{"id":137318,"date":"2022-12-27T12:09:14","date_gmt":"2022-12-27T12:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com\/?p=137318"},"modified":"2024-10-17T02:58:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T02:58:35","slug":"soap-design-swirling-techniques","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com\/soap-design-swirling-techniques\/","title":{"rendered":"Cold Process Soap Designs: 10 Soap Swirl Techniques to Try"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the joys of making cold process soap yourself are the many soap designs you can choose from. You can use different soap swirl techniques to create different cold process soap designs and the results are so beautiful it is like making soap art!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning soap swirl techniques will allow you to take your cold process soap making skills to the next level. Decorating soap is fun and rewarding, and by learning a few techniques you\u2019ll be able to create truly stand-out soap bars that not only provide gentle and nourishing cleansing to the skin but are beautiful, too. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading for tips on how to make swirl soap, including 10 cold process soap design ideas for you to try.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soap swirls: 10 cold process soap design ideas<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Drop swirls<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. In-the-pot (ITP) swirls<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Taiwan swirl<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Hanger swirl<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Secret swirl<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Column pour<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Pipe divider swirl<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Peacock Swirl<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Simple swirl<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Mica swirl<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These soap swirl techniques each create a unique soap design. Below we share a photo of soap bars made using each of these swirl techniques, plus an explanation of how each design is made,<\/span> so you can be inspired to have a go yourself and create your own pieces of soap art.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Each of these techniques is covered in detail in our <\/span>Diploma in Soap Making<\/span><\/a>. Inside our dedicated <\/span>Advanced Soapmaking: Soap Swirling Techniques<\/b> module you\u2019ll find a video tutorial showing you exactly how to carry out each swirling technique, plus step-by-step instructions and photos so you can quickly and easily learn to make different soap designs.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Soap design 1: Drop swirls<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Skill level: Easy<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mold: Loaf mold<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Drop swirls are simple and easy-to-make designs in cold process soap. They do not require lots of time or experience, yet they create a lovely effect in finished soaps. In this technique, the soap mixture is divided into two or more parts, each part colored differently. The soap is then poured into a loaf mold, in smaller portions, rotating the colors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Soap design 2. In-the-pot (ITP) swirls <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Skill level: Easy<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mold: Loaf mold<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In-the-pot (ITP<\/span>) <\/b>swirl is also a simple soap swirl technique. The cold process soap mixture is divided into two or more parts, each dyed differently and, as the name implies, these are mixed \u2018in the pot\u2019 as opposed to in the mold. During the process, some of the soap colors blend with the others whilst some remain separated, creating a lovely effect.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Soap design 3. Taiwan swirl <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Skill level: Fairly easy<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mold: Loaf mold<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Taiwan swirl is a very elegant soap swirl and fairly easy to make in a loaf mold. A Taiwan swirl involves placing dividers in the mold and pouring different colors into different sections and then using a rod in a specific way to create the swirl pattern. The Taiwan swirl is an example of a soap that needs to be cut horizontally as opposed to regular vertical cutting to see the full soap swirl design.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Soap design 4. Hanger swirl <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Skill level: Fairly easy<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mold: Loaf mold<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The hanger swirl technique requires a wire. It can create many different results, including a zig-zag design or round swirl pattern, depending on how soap colors are poured into the mold, and how the wire is then moved to swirl the colors. Every design is attractive and unique!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Soap design 5. Secret swirl <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Skill level: Challenging<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mold: Loaf mold<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The secret swirl is a challenging swirl that requires good experience with soapmaking. It is called a secret (or hidden) swirl since the swirling result is not visible until the soap is cut into bars.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Soap design 6. Column pour <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Skill level: Easy<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mold: Slab mold<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Column pour uses a slab mold and is a simple technique to create lovely colorful soaps. An object that acts as a \u2018column\u2019 is placed into the middle of a lined slab mold and different soap colors are poured onto the column. This creates concentric circles that are then swirled with a rod.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Soap design 7. Pipe divider swirl <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Skill level: Easy<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mold: Slab mold<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This technique utilizes PVC pipes (like the ones used in plumbing) and soap dyed in different colors. Some colors are poured into the pipes and others into the mold. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Soap design 8. Peacock Swirl <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Skill level: Challenging<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mold: Slab mold<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The peacock swirl takes quite a long time to create, because the different colored soap is poured into the mold in thin lines. A tool called a \u2018soaping comb\u2019 is very handy for this swirl as many parallel lines are required. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Soap design 9.<\/b> Simple swirl <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Skill level: Easy<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mold: Loaf mold<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Many cold process soapmakers like to decorate the top of a soap loaf, to make it look prettier. In most cases, not all of the colored soap will be used during swirling; there are usually some leftovers that can be used to decorate the top of the loaf. A rod or chopstick is used to create swirls just at the very top of the soap.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Soap design 10. Mica swirl <\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Skill level: Easy<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mold: Loaf mold<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Similar to the simple swirl technique, shimmery mica can be used to decorate the top of a soap. When we use colored micas to dye soap, the mica loses its shimmery appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, if we keep the mica just on the top of the soap, it gives a lovely shimmery result.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Soap swirl techniques FAQs<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    How difficult are the soap designs to achieve? <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    While they look complex, many of the soap swirling techniques are actually easy to carry out. Above we have indicated if each soap design is easy, fairly easy or challenging to create.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What swirl tools do you need to create beautiful soap designs? <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Making detailed swirls in cold process soap requires a few pieces of additional equipment. Luckily it’s easy and inexpensive to obtain and you may already have some of it at home.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n