How to Make Soap Dye

Make your own soap from ground botanicals and powder.

Making your own soap is a fun process. It's a great way to save yourself money or give someone special a genuine gift from the heart. If you'd like to make your own soap all the way down to the dye used to color the soap, you can take make a run to your local herb store or you could grab some flower, leaves or herbs from your garden, dry them out and use them as soap dye.

Things You'll Need

• 4 tsp. dandelion leaf (green)
• 4 tsp. ground cloves (black/brown)
• 1 cup linseed oil
• 4 tsp. paprika (pink)
• 4 tsp. sandalwood powder (red)
• 4 tsp. turmeric (yellow)
• Crock pot

Instructions

1. Pour your oil into a crock pot and heat until the oil boils.

2. Add your dried flower, herb or botanical powder to the oil and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for an hour.

3. Strain out any particles or leave them in for a decorative soap design. Pour your oil into your soap mixture and continue making your soap.

References

• Soap-making Resource: Natural Colorants in Soap Making
• The Artist's Golden Nectar, Linseed Oil: In Oil Paints