Making Homemade Soap

If you have ever been the recipient of homemade soap you know that it is special, made with love. It has more character than the store-bought soaps. Making your own soap is fun and easy and it makes a great gift.

Homemade Soap Techniques

There are different techniques for soap making. You can make it from scratch with lye and oils, you can grind up soap bars and reblend them, or melt and pour glycerin blocks.

The easiest method of soapmaking is to buy glycerin blocks, melting it in the microwave in a covered Pyrex container and pouring into soap molds. Then add essential oils, fragrances and coloring if you want.

There are many soap-making kits in craft stores that have all the ingredients included. This is a great way to start if you are a beginner.

Presentation is everything. You can wrap your soap in cellophane with pressed flowers or seashells, or wrapped in cloth with hemp string.

Homemade Soap Tips

• Make sure the fragrance oil you are using is the kind that is for the skin, not for the oil burner.

• Use a microwave-safe container, the soap gets very hot.

• To layer different colors, make sure the first layer is cooled enough until it is warm and slightly firm, so that the colors don't bleed into each other.

• Soap sets faster when you put it in the fridge.

• Experiment with different colors and textures: dried lavender and leaves, cubes of set soap, oatmeal.

Related articles

Soap Maiking Supplies

Soap Making Recipe

Making Glycerin Soap

Soap Making Instructions

Soap Making Kit