Collection: Soap Making Supplies

There’s no one universal process for soap making out there - after all, every bar is different! With that being said, there are a few set process types requiring just a few ingredients. At its most basic chemical level, to make soap, you’ll need a fat or oil - for example, coconut oil or shea butter, and an alkali - most commonly lye. When mixed, saponification will occur between the two - giving you a perfectly bubbly end product. In short, these ingredients are the base for all types of soap making - however, there are ways around them! Some options, like melt and pour soap bases, come pre-saponified, meaning you don’t have to worry about ratios or reactions. 

Depending on your desired finish, you may want to mix everything from essential oils and botanicals, to exfoliants and pigments into your soap for full control over fragrance, colour and texture. 

Of course, you’ll also need a few tools. Most soap makers have access to mixing bowls, scales, moulds, a microwave, hob, or general heat source, spatulas, wire soap cutters, knives, and more. 

For a full overview of all you’ll need to craft your next soap masterpiece, view our soap making collection above!

Making soap at home can be one of the most rewarding processes out there - but exactly how you do it comes down to your personal preferences, resources, and desired final result. 

For those just starting out, melt-and-pour is one of the most popular options! This simple at-home soap making method uses a pre-made soap base that has already undergone saponification. All you’ve got to do is choose your base type, whether soothing goat’s milk or shea/argan oil, chop it up, melt away,  mix in your additives, pour, and leave it to set! This method is a great option for those seeking a quick, simple making experience as it eliminates the need to work with lye, and sets quickly. 

The hot and cold processes are also very common in the soap making world - with cold process, in particular, allowing for a huge amount of customisation, whether through marbling or layering. 

No matter which method you choose, with a little practice and experimentation, you’ll soon be creating your very own unique soaps!

The term ‘superfat’ refers to an excess of unsaponified butters and oils found within a finished bar of soap - delivering a luxurious, moisturising finish.

This soap making technique simply involves adding more oils or fats than is required for saponification to a recipe - allowing for the chemical reaction to take place in full, whilst leaving some untouched fatty ingredients behind. These excess fats can both soften the skin.

Generally, our experts recommend superfatting to around 5% - meaning that your finished soap will have approximately 5% of excess oils. You can use an online calculator to work out the quantity of sodium hydroxide needed to saponify 95% of your butters and oils, leaving the remaining 5% as a superfat.

Making soap without lye may seem like a tall task, but it's actually quite simple! All you need is a base soap that has already undergone the saponification process. Melt and pour is the perfect solution! 

To bring your melt and pour soap from block to individual bar, you'll need to start with melting. Start by chopping it up into small cubes, and melt slowly in a double boiler or microwave without burning or boiling. Once liquified, your base will be ready for customisation, whether through colouring, fragrance, or texture. Simply mix in your powders, oils, and botanicals before pouring them into your mould, and voila!  

Trace is a big thing in the world of soap making! You’ve probably heard it mentioned in many recipes or troubleshooting blogs - but what exactly is it?

In simple terms, trace is the tantalizing moment in soap making when your primary ingredients (oils/fats and lye) come together and start to thicken - transforming from a liquid blend into a thicker state. If your soap has successfully begun to trace, you’ll know that you’re on the right track. 

The stage of the soap making process is key to creating a final bar firm enough to cut and cure, whilst still possessing nourishing qualities.

What would soap be without scent? Adding aroma to your soap making creations is a surefire way to deliver an elevated cleansing experience - from calming to invigorating and beyond! But how exactly are you meant to add scent to soap?

There are a few ways out there to get your bars smelling gorgeous. Our makers’ personal favourite involves mixing essential oils into their soap at trace - keeping things 100% natural, but powerful all the same. Fragrance oils can also do the trick, whilst some botanicals like spices and petals are perfect for adding dimension to your chosen scent!   

Every soap needs a little bit of colour - but what’s the best way to get that perfect hue? Our experts have the perfect advice: 

Soap colourants are one of the most popular ways to achieve vibrant and unusual hues. Available as pigments such as mica powder, these easy-to-use ingredients give great results. Most of the time, all you’ll need to do is mix your chosen shade into your soap base before pouring. Some even work well when combined for unique colours! 

For the all-natural enthusiasts out there, botanicals are the way to go, offering a range of beautiful hues derived from plant material, alongside everything from anti-inflammatory to exfoliating properties. For example, why not use ground turmeric to add a beautiful golden yellow colour to your soap, mix in some ground cinnamon to give it a warm, spicy shade, or blend some nettle or seaweed for a green-flecked look?

There’s nothing better than a soap with a perfect, creamy lather. The good news is, this finish isn’t as difficult to achieve as you might think! 

The brilliance of lather lies in its chemistry; soap in general is created via a reaction called saponification - the result of which is soap molecules with a water-loving head and grease-seeking tail. When you add the end result to water and agitate it - say by rubbing your hands together - these molecules will create bubbles of water trapped in soap, or ‘lather’! 

Just how effectively your soap lathers is dictated mainly by the type of fat you choose to use. For example, coconut oil is notorious for its beautifully creamy and fluffy lathering abilities, whilst olive oil produces more modest results.

When choosing a melt and pour soap base, consider the desired soap qualities. For example, if you’re creating a bar specifically for sensitive or dry skin, look for moisturising bases featuring ingredients like shea butter and argan oil. 

It’s important to consider how easily the base can be customised with colors, fragrances, or exfoliants. If you're aiming for artistic soaps, transparent bases can be a great way to showcase additions like botanicals and pigments, while opaque bases offer a classic look. 

With so many different types available, you should be able to select a base that aligns with your ethical preferences, including organic and vegan options.