This Santa Melt and Pour Soap tutorial is the perfect festive project to add a handmade touch to your holiday season. Whether you’re creating gifts for friends or stocking up your craft fair table, this Santa-themed soap captures the spirit of Christmas with its vibrant red, black, and white layers—resembling Santa’s classic suit.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk through every step—from creating clean layers to adding a whipped white top—so even if you’re new to melt and pour soap making, you’ll get professional-looking results.
Materials List
You’ll need the following materials and tools for this project:
Soap Bases
- Clear Melt and Pour Soap Base
- Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base (for the whipped top)
Colorants and Additives
- Red Strawberry Mica (from Sardi’s Micas)
- Activated Charcoal Powder (for the belt layer)
- Gold Rush Mica (for buckle detail)
- Bio Glitter (optional, for festive sparkle)
Fragrance
- Peppermint Fragrance Oil (5 mL per 16 oz of soap recommended)
Tools and Supplies
- Funnel Cups
- Pipettes
- Digital Scale
- Ruler and Marker (to mark soap layer heights)
- Isopropyl Alcohol (99% preferred) in a spray bottle
- Cookie Cutters (for buckle shapes)
- Silicone Square Soap Mold
- Ice Pack (for faster setting)
- Small Spatula or Stir Stick
- Hand Mixer with Whisk Attachment
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare and Measure
- Use a ruler to mark your soap mold in one-inch increments. These marks will guide you for each layer.
- Fill the mold with water to measure the total volume, then pour the same amount of glycerin soap base into your measuring container.
Step 2: Create the Gold Buckle Embed
- Melt about 3 oz of clear glycerin soap base.
- Mix in Gold Rush Mica with a small amount of alcohol until fully blended.
- Pour the mixture into a small mold cavity (cookie cutter or embed mold).
- Spritz the surface with alcohol to remove bubbles, then let it set completely.
Once hardened, cut small buckle shapes using your cookie cutters. These will be added to Santa’s “belt” later.
Step 3: Pour the Red Soap Layer
- Melt enough clear soap base to create your first red layer (about 10–12 oz depending on mold size).
- Add Red Strawberry Mica until you achieve a vibrant Santa red color.
- Mix in peppermint fragrance oil (approximately 5 mL per 16 oz of soap).
- Allow the soap to cool to about 135°F before pouring.
- Pour slowly up to your first marked line.
- Spritz with alcohol and allow it to develop a thick skin before pouring the next layer.
- Tip: Place the mold on an ice pack to help the soap set faster.
Step 4: Create the Black Belt Layer
- Melt another portion of clear soap base and add activated charcoal.
- Add a few drops of alcohol to help disperse the charcoal evenly.
- Mix thoroughly, being careful not to spill—charcoal stains easily!
- Allow the mixture to cool to about 130°F before pouring.
- Score the surface of the red layer with light hash marks, spritz with alcohol, then pour the black layer gently to avoid breaking through.
Step 5: Add the White Whipped Soap Top
- Melt white soap base and allow it to cool slightly before whipping.
- Use a hand mixer with whisk attachment to whip the soap until it reaches a fluffy, frosting-like consistency.
- Lightly score the top of your black layer and spritz with alcohol.
- Use a spatula to gently scoop the whipped soap onto the surface, forming soft peaks.
- Sprinkle bio glitter for a snowy effect.
- Allow the soap to fully harden for several hours or overnight.
Step 6: Unmold and Cut
Once the soap is firm:
- Gently pull the sides of the mold away to loosen it.
- Press from the bottom to release.
- Slice into even bars, revealing the layered Santa design with red, black, and white sections.
Pro Tips & Temperature Guidelines
- Temperature matters: Pour layers at 125°F–135°F to prevent melting through the previous layer.
- Use 99% isopropyl alcohol between layers for best adhesion. Lower percentages (91–94%) may cause separation.
- Cool on an ice pack to speed up hardening and prevent color bleeding.
- Avoid over-mixing mica powders; use alcohol to dissolve clumps before adding to soap.
- Allow a thick skin to form between layers to maintain clean color separation.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Layers mixing together | Soap too hot when poured | Wait until below 135°F before adding new layer |
| Buckle embed sinking | Base layer too soft | Allow first layer to develop a firm skin before placing embeds |
| Color streaks or specks | Undissolved mica | Mix mica with alcohol before adding |
| Soap sweating | Humidity exposure | Wrap bars in shrink wrap once fully cured |
Variations
- Color Variations: Use green or gold layers for an elf-inspired theme.
- Fragrance Alternatives: Try vanilla mint, cranberry, or cinnamon for festive alternatives.
- Design Options: Replace the belt buckle with a Christmas tree or snowflake embed for variety.
Final Results
Your finished Santa Melt and Pour Soap has bold red layers, a black “belt” stripe, a shiny gold buckle, and a whipped white top that resembles Santa’s fur trim. Each bar looks festive and smells like crisp peppermint—perfect for holiday gifts, craft fairs, or stocking stuffers.
Conclusion
Creating Santa Melt and Pour Soap is a fun and creative way to bring Christmas cheer into your soap-making projects. With careful layering, temperature control, and a touch of glitter, you’ll achieve professional results every time.
Ready to try this project yourself? Visit KoalaSoap.com for more melt and pour soap tutorials, supplies, and inspiration for your next handmade creation.
