The easiest homemade soap recipe using a delightful shea butter melt and pour soap base. Melt and pour soap takes away the worry of mixing the lye and it requires no special equipment. This soap bar recipe is fully customizable, so you can make it just the way you like it!
HOMEMADE SOAP RECIPE
Melt and pour soaps are a great way to ease into soap making. The bars can still be fully customized with your choice of color and scent, while the critical step of measuring out the lye is already taken care of.
To be honest, the idea of soap making always overwhelmed me. When I discovered melt and pour soap bases, I decided I could make my own soap that looks beautiful, smells even more beautiful, and it is so easy anyone can do it!
With a home business and little kids, this mama will have to be satisfied with a melt and pour soap base recipe for now.
PIN IT FOR LATER
LYE FOR SOAP MAKING
Lye is needed to make soap bars and is the ingredient that steered so many people and me away for so long. You need to take precautions when using it, and you have to be sure it is handled properly.
When using lye, proper protection must be taken, including wearing a mask and gloves because it is very dangerous to breathe in and can burn the skin.
However, if used correctly, it doesn’t have to be scary, and it can be used to make a natural, healthy soap bar. The “during” process, if not handled properly, can be dangerous, but the “after” is completely safe and can be used to make soap for the most sensitive skin.
To make soap, lye is used to emulsify the oils and lye water, which is called “coming to trace.” Lye is needed to make the oils turn into soap and is required to make any soap bars.
A melt and pour soap base eliminates the dirty work as well as cuts out a couple of steps in the process.
BEST SOAP BASE FOR HOMEMADE SOAP RECIPE
When looking for a soap base, you will see that there are several different options. Are you surprised? The world of online shopping has opened up endless possibilities and options for anything we buy, even a soap base.
I will list several options below that you can try. I personally have used the shea butter and glycerin organic melt and pour bases.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
As you can see, there are lots of options when choosing a soap base. All of them will work similarly, and the recipe will remain the same. Should you have any skin sensitivity, allergies, or prefer a vegan option, you can choose your base accordingly.
BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HOMEMADE SOAP RECIPE
Adding essential oils is the best part and can really customize your soap. For example, using lavender and chamomile will make a nice gentle and calming soap bar or foaming hand soap. Or use peppermint and eucalyptus for a cooling soap with soothing properties.
Just like the soap base, the possibilities are endless. You can choose a single essential oil or blend a few together. Depending on how much you make at a time will determine the number of drops you will need to add.
Let your nose be the judge; if you like it stronger, add more, and vice versa. Remember, I am keeping this simple, folks!
Cut the shea butter soap base into small chunks and place them into a double boiler.
Melt over medium heat. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
Remove from heat when it is completely melted.
Add in orange zest and essential oils.
Pour into a soap mold.
Allow it to completely harden and then pop the soap out of the mold.
OTHER ADD IN’S TO TRY
Dried flowers, oatmeal, and even coffee grinds can make wonderful additions to homemade soap bars. These can even make the soap exfoliating!
Coffee
You can use whole coffee beans or ground coffee in soap making. Whole beans are best for decorations and can be pressed into the top before the soap is fully hardened. Or you can add in 1 teaspoon of used coffee grinds for exfoliation.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has so many great benefits for the skin and can help with many skin irritations. You can use quick oats, colloidal oatmeal, or powder oatmeal. In addition, you can make your own powder oatmeal by blending oatmeal in a high-speed blender as I do with my honey oatmeal soap bars.
Dried Flowers
My favorite dried flowers to use are calendulas because I think they look so pretty in the soap! You can also use rose petals, lavender buds, or other greenery.
Zest
Fruit zest is another excellent ingredient to add to your homemade soap. I prefer to use a fine grader to make fine zest to add to my soap. This adds to exfoliation and a lovely scent. Fruit zest is also used in my Christmas soap recipe.
HOW LONG DOES HOMEMADE SOAP LAST?
Homemade soap with a melt and pour soap base will last at least 12 months.
HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE SOAP?
If you make a lot at one time, you can store the soap bars in a covered container with a little circulation. Keep in a cool and dry place until use.
*UPDATE* Since writing this post, I have built up the courage to make my first two cold-pressed soaps. You can find those recipes HERE and HERE.
Homemade Soap Recipe | Melt and Pour
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Ingredients
1 pound shea butter soap base
50 drops lavender essential oil
2 teaspoons dried lavender
2 teaspoons honey
Silicone soap mold
Instructions
Cut the shea butter soap base into small chunks and place them into a double boiler.
Melt over medium heat stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.
Once it is completely melted; remove from heat.
Add in dried lavender, honey, and lavender essential oil. Mix together.
Pour into a soap mold.
Allow it to completely hardened and then pop the soap out of the mold.
Notes
This will make 4 bars of soap if using the same mold I am using. It is linked in the post above.
My 13 year old loves making melt and pour soap. I’m comfortable letting her go to town with her creations, because it’s safe! I’ll share your oil combos with her, they sound great!
I didn’t realize how soapmaking was surprisingly easy. This inspires me to give it a try myself. I really love the oil fragrance combinations as well. Thank you for sharing!
These turned out so pretty! I’ve been wanting to make soap, and I know the cold process is best (at least, that’s what I’ve heard), but I have a hard enough time making dinner, let alone soap with little ones running around. Looks like I’ll be giving the melt and pour method a shot! They would make really cute gifts, too.
Hi,
I love your recipes but I was wanting to know if you can tell me of any suppliers that you kin ow of that don’t use palm oil in there soap base.
Kind regards Liz
I really wish i could have read through all that. I don’t know if it’s my phone or not but these websites seem so riddled with distracting things popping up all over the place then i accidently lans on it to be taken somewhere else. Its so annoying. I hope they fix it soon it is discouraging me from going onto peoples websites.
Hello! I made soap recently and added dried rose petals to one and lavender to another. Both molded within a week! I used goats milk soap base. Do you have any guesses for what I did wrong? I was disappointed! They were lovely and smelled wonderful.
Thanks!
They don’t last as long when you add dried flowers, however, I have never had one mold after just one week. You can try making them without the added herbs.
Laura,
I’m new to all this but I can’t wait to make my first batch of Lavender MP soap. Since I’ll be making more than I bar what do I do with the ones I’m not using? Do I wrap them and with what?
I got shea butter from amazon,, it was called african butter it was a dirty water color and a bit of a bad smell, and the soap i pour did not set after 2 days and google said it might take 2 weeks it this correct? how can I fix it is it savable or dump it? or can I remelt and correct something?Thanks for your info to us newbys
Just a little help for people who may not be able to find the soap base: I got mine at Micheals! The Micheals near me had Goat milk and clear glycerin soap. I hope this helps some of you! Also, thank you for the amazing recipe! I feel like I was searching forever trying t find the right recipe to make melt and pour soap that was simple!
Love making soaps! Thanks for these recipes. I always find that lavender and rose petals make the soap turn brown after a few days and they no longer look nice. I wish there was some way to prevent this, it even happens when I just sprinkle them on the top rather than mixed throughout.
I am new to this craft but really want to make some soap I have bought some melt and pour soap base and can’t wait to get started
But there are so many conflicting opinions about adding lavender buds I love lavender and bought some dried buds to add to my soap but almost everyone says the buds will rot and turn brown in the soap spoiling it I an afraid to use it now
Pardon me if it’s a silly question. Can I use any honey that I have at home, say Manuka honey? Also, won’t the soap attract ants since honey is sweet? I am not sure that this works.
amazing i love these soap recipes but want to know is what is doing the cleaning of the skin is it the sheabutter? this don’t seem to suds when wet, just curious
Hello! I love all your recipes and trying a lot of them! I am interested in the other scents that you have listed with essential oils, but interested to know how many of each you would put in. I am going to be trying the citrus, and would like to try the others but not sure how much of each to put in
For 1 lb of soap base, keep the total drops between 30-50. For each of the blends listed, I do 20 drops of the first oil & 10 drops of each of the second 2 oils. However, you can mix and match as you please!
ALEJANDRA says
Hello! How many soap bars do you make with this recipe?
Laura says
With the molds I am using it will make 4 bars.
Tricia says
Hi Laura! I’m sure it’s just me, but I can’t find your recipe for the glycerin pour soap. Can you send me in the right direction. Thanks
Laura says
You can use the same recipes here with that soap base. All the soap bases work the same and can be interchanged in this recipe. 🙂
Nancy says
I’m so excited to try your soap recipe. I have been wanting to make my own soap. Thank you.
Laura says
You’re welcome!
Lindsay Cotter says
Love how easy it is to make these soap bars!!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Lavender is my favorite essential oil so I already know I’m going to love this soap!
Caren Rueffer says
Your soap looks so beautiful. Art. Great photography and a great project.
Laura says
Thank you so much!
Jenn says
My 13 year old loves making melt and pour soap. I’m comfortable letting her go to town with her creations, because it’s safe! I’ll share your oil combos with her, they sound great!
Laura says
Aww, that is so fun! My daughter loves it too!
Jen says
I didn’t realize how soapmaking was surprisingly easy. This inspires me to give it a try myself. I really love the oil fragrance combinations as well. Thank you for sharing!
Laura says
You’re welcome! I am all about east around here! 😉
Stephanie says
I love your soap! The bars look so beautiful and natural. Thank you for sharing your essential oil combinations. Can’t wait to try to make some soon.
Laura says
You’re welcome! Enjoy!
Sylvia says
These turned out so pretty! I’ve been wanting to make soap, and I know the cold process is best (at least, that’s what I’ve heard), but I have a hard enough time making dinner, let alone soap with little ones running around. Looks like I’ll be giving the melt and pour method a shot! They would make really cute gifts, too.
Laura says
YES, I totally get that! Someday I will try the “real” deal, but for this stage of life melt and pour is the only way for me!
Alexa says
So a great post!! Your posts are always SO informative. Thanks for all you do!!
Laura says
Thank you! I am so glad you are enjoying my content!
Elizabeth Grey says
Hi,
I love your recipes but I was wanting to know if you can tell me of any suppliers that you kin ow of that don’t use palm oil in there soap base.
Kind regards Liz
Maria says
Does the melted oil need to be at a certain temp before adding the essential oils!
Laura says
I let it cool slightly. You don’t want it to cool all the way or else it will firm back up.
Cynthia says
I really wish i could have read through all that. I don’t know if it’s my phone or not but these websites seem so riddled with distracting things popping up all over the place then i accidently lans on it to be taken somewhere else. Its so annoying. I hope they fix it soon it is discouraging me from going onto peoples websites.
Laura says
I am so sorry about that. Having ads on my blog is how I get paid so I can keep getting more new content out for my readers. 🙂
Miranda says
Hello! I made soap recently and added dried rose petals to one and lavender to another. Both molded within a week! I used goats milk soap base. Do you have any guesses for what I did wrong? I was disappointed! They were lovely and smelled wonderful.
Thanks!
Laura says
They don’t last as long when you add dried flowers, however, I have never had one mold after just one week. You can try making them without the added herbs.
Maria says
Can you press the dried herbs after soap has hardened by spraying with 99% alcohol.
Debbie says
Laura,
I’m new to all this but I can’t wait to make my first batch of Lavender MP soap. Since I’ll be making more than I bar what do I do with the ones I’m not using? Do I wrap them and with what?
Laura says
I keep them in a ziplock bag.
lynda says
I got shea butter from amazon,, it was called african butter it was a dirty water color and a bit of a bad smell, and the soap i pour did not set after 2 days and google said it might take 2 weeks it this correct? how can I fix it is it savable or dump it? or can I remelt and correct something?Thanks for your info to us newbys
Laura says
Did you use a shea butter melt and pour soap base or just plain shea butter?I use a soap base and it sets up in less than 4 hours.
Evelien Martens says
Hello,
If I use a melt and pour shea butter base.
Does the soap need to cure for a few weeks like cold process soap?
Thx
Laura says
No it does not.
Andrea Pierre-Jack says
Hi. My melt and pour soaps don’t lather well. I add just about 1 teaspoon of other things. Not butters or oils.
Laura says
It could be because of the soap base you used.
Anna says
Just a little help for people who may not be able to find the soap base: I got mine at Micheals! The Micheals near me had Goat milk and clear glycerin soap. I hope this helps some of you! Also, thank you for the amazing recipe! I feel like I was searching forever trying t find the right recipe to make melt and pour soap that was simple!
Heidi says
Love making soaps! Thanks for these recipes. I always find that lavender and rose petals make the soap turn brown after a few days and they no longer look nice. I wish there was some way to prevent this, it even happens when I just sprinkle them on the top rather than mixed throughout.
Marilyn Gooden says
Love the combinations of fragrances to mix into the soap, especially the melt and pour bases.
Sally Mc Menamin says
I am new to this craft but really want to make some soap I have bought some melt and pour soap base and can’t wait to get started
But there are so many conflicting opinions about adding lavender buds I love lavender and bought some dried buds to add to my soap but almost everyone says the buds will rot and turn brown in the soap spoiling it I an afraid to use it now
Laura says
After they get wet they will brown, but they don’t make the soap bad. Depends on preference!
Erica king says
In what soaps do you use lye i have read all of the recommended soap recipes listed and none are used with lye
Laura says
I use lye in all my soaps, unless I am using a melt and pour base. I have recipes for both on my blog.
Kathyann says
Can I a loaf mold just the same and cut it when it’s hardened?
Laura says
Yes!
Anitha says
Hi, how to avoid m&p soaps from water dews ..sometimes it happens?please let me know
Madeleine says
After popping your soap out of your mold wrap it tightly in plastic wrap (you can even shrink wrap) and this will prevent dews.
Yesenia says
Hi Laura, first of all thank u for all your wonderful recipes. How much lye do i need for 1 pound of shea butter? Does lye makes soap harder?
Laura says
For the melt and pour recipes, you don’t need to use lye. I have cold-process soap recipes on the blog that do use lye and explain that process.
Michele says
Love these.. tough to find recipes amidst all the ads and pop-up ads, very distracting. Going to try some goat milk lavender soaps today! Funn!
Laura says
I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes! Sorry about the ads, that is how I am able to provide so much free content to my readers. 🙂
Diana says
Pardon me if it’s a silly question. Can I use any honey that I have at home, say Manuka honey? Also, won’t the soap attract ants since honey is sweet? I am not sure that this works.
Laura says
Yes, any honey is fine! I have not had any issues with that.
Lucia says
Hi ! I’ve looked everywhere for essential oil recipes how many drops of essential oil should I put in my soap? If I only used 1 pound.
chloe williams says
amazing i love these soap recipes but want to know is what is doing the cleaning of the skin is it the sheabutter? this don’t seem to suds when wet, just curious
Mimmy says
Hi
Can I make my own shea butter soap base?
Laura says
Yes, I have several from scratch soap recipes you can follow.
Debbie says
Hi can I use cannabis infused coconut oil and a soap base to make my own soap
Nicole Martin says
Hello! I love all your recipes and trying a lot of them! I am interested in the other scents that you have listed with essential oils, but interested to know how many of each you would put in. I am going to be trying the citrus, and would like to try the others but not sure how much of each to put in
Laura says
For 1 lb of soap base, keep the total drops between 30-50. For each of the blends listed, I do 20 drops of the first oil & 10 drops of each of the second 2 oils. However, you can mix and match as you please!
Irina says
Very interesting and helpful information.
Thank you!!!