Loofah Soap!

Ingredients:

• About 4 lbs of clear melt and pour soap base
• A 12" pvc pipe mold just large enough to fit your loofah
• End cap for pvc pipe
• A quality 12" piece of clean, dry loofah (from a craft store.  You can use multiple smaller loofahs if you prefer) 
• Fragrance and/or color as desired (about 2 1/2 - 3 oz fragrance)
• Basic soap making equipment - pyrex pitcher, whisk, scale, knife, cups for fragrance oil, towels, microwave

Method

1. Make sure your pipe is clean, and put the end cap in place.  If you don't have an end cap, use 5 - 6 layers of saran or cling wrap fastened in place with a rubber band.
2. Slide the loofah into the mold.
3. Cut up and melt the soap.  You will need a little over 40 oz for the soap.  Larger pipes will require more soap.  Melt the soap in 1 - 2 minute intervals, stirring inbetween.
4. Once the soap is completely melted, add your fragrance oil (about 1 oz per pound of soap .. so about 2 1/2 oz for the mold) and color.
5. Pour the soap into the mold through the loofah.  Stop about 2" short of the top of the mold and tap the mold on the counter or floor to dislodge any air bubbles.  Fill the mold to the top.
6. Let the mold sit for 2 - 3 hours to cool. 
7. To unmold the soap, place the soap in the mold, in the freezer for about 20 minutes.  Remove the soap and run hot water over the outside of the mold.  Remove the end cap or saran wrap and push the soap out of the mold.
8. Slice the soap using a warm, sharp kitchen knife.
9. Let the soap dry for a few hours before packaging it up for gifts. 
10. To package the soap, cover it with a single layer of saran wrap and decorate with rafia, yarn, ribbon, tags, or whatever other items you may have for decoration.