DIY Scented Soap Bars

by Jessica Ellingsworth of Mayvn, Contributing Author

A recent school family project assignment had my daughters and I wondering what to conquer. “Let’s make soap!” one of them suggested. What?! Jessica here, and after a little research I have a fun and easy Spring project to whip up with kids that is also great for end-of-the-year or Mother’s Day/Father’s Day gifts.

One of the first obstacles I found when researching soap-making with kids is the process of mixing oils with lye, a caustic substance. Even though there is no lye in the final product (if ingredient ratios are correct, digital scale required!), there is still the saponification process that has potential hazards when rookie moms and small hands are involved. Who knew I had two little aspiring chemists on my hands?!

Taking their ages and my inexperience into account, I found and purchased blocks of raw soap bases that have already been through this process for me, leaving the fun part of melting, scenting, and pretty packaging to us. Another pro for doing a melt and pour: there is no ‘curing time’, so soap is ready immediately after cooling–a win for kids! All three of my kids really enjoyed the process and love knowing they made something so useful. My husband and son even made a “manly” soap.

Depending on the costs of your chosen essential oils, I estimate a small bar of natural homemade melt and pour soap costs around $1.50.

Without further adieu, here is the 7-step process for making DIY Scented Soap Bars:

1. Assemble tools and ingredients. You’ll need:

• glass measuring cups
• sharp knife
• a pot
• soap molds (plastic or silicone work best so there is ‘room to give’.) I even used a clover cupcake mold I had stashed away and found an inexpensive soap mold at Michael’s craft store.
• bars of soap bases–I purchased organic coconut oil bases at Bulk Apothecary, but they can be found a number of places.
• essential oils and droppers–You can pretty much fragrance with anything you can dream of. For our maiden voyage in soap-making, we settled on batches of Rose Oatmeal, Sweet Orange and Eucalyptus.
• Finely ground nuts, oatmeal and herbs for texture (optional). Chopped herbs like lavender are beautiful for Spring.
• a small amount of rubbing alcohol in a small spray/spritz bottle
• craft paper, tags and pretty ribbon if gift-giving.

2. Cut blocks into cubes. Heat slowly in a pot over low heat until melted.

3. Take off of the heat and add fragrance, colors and/or textures, to your preference. Natural soap colorants made with mica can also be purchased. Pro tip for fragrance: 5 grams of essential oil per pound of soap.

4. Pour into molds.

5. Spritz lightly with rubbing alcohol to dissipate bubbles.

6. Let soap firm up in the molds for 2-4 hours. The soap will be firm to the touch and easily release from the sides of the mold.

7. They are now ready for use, or package in paper and pretty ribbons for fragrant gift-giving.

Happy Spring!

About the Author

Jessica is a freelance writer, stylist, and recipe developer. She lives in Austin with her husband, two daughters, and son. She loves makeup artistry, interiors, travel, being in the kitchen with her kids, creative living, and exploring the streets of Austin for inspiration and the best food dives. She blogs at Mavyn.