Handmade Rosemary + Mint Soap
In the past year and a half, I’ve started replacing some of my home products with homemade, more natural ones. And I’ve loved it! I now only use my homemade foaming hand soap, lip balm, sugar scrub and bath salts. Now, I’m branching out into bar soaps and will soon try some shower gel!
My first try at homemade soap went really well. It’s SO super simple, you’ll see. Only 3 ingredients! How can you mess that up? Well, you kind of can, but I’ll give you a tip or two that I learned. I can’t wait to try some more fragrance combinations, too!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. See my full disclosure policy.
Ingredients you’ll need:
- 1 pound of soap base
- 3 Tablespoons of raw honey, optional
- 10 drops of Rosemary essential oil
- 10 drops of Peppermint essential oil
- Microwaveable bowl or double boiler – (I use my 4 c. Pyrex glass measuring cup)
- Soap molds – (I used these. And they tend to run out of stock the closer you get to Christmas, so snag them up if you want them.)
How to Make Soap
Watch out, because you’re going to be blown away how easy this is.
- Cut the soap base up into small chunks. It’s super easy to cut up, just need a simple butter knife.
- Melt in the microwave in 20-30 second intervals, stirring after each time. This will keep you from burning the soap and making sure it’s melted evenly.
- Remove from microwave and immediately stir in the honey. Make sure it’s thoroughly melted. If it doesn’t melt completely, pop it back in the microwave for another 10 seconds.Be sure that it’s stirred in completely. Some of mine was still in clumps at the bottom and it went to the bottom of the soap mold. So, I had sticky honey on top of one of my soaps. 🙂
- Add your essential oils. You can use any combination of oils, but make sure that they are really high quality, therapeutic grade oils. Stir in completely.
- Pour soap into molds and let sit until hardened. I stuck mine in the refrigerator and it took about 30 minutes for them to cool and harden up. But it could take as long as 2 hours, so make sure it’s completely solid before removing from the mold. I carefully slid a knife between the soap and the mold and they popped out easily.Tip: don’t spray Pam spray in the mold thinking it will help the soap come out easier. It just messes up the soap. They come out fine on their own.
Boom! That’s it! You now have pretty soap to give as gifts or keep for yourself.
I’m becoming obsessed with making homemade products. I think a lot of people in my life with be getting handmade gifts this year for Christmas! 🙂
Browse all the supplies you’ll need to make your own handmade gifts at home!
More Posts You Will Love:
Do you use fresh rosemary and mint as a “Topper” once the soap base is in the mold to add color and make more present table ?
What do you use to package your soaps for gifts and storage once they are made? Just made some and I love them… and they are so easy to make!
Hey Char! I’ve used just a cellophane bag with a cute string and gift tag. Super inexpensive and cute. I’ve also heard of people putting them in pretty tins, if you want something more substantial. 😀
What do you recommend for adding color to your soap?
Hey Taija, I would use these (affiliate link): http://amzn.to/1XyNDeD
Lovely soaps! There are many suppliers that sell a much better, and more skin friendly, base than the one shown on Amazon. The one in Amazon I have seen in craft stores and it’s not the most cost efficient. Try Wholesale Supplies Plus, Nature’s Garden or Brambleberry. Happy soaping!
How many does this make? I ordered molds but there are only 3. So how much base/oil for a batch of three?
Hey Candace, 4 oz. of soap base will make a 4 oz. bar of soap. So if your molds hold 4 oz., then use 12 oz. 😀
Can you make a smaller mold and then place it in your bigger mold to get a bar like you have?
This is awesome indeed, some I’m pinning it! 🙂
Have a lovely day,
Diana