How To Make Soap At Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever thought about making your soap at home? Whether you want a natural alternative to store-bought soaps, are looking for a fun DIY project, or even thinking of starting a small business, soap-making is an exciting and creative skill to learn!

Homemade soap gives you complete control over the ingredients, so you can customize it to be as moisturizing, fragrant, or gentle as you like. Plus, it makes for amazing handmade gifts!

Let’s walk through soap-making, from gathering ingredients to curing and packaging your homemade bars. Let’s dive in!

What Is Soap Making?

Soap making is mixing natural oils or fats with lye (sodium hydroxide) to create soap through a chemical reaction called saponification. This turns the ingredients into a solid or liquid cleanser.

Homemade soap allows for customization, letting you choose skin-friendly, natural ingredients over store-bought soaps that may contain harsh chemicals. Add essential oils, colours, and moisturizers like shea butter or honey to create unique and nourishing bars.

Basic Steps in Soap Making

Mixing: Creating the Soap Base

Mix lye with a liquid to form a strong alkaline solution. Carefully combine this with oils or fats to trigger saponification. Stir until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like texture.

Always add lye to water, never the other way around, to avoid dangerous reactions!

Moulding: Shaping the Soap

Once the soap reaches a trace, pour it into molds. Common molds include silicone, wooden, and plastic. Let the soap sit undisturbed for 24–48 hours to harden.
Covering the mould with a towel can help the soap through the gel phase, enhancing colour and texture.

Curing: Letting the Soap Mature

Cold-process soap must cure for 4–6 weeks in a well-ventilated area. This allows excess moisture to evaporate, making the soap harder, longer-lasting, and gentler on the skin.

Though soap is safe to touch after 48 hours, using it too soon may cause it to dissolve quickly in water.

Melt-and-pour soaps don’t need curing, just let them cool and harden for a few hours before use.

To create soap that’s both effective and appealing, you need the right ingredients. Each component determines the final product’s texture, lather, and skin benefits.

Essential Ingredients Required for Soap Making

The first step before making soap is to gather all the necessary ingredients. You’ll need fats or oils, lye, water, fragrances, colourants, and any special additives you want to include in your recipe.

Different oils contribute unique qualities to your final soap. Some oils make your bars harder, while others create a rich lather. For example, olive and coconut oil combine to trigger the chemical reaction that turns these raw ingredients into soap. Meanwhile, moisturising agents like shea butter can help make your soap more nourishing for the skin.

Fats and Oils: The foundation of every soap recipe. Popular choices include coconut oil for a bubbly lather, olive oil for a smooth and moisturising feel, and palm oil for hardness. Each oil brings unique benefits, so experiment with combinations to match your brand’s vision.
Lye (Sodium Hydroxide): The essential ingredient that transforms oils into soap through saponification. Since lye is highly caustic, always handle it carefully and follow safety precautions.
Water: Used to dissolve lye before mixing it with oils. Distilled or spring water is the best choice, as tap water may contain chemicals like chlorine or fluoride, which can interfere with soap-making, causing discoloration or unwanted odours.
Glycerin Base: If you’re using a melt-and-pour method, a bulk glycerin base can be sourced from suppliers like Soap Artisan, Naturally Balmy, Craftiviti, or Etsy.
Stir Sticks: These are available at most grocery stores or craft supply shops and are essential for mixing soap ingredients smoothly.
Rubbing Alcohol: Helps prevent bubbles in your soap mixture. You can find it at pharmacies, dollar stores, or online retailers.
Microwave-Safe Containers: Useful for melting soap bases or mixing ingredients safely. These are available at kitchen supply stores and craft shops.
Fragrances & Essential Oils (Skin-Safe): The scent of your soap is an integral part of branding. Choose from relaxing lavender, refreshing citrus, or earthy eucalyptus to create a signature aroma that matches your product line.
Colourant: Add colour to your soaps using natural options like clays, activated charcoal, or plant-based powders. Synthetic dyes are also available if you prefer a bolder look.
Additives: Enhance your soap with skin-loving ingredients. Oatmeal for exfoliation, aloe vera for soothing effects, and honey for extra moisture are great additions.
Preservatives: If your recipe includes ingredients like milk, fruit purees, or botanical, consider adding a preservative to extend shelf life and prevent spoilage.

Your chosen ingredients will shape your soap brand’s quality, appeal, and overall identity. Whether you focus on eco-friendly, luxury, or all-natural products, consider how each ingredient contributes to your customers’ experience.

Step By Step Guide to Make a Soap

If you’re considering starting a small soap business, learning to make high-quality soap is the first step. Homemade soaps are in demand because they use natural ingredients, offer skin benefits, and can be customized to suit different skin types and preferences.

Making soap for sale requires careful ingredient selection, precise measurements, and understanding the curing process. Let’s review everything you need to know, from gathering materials to packaging your final product.

Step 1: Prepare your Workspace and Tools

Before you start making soap, it’s essential to have a clean, organized, and well-ventilated workspace. Arrange all your tools and ingredients within easy reach to ensure a smooth process. Safety is a top priority, so always wear protective gloves and goggles.

Having the right tools will make soap-making easier and help maintain the safety and consistency of your products. Here’s what you’ll need in your workspace:

Essential Tools for Soap Making

Safety Gear: Always wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety goggles to protect your skin and eyes from lye. Lye is highly corrosive and can cause burns or even blindness if it comes into contact with your eyes.
Digital Scale: Accuracy matters in soap making. A digital scale ensures precise measurements of ingredients for a balanced and effective formula.
Stainless Steel or Heat-Resistant Containers: Use a stainless steel pot to melt your oils and mix them with lye. Alternatively, you can use a heat-resistant glass container (like Pyrex) or specific plastic containers made from high-density polyethene (HDPE) or polypropylene. Avoid aluminium and cheap plastic; they react with lye and may break or melt.
Thermometer: Controlling temperature is crucial when mixing oils and lye. A thermometer helps ensure both solutions are at the right temperature for proper saponification.
Immersion Blender: Speeds up mixing and helps the soap reach “trace” faster, reducing overall processing time.
Silicone Spatulas: Useful for stirring the mixture and scraping out every last bit of soap from the container.
Soap Molds: Available in different shapes and sizes. Silicone moulds are a great choice because they make it easy to remove the soap once it has hardened.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Needed to add fragrances, colourants, and other small ingredients accurately.
pH Test Strips: Essential for checking the pH level of your soap to ensure it’s gentle on the skin.
Cooling Rack: Helps air circulate your soap as it cures, preventing moisture buildup and improving hardness.
Sharp Knife or Multi-Bar Cutter: A straight-edged knife or a multi-bar cutter will help you cut the soap into even, professional-looking bars.

Investing in the right tools is the first step toward making high-quality soap that stands out in the market. The better your equipment, the smoother your process, and the better your final product will be!

Step 2: Get Your Soap Base Ready

The method you use to prepare your soap base depends on the type of soap you’re making. Whether you’re using melt-and-pour, glycerin, or cold-process, each method requires careful handling to ensure a smooth, high-quality final product.

Melt-and-Pour Method: If you use a melt-and-pour soap base, cut it into smaller chunks and place them in a microwave-safe container. Heat in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until the base is fully melted. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler or slow cooker to heat the soap base gently. Once melted, set it aside to cool slightly before adding any extras.
Glycerin Base Method: For a glycerin soap base, follow a similar process. Cut the glycerin into small pieces, place them in a microwave-safe container, and microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between intervals until fully melted.
Cold-Process Method: When making cold-process soap, carefully mix your lye into distilled water until it dissolves completely. Next, melt and mix your chosen oils in a separate container. Let the lye solution and oils cool to around 100–120°F before combining them.

Always pour lye into water, NEVER water into lye. Pouring in the wrong order can cause a dangerous reaction, leading to splattering and heat buildup. Always work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective gear.

Step 4: Stir and Combine with Additives

Once your soap base is ready, it’s time to customize it with fragrances, colours, and other unique ingredients.

Add essential oils to give your soap its unique scent. Popular choices include calming lavender, refreshing citrus, and invigorating peppermint.
Mix in colourants to create visually appealing bars. Natural options like clays, charcoal, or plant-based powders work well.
Stir in additives like oatmeal for exfoliation, aloe vera for soothing properties, or honey for added moisture.

To ensure even distribution, stir the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended. If you’re making cold-process soap, mix until you reach “trace,” which means the soap has thickened to the right consistency.

Pro Tip: Before pouring the soap mixture into molds, lightly spritz them with rubbing alcohol. This helps prevent air bubbles from forming, resulting in smooth, professional-looking bars.

Step 5: Pour Your Soap into Molds and Let It Set

Once your soap mixture is ready, it’s time to pour it into the molds.

Mix in essential oils and additives to enhance the soap’s fragrance and benefits.
Spray the molds with rubbing alcohol to prevent bubbles from forming on the surface.
Gently pour the soap mixture into the molds, ensuring an even distribution.
Tap the molds lightly on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles.

Consider insulating the molds to warm the mixture if you make cold-process soap. This helps the soap go through the saponification process smoothly and prevents cracks from forming due to rapid cooling. Once the soap has hardened, carefully remove it from the molds.

Step 6: Cure Your Homemade Soap

Curing is a necessary step for cold-processing soaps to ensure the best quality.

Curing time: Allow the soap to rest in a dry, well-ventilated space for four to six weeks. Some soap recipes may require a more extended curing period, up to three months.
Why is curing important? During this time, excess moisture evaporates, making the soap harder and longer-lasting. It also improves the soap’s texture, lather, and mildness.

To cure your soap correctly, place the bars on a breathable surface, like a drying rack, and ensure they are spaced apart for good air circulation. This process enhances the fragrance and overall quality of the final product.

Step 7: Unmold and Cut Your Soap into Bars

Once your soap has been set (for melt-and-pour soap) or fully cured (for cold-process soap), it’s time to unmold and cut it into bars.

Gently remove the soap from the molds to avoid damaging its shape.
If using a large block mould, slice the soap into even bars using a soap cutter or sharp knife.

Use a multi-bar cutter to achieve clean, uniform edges for professional-looking results. If desired, smooth the edges of your bars by gently rubbing them with a damp sponge or a fine grater.

Step 8: Package and Label Your Soap

Packaging protects your soap from moisture, dust, and damage while making it more attractive to customers.

Choose your wrapping: Options include eco-friendly paper, shrink wrap, or reusable cloth packaging.

Label your soap with essential details:

Brand Name and Logo: Helps customers recognize your business.
Ingredient List: Essential for transparency and allergy concerns.
Bar Weight and Size: Gives buyers an idea of how much soap they purchase.
Usage Instructions: Helps customers know how to store and use the soap.
Contact Information or Website: Encourages repeat purchases and brand loyalty.

A well-designed package protects your product and makes it more appealing to potential buyers. Whether for a minimalist, rustic, or luxury look, your packaging is part of your brand identity.

Conclusion

Soap-making is a satisfying and creative process. Whether you prefer the melt and pour method for simplicity or the cold process method for complete control, making your soap allows you to customize ingredients and create unique scents and designs.

If you’re looking for high-quality soap-making supplies, check out V Candle Supplies. They offer a wide range of soap bases, fragrances, and molds to help you create beautiful, handcrafted soaps.

Now that you know how to make soap at home from scratch, it’s time to get creative and experiment with your soap recipes! Happy soap-making!