shampoo/Conditioner that I had on-hand.
***Note: This Watermelon scent smells A-MA-ZING!!!
I'd highly suggest making a larger batch, to prevent an upset child once they find out that
you've used all of their Jelly Soap for yourself. LOL
Measure out 1/4c. of the liquid soap and add it to the Gelatin mixture. After stirring until completely dissolved, the mixture will be notably thicker. Now is the time to add the Soap Coloring of your choice. You can use food coloring, bath & body dye, or even glitter for some extra sparkle!
For this recipe, I used Grass Green gel tone colorant, as well as Neon Blue gel tone colorant. Bitter Creek has an entire line of Gel Tone Colorants. From Neon, to Metallic, you're bound to find the color you are looking for!
Purely Purple Gel Tone (Just one of many color options)
In a prior batch, I had used Pearl Pink Mica Powder, which colored the Jelly beautifully, but much of the mica powder sank to the bottom of the mold. It was still beautiful though. :)
Once you've mixed your coloring in, gather your Jelly Molds. You can use anything from plastic cups, Regular Soap Molds, or even an ice cube tray to make mini soaps! Bitter Creek offers these 3oz Oval Plastic Cups, so being the perfect size for soap, I picked up some to try. They worked perfectly!
To make it even more fun for kids, try adding some fun items within the soap bar. I picked up these fluffy Metallic Tinsel Puff Balls from a craft store a while back, and they worked great for this project.
As soon as your molds are all set to go, start pouring! I made half of the soaps with the puff balls, and half without. They were pretty fun. :)
The one thing I did notice about using the puff balls, is that they do float a bit at first, but once your mold is completely filled, pushing them down a bit with a toothpick really helped keep them under the surface.
If you are really not wanting any bubbles on the surface of your soap (pictured below), using rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle will remove all bubbles right away.
Since these 3oz Oval Cups also come with lids, I put the lids on all of the molds before I put them in the fridge. This also helped keep the puff balls from floating up.
Now the soaps are all ready to go into the fridge! Depending on how thick you make your soap bars, it may take as little as 1hr before they are ready to remove, but I left my soap bars in the fridge over night to make extra sure that they were good to go.
After your soap bars have set, pop them out of the molds and enjoy!
*Note: With this recipe requiring Gelatin, these soap bars need to be kept in the fridge. They are one-time use soap bars if used in the bath, since they will dissolve slowly in warm/hot water.
***
My 5 year old absolutely loved them and kept begging to take baths all day long lol. I am really glad this topic was brought up to me, and that it's actually a completely safe and fun project that the kids can join in and help with. I'm sure we will be making these Jelly Soaps often!
If there is ever a fun candle or Bath & Body product that you would like seen made,
Please send your requests to info@candlesupply.com. :)
Please send your requests to info@candlesupply.com. :)
Happy Candle & Soap Making!
-Elya
