How to Make Soap

I used to think the soap making process was really complicated. It wasn't until someone gave me some soap base as a gift that I even attempted making my own. If you use a good base, and just add a few ingredients, you can make soap at home easily!

I always use the silicone molds to make mine because they come out great each time. I have tried other containers with zero success so find what works for you. The soap base can be purchased online or in your local craft store. Either a shea butter or goat's milk base will work fine for any homemade soap recipe.

Then you just need to add a little bit of a nourishing oil that will help along the moisturizing part and some essential oils. Be sure they are pure ones if you are concerned about making this soap toxin-free.

For this recipe, I have combined Balsam Fir, Cedarwood and Spearmint. This creates an uplifting combination of the mint and the woodsy scents that is great for the skin, and is also a good scent for men and women both. The process works with any scents so when you get comfortable start experimenting with your own scents and blends.

Soap Ingredients

8-12 oz, Shea Butter Soap Base
1 tsp, Sweet Almond Oil
4 drops, Cedarwood Essential Oil
6 drops, Spearmint Essential Oil
6 drops, Balsam Fir Essential Oil
Silicone Mold (an ice cub tray would also work)

How to Make Soap

Chop up the soap base into smaller squares. Depending on your mold, the amount of soap can vary. I will chop up enough to fit in the mold (as pictured above) so I have an idea of how much is needed since. I still add another 2 or 3 squares of it to ensure it will be enough once it's melted.
Place the soap pieces into a glass measuring cup or mixing bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds. They will be about half-melted, so take a rubber spatula and turn them and stir, then place back into the microwave again for 30 more seconds.
Measure out your sweet almond oil and add it to that melted soap when it comes out. Stir well and then microwave for 20 seconds.
At this point there should be no lumps in the soap and you will likely need to scrape some soap off the sides of the bowl to get it to melt back in.
Now you can add in your essential oils to the mixture. If the soap is still somewhat solid, microwave again for 10-15 seconds. As you start to add the essential oils, the soap will solidify some. Be sure to get all the soap mixture involved, scraping the sides and getting down in the bottom of the bowl too.
Microwave all ingredients one last time for 20 seconds. If the soap looks all smooth, pour smoothly and slowly into the molds. They should be filled up as far as you can go, to just below the top edge if you have enough soap base to do so. If it happens to solidify too much, microwave again for a few seconds and then pour again.
Place the soaps on the counter at room temperature until they are cooled. To try them out and see if they are ready, feel the center of the mold. If it is still warm, give them a bit longer. If not, go ahead and carefully peel the mold from the top corner and the soap should easily pop out of the mold for you.

So, you are a rockstar and now know how to make soap from scratch! I hope you agree that this recipe is fairly quick and easy. It mostly consists of stirring and microwaving. Hopefully you’ll be able to duplicate it and make your own versions too. It would be easy to add in rosemary sprigs, or other herbs to make a good exfoliant version too.

It goes without saying, but these make fantastic gifts! This is also a great recipe if you want to try you hand selling at craft shows (check out the post on Crafts to Make and Sell for Profit if you're interested in learning more about that). I've purchased these from vendors at various shows, and they are fabulous!