I'm a bit of a newbie to the soap game. I love the idea of making my own soaps (especially for gift giving and hostess gifts), but since I haven't had much experience in the soap world yet, I thought I'd start off with a simpler idea for my first try. If you're also a newbie but have been wanting to make your own, let's do this one together!
Supplies:
–white melt-and-pour soap
-microwave safe container
-body-safe soap fragrance oil of your choice
–soap dye
-soap thermometer
-plastic soap mold
-popsicle sticks for stirring
-spray bottle with rubbing alcohol
Cut your melt-and-pour soap with a sharp knife into 1/2" cubes and place 2 cups of soap in a pourable microwave safe container. Heat for 30 seconds at a time, stirring at the end of each interval. Once the soap is completely smooth and melted, allow the soap to cool a bit until it reaches 145° (use the soap thermometer to track the temperature). Once the soap has cooled, add the desired amount of fragrance and stir until combined.
Use the dye droppers to drop dots of dye onto your empty soap molds, spreading out the colors if using more than one.
Pour the soap into the molds. Stop pouring when the mold is halfway full and spray some alcohol on the soap to spread the color. Repeat with another spray of alcohol once the mold is full and use your popsicle stick to move the color around the mold.
Keep swirling until you like the pattern you have, and then let your soap harden. Once it's set, pop the soap out of the mold, and you're done!
I will say that marbling and tie dye can be a bit of a hit or miss process (even though you may do the same exact thing both times). You may have a dud soap that just doesn't spread the color like you want, but keep making them! You'll still get several good ones in, I promise!
I like to cut the sides of the soap with a knife after popping them out of the mold to give them even more of that handmade look. I love marbled/tie dye look on just about anything, so I'm excited to add these to my bathroom and give a few out as gifts too. Hope you'll jump into soap making with this project if you haven't already! xo. Laura
Credits // Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
46 Comments
WOW! It turned so beautiful. I’m a newbie in the soap game too but I already have 1 project to try from you guys. The one with pictures/images inside the soap, and now, this one too!
I’m taking too long to get the supplies to making soap. i don’t know, as I live in a small place, I just think it’s going to be a mess when I start.
But this project sounds fun and will be great (and almost silly, but who cares?) having a soap combining with the colors of my bathroom. 😀
http://www.loveandeverythingblog.com
That looks amazing! This may be a silly question but does the soap dye dye your skin? That’s my only concern!
No. Soap dye does not stain a least in my experience.
I have always wanted to make my own soap too! This one looks so fun! It would make such a great gift. Thanks for sharing! I’m excited to try it out! 🙂
http://www.sweetlytattered.com
Okay, I know what I am doing this weekend. So cool!
– Kaitlyn | http://www.TheCrownFox.com
These turned out beautifully 😀
I love the effect you get with marbling too.
These look beautiful, I can’t wait to try it! We tie dyed some jeans the other day in Dylon burlesque. Such a quick an easy DIY, maybe a pastel shade for the summer would be fun B-)
They look really pretty. I never even thought about tie dye soap but now that I see it here I’ll definitely add it to the DIY to do list!
-M
http://www.violetroots.com
That looks so awesome!
My Little “ROAD TRIP” Box Review JULY 2015
So cool! Love this idea for gifts or just for fun! Very creative.
Happy Summer!
xx Lane
Wow, how cute are these! I’ve never made soap before but like you, it’s always been on my list. Love it! Thanks for the tutorial. xoxo Lisa
Hi from Argentina!
I love the blog, and really like this DIY. I wanted to know if its possible to use food coloring instead of soap dye? I don’t think I could get that in my country
xx
My first job when I was eleven was wrapping home made soap for a lady at our church. This brings back fond memories. I might have to try it.
These are so cute!!
tonixox.blogspot.com
This is such a cute little DIY http://www.hannamarielei.com
This is really cool!
http://www.littleblackshell.com
Wow!!! This actually seems doable. This would be an awesome rainy day project, and then you’ve got lots of gifts on hand! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Those look so cute and great for gifts!!
They look great!!
Wow they look super-great! I want to try it 🙂
Those look amazing!
Wow, looks so cool!
This is such a cute idea! Perfect for a unique hostess gift!
– Sarah
sarahintheglasses.blogspot.com
I’ve been wanting to make my own soap after a co-worker brought some samples in to work. She made amazing scents, and I was hooked! I love the tie dye look and I never thought alcohol was used to blend out all of the colors. It worked so well!
Monica / Mocha and Moccasins
diy soap, something i would have wanted to do for quite some time now 🙂
No Mary it doesnt. The dyes are in small quantities.
http://dleonalife.blogspot.com/
I absolutely love this, the shape and the designs looks really unique. Would give a try real soon.
http://dleonalife.blogspot.com/
I LOVE soap making so I’ll definitely try this tutorial. Usually I add dried herbs from my garden to make fragrant, herbal soaps. I love how colorful and fun these soap bars are!
I just fell in love with your blog!
These look so cute and fun for summer! would love to give this a go! xx
http://www.krystelcouture.com
These soap bars are so cute! They would make great gifts!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
How fun! Didn’t know you can just buy soap blocks ready to be melted!
Juju Sprinkles
http://www.jujusprinkles.com
This looks so cool! I think it’s time to hit up Michaels for a few crafting supplies 🙂
I’ve never tried making soap, but it seems like such a fun thing to do! It really would make a great gift. 🙂
Amazing tie-dye and colour combination! Love to try this sometimes.
http://www.kinikunormal.blogspot.com/
HI! I don’t think it would be the same and the soap dye is specially made to not stain your hands. I would try looking online to see if you can get some shipped to you, good luck!
Laura 😉
Wow! Thanks for the idea! Going to make it into a kid project, my kids will LOVE it.
Apryl
@paperplanelaneboutique
This is such a great idea! I always wanted to make my own so but the tie-dye aspect is genius. Love it!
This is such a cool idea!! 😮 thanks for sharing
Dorky-and-weird.blogspot.com
Xoxo Jessy
What an awesome idea! I love the tie-dye effect – thanks for the tips! I’ll be putting this on my to-do list 🙂
Lindsay / myhouseoflove.com
Yaaay I love love love this soap how to! The colour effect adds so much fun!
Hannah x
http://crafternooncabaretclub.com
I’ve been wanting to make some soap for so long, and this is so easy it would be rude for me not to start! They look gorgeous xx
dahliariver.blogspot.com
Thank You for sharing, especially being a newbie (me too). All these soap making tutorials are so intimidating and are just way to difficult when you’re just learning. I like that there are a few of you still left that understand that it’s not always as easy as it seems.
Thank you for this. I find using silicone moulds are easier than plastic ones, the soap is easier to pop out.
Luv, luv your article. I too am a newbie and I am thrilled you shared this simple but beautiful design. Here’s wishing you continued success. Regards
Love it!!!