How to Make Your Own Soap

Making your own soap is a brilliant skill to learn. Not only is it a fun craft to do with your family, friends, or even on your own, but it is also a good alternative to buying presents for people on special occasions. Nothing says you care about someone like making them something from scratch, and soap is a lovely thing to make a gift set of. Start planning for next Christmas and take a look at our super easy soap making guide.

There are many different ways that you can make soap, but we have chosen the melt and pour method. It’s easier, safer, and takes nowhere near as much time!

 

Things you will need:

  • A soap base – these can be bought from craft stores or online
  • A microwave or double boiler
  • A heat resistant bowl
  • Measuring spoons and whisks
  • Fragrance, colour, and additives (as desired)
  • A mould

 

Start by chopping your soap base up into chunks. This will make it easier to melt. If you’re using a microwave, put the chunks in a microwave-safe bowl and stir at 30-second intervals until the soap base is liquid and smooth. If you’re melting in a double boiler, make sure you do it over low heat, stirring constantly. This is to make sure the soap base doesn’t burn.

 

Once your base has been melted, allow it to cool to 50 degrees Celsius. Now is the time to add your fragrance, colours, and additives. Make sure that whatever fragrance you use is cosmetic grade – that way, you know it’s completely safe to use. You can really have fun with this process: add your favourite scents, make the soap any colour you want. It’s the perfect way to explore your creativity! Additives like body scrubs, flowers and herbs need to be added at just the right time to make sure they don’t sink to the bottom. This takes a lot of trial and error, so experiment with your soap at different temperatures. Work fast though – soap cools and sets very quickly. 

 

Finally, pour your soap mix into your mould. You can choose any mould you see fit – star shaped are lovely as gift soaps, and heart shaped is perfect for holidays like Valentines Day. Leave it for a day until your soap is hardened and dry, et voila: your soap is ready to use!