There's a special kind of satisfaction that comes from creating something with your own hands, especially when it's as functional and beautiful as homemade soap.
If you're already in the business of selling candles, diversifying your product line with handmade soaps is a natural step. The processes share similarities: both involve melting and pouring, scenting and personalising to showcase your creative flair. Plus, there's an undeniable joy in the alchemy of soap making—transforming simple ingredients into something that cleanses, comforts and delights.
If you’re already sold on the idea, we’ve rounded up 17 melt and pour soapideas below so you can get stuck in. And if you’re hesitant to hang up your candle-crafting hat to switch to soap-making, we can assure you that it's easier than you think and the results are as rewarding as they are fragrant!
How to make handmade soaps
Creating your own homemade soap is a blend of science and creativity. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or new to the game, the process is straightforward and enjoyable. Here's a detailed walkthrough:
- Select your base: Begin with a high-quality melt and pour soap base. The white SLS free base is perfect for bright colours and bold designs, while the clear SLS free base is ideal for embedding objects or creating a stained-glass look. For those with sensitive skin, the goat's milk base provides a creamy and soothing alternative with added moisturising benefits.
- Melt it down: Cut your base into small chunks to ensure even melting. Use a microwave in short bursts or a double boiler on low heat to melt the base gently to a smooth, liquid consistency. Stir occasionally to help even out the heat distribution.
- Add some colour: If you're aiming for a pop of colour, now's the time to get creative. Mix in colourants slowly, starting with a few drops and increasing until you reach the desired shade. Remember, a little goes a long way! Stir well to avoid any streaks or blobs.
- Stir in a scent of your choice: Scent transforms your soap from a simple cleanser to a luxurious experience. Add a few drops of your chosen fragrance oils, but be mindful of the recommended usage rates—too much can be overpowering and may affect the soap's texture.
- Pour into moulds: With a steady hand, pour your molten soap into moulds. You can go traditional with bar shapes or get playful with thematic moulds that match the scent and colour you’ve chosen. Tap the moulds gently on your work surface to release any air bubbles.
- Customise to your heart’s content: This is where the fun really begins. Sprinkle in dried herbs, flower petals or glitter for a decorative touch. For a scrubby texture, consider adding exfoliants like ground coffee or poppy seeds. Want to make bath time fun for kids? Embed small waterproof toys into the clear base.
- Let it set: Patience is key; let your masterpiece cool and solidify. This could take several hours, but you can speed up the process by placing the moulds in the refrigerator. Just ensure they’re set completely to maintain shape and detail.
- Unmould and enjoy: Gently release your soaps from the moulds. If they resist, place them in the freezer for a short time to contract the soap slightly for easier removal. Now, your soap is ready for personal use, to be gifted or sold. Wrap them up in attractive packaging to add that professional touch or to make them gift-ready.
Wondering what supplies are needed? You can create your own soap-making kit with this handy guide.
17 Melt and Pour SoapIdeas
Now that we've got the basics down, it's time to get inspired. Here, we’re going to explore a variety of scent-sational soap ideas that cater to all sorts of preferences and occasions. Whether you're looking to invigorate your mornings, unwind at night, or find the perfect gift, there's a soapidea here for you:
Clean 'n’ Classic Soap Bar
Combine the airy freshness of linen fragrance oil with a lush foaming bath butter base to create a quintessential soap. Its rich lather offers that unbeatable squeaky-clean sensation. For a final touch, package it in minimalist wrapping to emphasise its simplistic charm.
Soothing Lavender Soap Bar
The perfect soap for your wind-down routine? One that’s infused with dreamy lavender! Infuse your soap with calming lavender fragrance oil and swirl in a serene purple colourant into a gentle base. This bar is perfect for relaxation and makes for a beautiful gift when wrapped in simple, elegant paper and twine.
Honey & Oatmeal Goat’s Milk Soap
If you want to craft a soap to aid sensitive skin sufferers, this one’s for you. Drizzle raw honey and sprinkle fine oatmeal into a velvety goat's milk soap base for a bar that's a hug for the skin. Shaped in a honeycomb mould, it’s a sweet retreat wrapped in cosy, rustic paper that whispers of homemade love.
Eucalyptus Spa-Inspired Soap
Dreaming of a lavish spa retreat? Here’s an idea for you that’s easier on the wallet: Splash in some eucalyptus fragrance oil to whip up a soap that's your shower's answer to a deep breath of fresh air. Wrap this clear, zingy bar with a simple string and a sprig of eucalyptus.
Activated Charcoal Face Soap
We bet you hadn’t considered a facial soap bar until now! Mix up a storm with activated charcoal in our white SLS free base for a face soap that's on a mission to banish blemishes. Slip it into a no-fuss box that says, 'I mean business,' but in a friendly, 'let's grab a coffee' kind of way.
Morning Scrub Coffee Soap
Speaking of coffee… Yep, you read that right—your favourite morning brew in soap form! Stir in finely ground coffee granules for an exfoliating kick that says 'good morning' louder than your alarm clock. With its rich espresso aroma and invigorating scrub, tuck this bar into a burlap wrap for that fresh-from-the-roastery feel.
Boutique Orange Blossom Soap
Want your homemade soap to be a guaranteed crowd-pleaser? Infuse a touch of luxury with an orange blossom fragrance oil reminiscent of one of Jo Malone's signature scents. Embellish it with dried orange slices tied to it with brown string to create a boutique bar that looks and smells like posh pampering.
Pretty Pressed Flower Soap
Set vibrant pressed flowers into a crystal-clear SLS free base, paired with a whisper of floral fragrance for a bar that's a garden party for your hands. Unique as a fingerprint and pretty as a picture, each soap deserves to be showcased in clear packaging that lets its natural beauty shine.
Cosy Pumpkin Spice Soap
If you’re pumpkin spice obsessed like us, why stop at candles?! Swirl in the cosy aroma of pumpkin spice and a dash of orange dye to capture the essence of the cosy season in a bar. Adorn with cinnamon stick accents and wrap in parchment tied with a cinnamon stick for that perfect autumnal touch.
Magical Christmas Soap
And while we’re on the topic of seasonal scents, we can't overlook the most wonderful time of the year! Blend Christmas fragrance oils with a sprinkle of sparkle to bring the joy of the holidays to your soap dish. Package them in merry and bright paper, complete with a bow, ready to be gifted as stocking stuffers.
Carved Crystal Soap
The beauty of clear soap bases is you can craft whimsical creations with them. Carve out a niche with soaps shaped into carved crystals. These enchanting bars are perfect as a gift or a statement piece in your bathroom and can be nestled in velvet pouches to heighten the magical vibe.
Coastal Retreat Soap
Let each shower whisk you away to the coast where the wood sage and sea salt notes mingle like a fresh sea breeze. It's your own little escape wrapped in blues and beiges, giving off those 'just-stepped-off-the-sand' vibes with every sudsy getaway.
Gentleman’s Soap
When marketing self-care goodies, many brands fail to include men in their target audience. Set yours apart with a rugged gentleman’s soap that combines earthy tones of vetiver, cedarwood and fir. With its robust scent and rustic charm, this masculine bar can be slipped into a leather-look wrap.
Fun & Fruity Soap
Why not whip up an energising soap bar, bursting with brilliant colours and a co*cktail of fruity scents? This soap recipe is inspired by LUSH’s vibrant selection but the final product is even better—because it’s homemade by you! It's a slice of summer for the senses and it brings a colourful lift to your soap collection.
Creamy Coconut Soap
Coconut fragrance oil + goats milk soap base = creamy, dreamy delight! Create an exotic coconut lime bar and let it carry you straight to the tropics. With a scent that’s all sun and no stress, it’s a vacation in your bathroom. Beachy keen and palm-tree pretty, it’s a ticket to paradise without the airfare.
Poppy Seed Soap
Perfect for the eco-savvy individual looking to add sustainable suds into their self-care rituals. Mix up a soap recipe that’s studded with natural poppy seeds for a gentle, earth-friendly exfoliation. Adding a vibrant yellow shade and an uplifting aroma to bring a burst of cheerfulness to your product line.
Epsom Salt Soap
After a long day, this therapeutic soap bar serves as a personal masseuse. Packed with Epsom salts for tired muscles and a scent that says 'relax', it's like a spa session in your shower. Wrap it up in a cosy, fluffy towel-inspired paper to complete the self-care aesthetic.
Some final soap-making advice…
And there you have it—a diverse variety of melt and pour soap recipes that are as enjoyable to make as they are to use. Each one offers a unique blend of scents and sensations, promising a little slice of handmade happiness. Now you’re ready to indulge in the craft, gift a loved one or perhaps expand your product line (and if that’s the case, don’t miss our how to sell homemade soap guide).
Remember, the heart of these creations lies in the personal touch you bring to them. The colours, scents and shapes are all yours to play with, turning each bar into a personal statement or a signature product.
