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Goldfish Soap-in-a-Bag Tutorial

Author: Sara

Materials

  • 2 lbs. glycerin soap
  • plastic fish
  • melting pot
  • rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle
  • funnel
  • clear poly bags with twist ties
  • chopsticks or needle nose pliers
  • bowl filled with ice water and fragrance oil (optional)

Instructions

  • Take your soap and cut it into four squares. I ordered mine online because I wanted extra clear glycerin. Extra clear glycerin insures the soap will set clear like water.
  • Put one of the squares into your pitcher and place in your melting pot on the stove.
  • Next, pour in some fragrance oil. I used a fragrance called Galactic Grape I also purchased online. The smell reminded me of Hubba Bubba grape gum.
  • Add the oil according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you do use a scent, try not to use anything with vanilla. Scents with vanilla tend to yellow glycerin soap and I wanted a clear pour, so I opted for grape.
  • Keep stirring as the soap continues to melt. When it all has turned to liquid, take your funnel and get ready to start the pouring.
  • Once you pour the soap into the bag, you're going to see bubbles like this. Take your rubbing alcohol and spray into the bag. It should take care of most of the bubbles.
  • Now take the bag and place it into the ice water. Placing the bag in ice water helps speed up the setting process.
  • Take your fish and lower him into the bag with a needle nose pliers. I know I showed chopsticks in the photo at the beginning of the tutorial, but I ended up switching to a needle nose pliers during the project.
  • Once you lower the fish into the soap, you'll need to hold him there for a couple minutes while the soap starts to harden. Try to touch the bottom of the bag to check on the setting process.
  • Once it starts to feel solid, you can remove the pliers and the fish should stay floating where you were holding it.
  • Remove your bag from the ice water and place upright in a cardboard box to harden completely. You could also use clothespins and hang the bags if you wish.
  • Once the fish were all set, I created these thank you tags, punched a hole in the top and then put the twist tie through to tie the bag off and finish the project.

Notes

  1. Optimal Soap Selection: When making Goldfish Soap-in-a-Bag, use extra clear glycerin soap for a transparent finish resembling water. This ensures that the soap sets clear, allowing the embedded plastic fish to be prominently displayed. Ordering glycerin soap online can provide access to a wider range of options, including extra clear varieties that may not be readily available in local stores.
  2. Mindful Fragrance Choice: When adding fragrance oil to the melted soap, select scents that complement the theme and desired aesthetic of the soap-in-a-bag. Avoid fragrances containing vanilla, as they can cause glycerin soap to yellow over time. Instead, opt for scents like Galactic Grape that evoke fun and freshness without compromising the clarity of the soap.
  3. Effective Bubble Removal and Setting: After pouring the melted soap into the poly bag, use rubbing alcohol to eliminate bubbles that may form on the surface. This step helps ensure a smooth and bubble-free appearance for the soap. Placing the bag in ice water accelerates the setting process, allowing the soap to harden more quickly. When inserting the plastic fish into the soap, use needle nose pliers to hold the fish in place until the soap begins to solidify, ensuring that the fish remains suspended in the soap as it sets.