How to Make Decoupage Soap

Create decorative soaps with a few simple steps.

Decoupage soaps can be welcoming decorations in a guest bathroom or personalized features for a gift basket. Decoupage soaps are distinctive; send one to camp with your child so that she will always know which soap is hers. You can make decoupage soaps using pressed flowers, photos or images cut from a magazine. Decoupaging requires a bit of patience, but the process is straightforward enough to make creating decorative soaps a craft project you can enjoy with your kids.

Things You'll Need

• Bar of soap
• Decoupage medium
• Paint sponges
• Toothpick
• Pressed flowers/paper cutouts/photos
• Brayer/dowel

Instructions

1. Cover the top of a plain bar of soap with one thin coat of decoupage medium using a paint sponge. Decoupage medium is both glue and sealer and is available in a matte or glossy finish. The material goes on white, but dries clear. If bubbles appear in the decoupage glue, pop them with a toothpick.

2. Allow the first coat of decoupage medium to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions. Dry times are typically between 15 and 30 minutes.

3. Apply two more thin coats of decoupage medium to the top of the soap bar. Allow the glue to dry completely between coats. These three coats of decoupage glue will seal the soap in preparation for the decorations.

4. Apply another thin layer of decoupage medium on top of the soap bar. Lay the pressed flower, paper cutout or photo on top of the glue.

5. Press the decoration into the glue from the center outward using a brayer, dowel or your fingers. Make sure to straighten any wrinkles in the paper and pop air bubbles as they appear.

6. Smooth the displaced decoupage medium uniformly over the top of the decoration and the soap with a paint sponge. Allow the glue to dry completely.

7. Apply at least five additional thin layers of decoupage medium over the top of the soap. Make sure that the glue dries completely between coats. The more layers of decoupage glue that you use, the longer the image will stay on the soap.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're planning on using your soap for more than decoration, make sure to wash with the side of the soap not decorated. This will preserve your work as long as possible.

References

• Making Friends: Decorated Soap

Resources

• Craft Bits: Decoupage Soaps