Making Soap
   
Power Points
  Supplies:
  • How to Make Soap - this is the power point I use in class to teach the students how to make soap.
  • More on Soap - Here's another power point that has additional information you might need.
  Here is a basic supply list, and where to get the items. You can find most of them in craft stores like Roberts, BUT it's much cheaper to buy it online. If you are only planning on making a few bars, go to a craft store. But if you are doing a project, its worth going online.
  Paper Cups - Make sure you buy paper cups, not plastic, as you will be putting them in the mircowave. You can also use a regular glass, but I use cups because I can throw them away and it lessens the mess. Also, you might want to get some popsicle sticks, to stir the soap with. I just get these at Wal-Mart in the craft section. If you have any questions not answered on this page, please contact me at megan.rees@jordan.k12.ut.us
  Soap Base - I usually buy this from www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com. The direct link is here. Start with 2-10 lbs, depending on how much you want to make. When I get it, I cut it into smaller squares, as shown, to make it more easy to work with. It melts better in small chunks than in one large chunk.
  Liquid Dyes - I get these at www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com. The direct link is here. There are many types of dyes, but liquids are the easiest. Just order one or two colors. You can also make fabulous soaps without having any dyes at all, so if you want to save on the expense, leave them out!  
 

Scents - And here we are at the most addicting part of soap making. There are may great websites that have hundreds of scents to choose from. They are MUCH cheaper online than in a craft store, ranging from $3.00 - $6.00. Start by ordering a few scents that you are intersted in. You may want to buy a plastic dropper, which makes it easier to get 2 ml of liquid.

Here are some websites that I use:

  • www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com I use this one the most. They have GREAT knock-off scents from Victoria Secret and Bath & Body works. They also have very helpful reviews from people who have ordered the scents, so you know you are getting something good. On the other hand, you can only order 2 oz. bottles from them, which is a lot. Not good when you order a scent you don't like too much. All the other companies let you order in 1 oz. bottles. However, you get more for your money, paying the same for 2 oz that you would pay for 1 oz on other sites.
  • http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/ This site has a lot of great scents, and their prices are very reasonable. I've just discovered them, and use them quite a bit.
  • http://www.pinemeadows.net - I've never actually ordered from this company, though I know others who have. I keep meaning to. They are based in Provo, Utah, so it's great if you want to order from a local company and save on shipping.
  • http://www.sweetcakes.com - This company has scents I haven't seen anywhere else. Their prices are average, but they have some unique stuff. Unfortunately you have to spend a minimum of $25.00, which is why I still haven't ordered from them.
  • http://tradewindsfragrance.com/ - I plan to order from this company next. I have heard from customers of theirs that their scents are the best. They are about $4.00 for 2 oz., which is pretty reasonable--you cannot buy them in 1 oz.
  
  Molds - There are all sorts of things you can do with molds. You can go cheap and use molds that you find around the house--make sure you pick things that are maleable so it's easy to "pop" the soaps. I've been very successful using the silicon cupcake molds you can get now. If you want to buy them, any of the soap websites listed have them. I like to use clamshell molds, which are not that expensive though hard to find. The only website that carries them is wholesale supplies. Here's the direct link.You can get them oval, square, a hinged one that can be sliced into several soaps. They are only .50 a peice! But you can only use them about 2-5 times before they are too thrashed to use again. You can also make soap in a large plastic tupperware, and then when you pop it, you can slice it into several slices. That's the easiest, cheapest way to make lots of soaps!  
  Inserts - As you will see in the power point, there are many, many different things you can use for inserts in your soap. Some of them are simple, while others take a lot more time. I like to use soap inserts, but that is what can be so time consuming! If you want to go simple, you can use pictures--anything you want to print or write, then just laminate it with packaging tape, making sure both sides are completely covered and the edges are sealed. You can also put in toys, like dice, coins, etc--things that are suspended in the soap and then you get back when the soap is used. For the soap inserts, I buy white soap from wholesalesupplies, then cut it into pieces. I melt down sections, dye it, and then pour it onto cookie sheets and let them dry. Then i pull them up, and cut them into slices. These slices are great for using cookie cutters on, to get the shapes you want. I get the mini cookie cutters from craft stores and online. The power point provided shows how this is done. I also like to use sparkles and mica in my soaps--these can be more difficult to find. Sparkles especially--you just need microfine sparkles that you can get in the craft store, but they can be hard to find. For directions on how to make soap inserts, see the power point provided.