Soap making from scratch is a fantastic way to expand your product line or offer something unique to your customers. Unlike pre-made soap bases, making soap from scratch lets you control every ingredient, ensuring your products align with customer preferences and values. Whether your focus is on natural, sustainable products or creating something fun and colourful, handmade soap has a wide appeal.

With soap making from scratch, you can create bars that fit your brand’s style, meet your customers’ needs, and stand out in the market. Plus, it’s easier than you might think! 

This guide will show you exactly how to make soap from scratch step by step, with tips to personalize your soaps and make them a hit.

What You’ll Need to Make Soap from Scratch

You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to make soap from scratch. A few key ingredients and tools are all it takes to create professional-quality bars.

Basic Ingredients

1. Lye (Sodium Hydroxide): Essential for the saponification process (turning oils into soap).
2. Distilled Water: Prevents impurities that could interfere with your soap.
3. Oils and Butters: These form the base of your soap:
• Coconut Oil: Adds bubbles and makes a firm bar.
• Olive Oil: Gentle and moisturizing.
• Shea Butter: Adds a rich, creamy texture.

Optional Add-Ins for Personalization

• Fragrance or Essential Oils: Add lavender for a relaxing soap, citrus for a refreshing bar, or eucalyptus for a spa feel.
• Natural Colours: Use turmeric for yellow, activated charcoal for black, or pink clay for soft pastel tones.
• Exfoliants and Textures: Try coffee grounds, oats, or poppy seeds for a gentle scrub.
• Dried Botanicals: Rose petals or chamomile add a decorative and natural touch.

Tools You’ll Need

1. Digital Scale: Accurate measurements are important for making soap from scratch.
2. Heat-Resistant Containers: Use glass or stainless steel bowls.
3. Soap Molds: Silicone molds make it easy to create custom shapes.
4. Stick Blender: Speeds up mixing and ensures your soap batter is smooth.
5. Thermometer: Helps you keep your lye and oils at the right temperature.
6. Protective Gear: Gloves, goggles, and an apron to handle lye safely.

Tip: Keep your soap-making tools separate from your cooking supplies to avoid contamination.

Step-by-Step Guide: Soap Making from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

• Work in a well-ventilated area to handle lye safely.
• Cover your countertops with newspaper or a plastic sheet to protect them from spills.
• Wear gloves, goggles, and an apron to keep yourself safe.

Step 2: Measure Your Ingredients

Use a digital scale to measure the following:

• Oils and Butters: For a beginner recipe, use:
• 300g Coconut Oil
• 300g Olive Oil
• 100g Shea Butter
• Lye and Water: Use a soap calculator (like SoapCalc) to determine the right amounts of lye and water for your recipe.

Step 3: Mix Lye and Water

• Slowly sprinkle lye into distilled water while stirring. (Never add water to lye—it’s dangerous.)
• The mixture will heat up quickly. Let it cool to about 37–43°C.

Safety Tip: Work near an open window or fan to avoid breathing in fumes.

Step 4: Melt the Oils

• Combine the coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter in a heat-safe container.
• Melt them gently using a microwave or double boiler. Let the mixture cool to the same temperature as your lye solution.

Step 5: Mix the Lye Solution and Oils

• Slowly pour the lye solution into the melted oils.
• Use a stick blender in short bursts to mix. Stop when the batter thickens to "trace," which looks like a pudding-like texture.

Step 6: Add Personal Touches

• Stir in your chosen fragrances, colourants, and textures.
• Example: Add lavender essential oil, purple mica powder, and dried lavender buds for a calming floral soap.

Step 7: Pour Into Molds

• Carefully pour the soap batter into molds.
• Tap the molds gently on the counter to remove air bubbles and smooth the surface.

Step 8: Let It Set

• Cover the molds with wax paper and wrap them in a towel to retain heat.
• Leave the soap to harden for 24–48 hours.

Step 9: Slice and Cure

• Unmold your soap and cut it into bars using a knife or soap cutter.
• Lay the bars on a drying rack in a cool, ventilated area. Allow them to cure for 4–6 weeks to ensure they harden fully and are safe to use.

How to Make Your Soaps Stand Out

Handmade soaps can be much more than simple bars. Here are some ideas to help your soaps stand out:

1. Custom Designs:

• Fragrances that Speak to Emotions:
• Floral scents (lavender, rose): Perfect for stress relief.
• Citrus (lemon, grapefruit): Energizing and fresh.
• Warm scents (vanilla, cinnamon): Great for cozy, comforting vibes.
• Colours That Captivate:
• Match your soap to the season! Pastel tones for spring, bold tropical shades for summer, and muted earthy tones for fall and winter.
• Use natural colourants like turmeric for yellow, activated charcoal for black, or pink clay for soft blush.
• Textures and Additives:
• Exfoliating elements like oatmeal or coffee grounds.
• Dried flowers like chamomile or calendula for a delicate, artistic touch.
• Fun embeds: Small soap pieces, glitter (biodegradable), or even pressed herbs to give your bars a signature look.

2. Cater to Specific Audiences:
• Wellness experts will love detox bars with activated charcoal and tea tree oil.
• Kids enjoy colourful, fruity-scented soaps in fun shapes like animals or stars.
• Elegant designs with floral scents and dried petals make perfect gifts.
3. Upgrade Packaging:
• Wrap soaps in kraft paper or reusable fabric wraps for a rustic, eco-friendly vibe.
• Add custom labels with your logo and product details to create a polished look.

Why Soap Making from Scratch Is a Smart Choice

Making soap from scratch lets you create something truly unique. Customers value the care and creativity behind handmade products, and soaps that reflect your personal touch can become a signature item in your business. Whether it’s eye-catching designs, natural ingredients, or thoughtful packaging, soap making offers endless ways to connect with your audience.

Business Tips for Selling Handmade Soaps

Here are some tips to get started:

1. Create a Niche: Focus on a unique selling point like vegan, organic, or hypoallergenic soaps.
2. Start Small: Test your products with family and friends to gather feedback.
3. Sell Online: Platforms like Etsy or a simple website make it easy to reach customers.
4. Attend Markets: Farmers' markets or craft fairs are great for building local recognition.
5. Offer Samples: Small bars or sample kits encourage customers to try before committing to larger purchases.

Best-Selling Soap Ideas to Inspire You

Here are some of the most popular soap styles right now:

1. Detox Bars: Activated charcoal and tea tree oil for a sleek, modern look and skin-clearing benefits.
2. Floral Artisan Soaps: Elegant bars with dried lavender, rose petals, or calendula embedded on top. Perfect for gifts!
3. Exfoliating Coffee Bars: A hit with eco-conscious customers, using coffee grounds for texture and a rich, energizing scent.
4. Themed Soaps: Seasonal scents like peppermint for winter or tropical coconut for summer.
5. Swirled or Layered Soaps: Eye-catching designs with marbled colours or layered gradients.

Start Your Soap-Making Journey with Village Craft & Candle

To make high-quality soap from scratch, you need the right supplies. Village Craft & Candle has everything you need, from tools and molds to inspiration for your next creation.

Whether you’re starting a new creation or adding to your existing product line, Village Craft & Candle makes it easy to create soaps that your customers will love. Get started today and discover how soap making from scratch can level-up your business!