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How to easily make homemade soap that smells (and looks) good

Maryal Miller Carter   Paste BN
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In a world filled with commercial soap products made of a seemingly endless list of unidentifiable ingredients, there's something uniquely satisfying about making your own soap at home. What’s more, crafting your own soap has never been easier or more fun. 

Not only is the process fool-proof for even the most novice DIY enthusiast, but it also allows you to tailor each bar to your preferences, making it a unique, personalized gift for friends and loved ones or the perfect little luxury to add to your daily routine. Enjoy the process, experiment with different shapes, scents and textures, and you might be surprised how rewarding and relaxing it can be. Here’s how to make homemade scented, moisturizing soap in just a few simple steps.

Watch the video above to learn how to make homemade scented soap.

How to make homemade scented soap

Supplies:

  • Ready-to-pour soap base (Shea butter, Goat's Milk or your preferred variant)
  • Microwave-safe container
  • Soap molds
  • Essential oils of choice
  • Optional: Oatmeal for a moisturizing touch
  • Optional: Food coloring (if desired)
  • Gift wrap supplies: Wax paper, baker's twine, rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks 

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Instructions:

  • Making soap at home is made infinitely easier by using a convenient "ready to pour" soap base like Shea butter or Goat's Milk. This can be found at your local craft store or online.
  • Cut your chosen soap base block into cubes. This ensures even melting and a smoother process.
  • Place the soap cubes in a microwave-safe container.
  • Melt the soap in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until fully melted.
  • Enhance your soap with fragrance by adding essential oils.
  • As a rule of thumb, use 2 to 3 teaspoons of essential oils for every pound of soap. Be cautious with oils like peppermint, which can irritate the skin (use 2 teaspoons per pound of soap base if using peppermint).
  • If desired, add a touch of food coloring for visual appeal.
  • For a natural and moisturizing option, consider adding lightly pulsed oatmeal. Simply pulse the raw oats in the food processor and stir into wax mixture until incorporated.
  • Once your soap base is enriched with oils and any optional ingredients, pour the mixture into your chosen molds.
  • Allow the soap to harden completely. This typically takes a few hours, depending on the size and depth of your molds.
  • Once the soap is hard, carefully remove from molds.
  • Elevate the presentation of your homemade soap by gift-wrapping it. Use wax paper to wrap the soap, secure it with baker's twine and embellish with a sprig of rosemary and/or a cinnamon stick for a rustic, wintery charm.

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