How to Make a Homemade Soap Bar

Use glycerin soap squares to make a homemade soap bar.

Making your own soap is not as hard as it was when Grandma used to do it. If you have a microwave and the right ingredients, you can make your own soap in no time. And once you have the basics down, you'll be able to experiment and come up with your own favorite scents and designs. Homemade soaps make wonderful gifts.

Things You'll Need

• Large measuring cup with a spout, or heat-resistant bowl
• Metal whisk
• Cutting board
• Glycerin soap squares
• Soap molds
• Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle
• Paper towels
• Notebook
• Sharp knife
• Essential oil, soap-safe dye (optional)

Instructions

1. Purchase your supplies. Your local hobby or craft store, such as Hobby Lobby, will have soap molds and glycerin soap squares. If desired, also purchase an essential oil, such as lavender, and soap-safe dye.

2. Prepare your work area by gathering the supplies. Place a paper towel near the work area on which to set your whisk. Cut the glycerin squares into smaller pieces on the cutting board, and place them in the measuring cup. One 2-pound package of glycerin squares will make about eight soap bars.

   Microwave the glycerin squares on high in one-minute increments until melted. Stir after each increment. If you prefer, use a double boiler instead of a microwave.

3. Add essential oil and dye. Use .4 oz. of essential oil for each pound of soap. Color your soap by using as much dye as desired. Stir thoroughly but gently. If bubbles appear, spritz lightly with rubbing alcohol.

4. Slowly pour the soap base into the molds. Spritz once again with rubbing alcohol to remove bubbles. Set on a counter to cool and harden overnight, or in the refrigerator for one hour if the soap is needed sooner.

5. Gently tap the back of the soap mold with the palm of your hand or a spoon to remove the soap. If some of the soap bars are stuck, run warm water over the back of the mold.

Tips & Warnings

• Jot down notes from this recipe to keep track of any changes made, such as the amount of essential oil used or the melting time of the glycerin squares.

• Cleanup is easy--this is soap, after all. Just wash your utensils and molds in warm water and set aside to dry.

• Be careful not to burn yourself with the melted soap. The soap base reaches a temperature of 155 degrees when melted.

References

• Teach Soap.com: Easy Soap Making Recipes

Resources

• Hobby Lobby: Soap supplies