Soap making is one of the easiest crafts to fall in love with. If the thought of weighing, measuring, mixing, melting, and pouring stuff excites you, you’ll enjoy it.
Making soap at home gives you full control of the process, the ingredients, design, and even packaging to your liking. You get to play around with the color, scent, patterns, and any additives you want your skin and other senses to indulge in.
Like many new entrants into the craft, you must be curious to know, is making soap at home easy? Making soap at home is relatively easy if you have the necessary supplies and care to follow instructions.
There are obviously more concerns, for example, is making soap at home safe? Is handcrafted soap expensive? And so on. But do not let these hold you back.
As a beginner, we recommend getting a soap making kit. It is the easiest, cost-effective, and safest way for you to get started with handmade soap.
But what is the best soap-making kit for beginners? The best soap-making kit should have all the tools you need to get started, from plenty of soap base; to molds, cutters, measuring cups and other equipment; to colorants, dyes, and other extras.
This post addresses all things soap making, including the safest process and the supplies you need. And, you do not have to search high and low for kits because at the very end of this guide is our list of the best soap making kits. Let’s get crafty.
What Supplies Do You Need For Soap Making?
The supplies you need to make soap will depend on the method you wish to use. There are two ways of making soap: the cold process, also known as the saponification method, and the melt and pour method.
Here’s what you should expect to need for each:
| Supplies Needed | Cold Process | Melt and Pour |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Lye Distilled Water Animal fat/vegetable oil Colorants (optional) Fragrance (optional) | Soap base Colorants (optional) Fragrance (optional) |
| Equipment | Molds Calibrated beakers/measuring cups Glass, plastic, or steel mixing bowls Stirring glass rod or silicone spatula Thermometer Stick/immersion blender Kitchen scales PH tester Protective gloves, apron, and goggles | Molds Microwaveable bowl Wooden stick or silicone spatula |
The soap making process is basically the same for both methods, only that with the melt and pour, the base is already made for you. With the cold process, you create the soap base from scratch using lye and oil.
So, you basically need the same supplies for both methods: lye, distilled water, and oil for the cold process, or the pre-made base for melt and pour method.
Additives such as colorants and fragrances are a nice option to improve the soap’s appearance and smell, but they certainly aren’t necessary.
Last but not least are the molds. The molds can be individual cavities in a tray or one big loaf where the soap is later sliced into slabs after solidifying.
For anyone trying this for the first time, we suggest going with the melt and pour method, which is what most soap making kits about. The same goes for anyone who is likely to involve children in the craft.
This is because lye is a corrosive substance that reacts explosively if mishandled. It can badly burn skin, and even worse, cause blindness when it enters the eyes. So extra caution must be exercised when using it around the home.
Kits can also be pocket-friendly. You would not want to spend such a fortune on a craft you are not already hooked on. Better to find out the cheaper way if it is only a passing fling for you.
You can always top up your supplies and equipment later when you seriously think about making handmade soap en mass and even commercializing it.
What Are the Best Ingredients For Homemade Soap?
Natural ingredients are the best ingredients for homemade soap. It is what differentiates them from their industrially produced counterparts.
If there’s one thing that’s making more and more switch to homemade soap, it has got to be going green to escape the chemicals in many store-bought soaps, which helps the planet as much as it helps you. Therefore, when selecting ingredients for making soap at home, it is advisable to stick to mother nature’s gifts.
Whether formulating your soap base from scratch or buying it ready-made in a kit, these are some of the best soap making ingredients to have. You may actually already have some of these in your home:
- Butters: shea, mango, or cocoa butter
- Vegetable oils: avocado, coconut, olive, palm, canola, castor, sunflower, almond, or jojoba oil
- Animal fats: tallow or lard
- Liquids: distilled water, green tea, rosewater, rice water, goat milk, hemp seed milk, or coconut milk
- Scents: essential oils, fragrance oils, or ground herbs, flower petals, and spices
- Colorants: food-grade dyes, flower extracts, turmeric, coffee
- Other beneficial ingredients: honey, aloe vera, lemon juice, hibiscus, oats, sea salt, etc.
It is always advisable to start simple with as few ingredients as possible at any given time. Some oils and additives change the soap’s outcome when used in large quantities or combined with another.
Fragrance oils are unnatural scent makers but will give a stronger aroma than essential oils if that matters to you. Go for skin-safe, food-grade, or natural blend options.
Always check how your skin reacts to a particular ingredient first before adding it to your homemade soap. If giving it as a gift or selling at a craft fair, clearly label the ingredients used to avoid sensitivity and allergy issues for users.
9 Best Soap Making Kits
Finally, we’ve gotten to the exciting part: choosing a soap making kit. Any soap making kit is easy to come by, but a good one isn’t.
A good kit has the supplies you need, as discussed earlier, and the instructions to help beginners execute the project successfully. You also want to check for the quality of the components in terms of craftsmanship and material used when choosing a soap making kit.
Plastic molds, for example, are inferior to silicone. For soap slicers, you should be looking for stainless steel. Wooden stirring sticks are one-time use compared to silicone or glass sticks, and so on. Knowing what ingredients make up the soap base is also vital. You want it to be good for skin and lather well too.
Thorough scrutiny before actually buying the kit and testing it is tricky, which is where we come in. We’ve scoured thousands of reviews to take the guesswork away from you.
Here’s our round-up of the 9 best soap making kits:
| Rank | Product | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | SOLIGT Complete Soap Making Kit | 2 lb shea butter soap base, 2 square molds, 6 fragrance oils, 6 liquid dyes, measuring cup, stirring stick, dried flower packets, label tapes, instructions |
| 2. | CraftZee Complete Deluxe Soap Making Kit | 4 lb melt & pour shea butter soap base, loaf cutter mold, 2 cutters, pouring pitcher, bags, 6 fragrances, 6 dyes, instructions |
| 3. | Grow and Make Store DIY Cocoa Butter Soap Making Kit | 3 lb cocoa butter soap base, 4 decorative mold designs, pipette, 3 essential oils, 3 colorants, instructions |
| 4. | Glory Creek Custom Melt and Pour Glycerin Soap Gift Kit | 2 lb glycerin soap + mult. glycerin soap shapes, stir sticks, mini loaf pan, gift bags & ties, cards, spray bottle, instructions |
| 5. | NICOLE Full Soap Making Supplies Kit | 500 g soap base, silicone mold, soap beveler planer box, bubble net, measuring cup, cutters, soap packaging, silicone spatulas, pipette, mix bar, whisk, gloves & masks, safety goggles, thermometer |
| 6. | CraftZee Melt & Pour Shea Butter Soap Making Kit | 2 lbs. shea butter soap base, 2 molds, pouring pitcher, stirring sticks, mixing bowl, 4 soap boxes, 4 fragrances, 4 liquid dyes, instructions |
| 7. | Pifito DIY Hand Soap Making Supplies Kit | 1 lb shea butter & 1 lb goats milk soap base, 10 mica powder dyes, soap mold |
| 8. | Pifito DIY Hand Soap Making Supplies Kit - Light | 1 lb shea butter & 1 lb goats milk soap base, 10 LIGHT mica powder dyes, soap mold |
| 9. | Urban Kangaroo DIY Goat Milk Soap Making Kit | Goat milk soap base, essential oil blend, 2 colorants, stirring sticks, pipettes, mold, instructions |
Let’s look at each more closely, shall we?
1. SOLIGT Complete Soap Making Kit
It is always highly appreciated when you can get everything you need in a soap making kit without ordering the missing stuff elsewhere. This kit has all the supplies for your melt and pour soaps in one basket, making it our choice for this sweet spot.
So what’s in it? Well, there are two pounds of shea butter soap base for that moisturizing effect; 6 fragrances: lemongrass, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, orange, and tea tree; 6 liquid dyes; and 2 dried flower packs, of lavender and rose flower petals each, for that authentic natural look.
There are also 2 sets of basic shaped rectangular silicone molds, a silicone spatula, a 500 ml glass measuring cup, and a step-by-step beginner’s guide. 12 cute wrap labels are also enclosed so you can neatly wrap your soap and give them as gifts or party favors.
This is one of the most comprehensive melt and pour starter soap making kits you can lay your hand on. It is a mix of variety, quality and value in one bundle.
2. CraftZee Complete Deluxe Soap Making Kit
CraftZee deluxe kit is our choice for the best soap making kit for versatility. It has exclusive scents and colors you just won’t find in any other kit.
There are also the necessary tools and supplies for your melt and pour soap crafting needs and they come in twice the normal amounts for double the fun.
In it are 4 pounds of shea butter soap base and 6 amazing scents, including cherry, coconut, blueberry, and jasmine. There are also 6 liquid dyes, a loaf silicone mold, and a wooden holding box to prevent bulging walls, 2 slicers (straight and wavy), a pouring pitcher, and a mixing spoon.
Your soap presentation needs are catered for, too. You can utilize the sweetly designed label stickers and jute twine tied into a cute bow to complete the package in a rustic look. Instructions are provided in English. They are so good, you’ll make great soaps straight out of the gate.
3. Grow and Make Store DIY Cocoa Butter Soap Making Kit
Do you love indulging in the goodness of cocoa butter lotions and balms? Then you’ll be super excited to make soap that matches your other products.
This kit comes with 3 pounds of vegan-friendly hypoallergenic soap base made from pure cocoa butter, coconut oil, palm oil, and safflower oil.
You also get three essential oils in the kit. There is a floral lavender, citrusy blood orange, and woody cedar scents to try. Each comes in an 18oz glass tube. The pigments included are cosmetic grade and thus skin safe.
The makers also threw in a pipette and 2 plastic mold trays with 4 cool shapes. Each holds about 2.5oz bars yielding 16 bars from the kit which is just fantastic. Detailed instructions are enclosed so you can get it right the first time.
You’ll also love that this is handcrafted in Portland, Oregon, USA. Making a purchase is a good way to support local artisans, besides getting the best melt and pouring soap making supplies in your hands.
4. Glory Creek Custom Melt and Pour Glycerin Soap Gift Kit
Are you looking for a fun-filled activity to do with the kids, or think of giving handcrafted soap as gifts or party favors? This is the best soap making kit for the job. It is designed especially for that, making cute, giftable homemade soaps for friends and family.
There’s the usual white and clear glycerin soap base (1 pound each) and a silicone loaf pan. Then there’s the brightly colored soap decorations to embed into the soap and give it character ribbons, squiggles, stars, shells, and hearts.
Jute rope, gift bags, and mini gift cards for personalized messages complete the set, but it could be better with some essential oils or fragrance for scent. That’s no deal-breaker. We are sure you already have some of your favorite essential oils in your vanity top and don’t mind sparing a few drops to scent your soap crafts.
An instructional booklet is provided in case the user needs more direction.
5. NICOLE Full Soap Making Supplies Kit
Nicole’s is probably our top choice for the best soap making kit when it comes to equipment included. This is a versatile kit for both inexperienced and intermediate soap makers. If you’re pretty sure you’ll want to continue soap making, and want a kit that has almost everything you could ever need, this is a great choice for you.
Whether you want to do the melt and pour or feel psyched up enough to tackle the cold process, you can do it. There’s all the necessary tools and supplies to begin crafting melt and pour soap right out of the kit.
In it is 1 pound of soap base though there’s nothing to scent or dye your soap. Sourcing for lye and oil is also separate if you want to create your soap base from scratch.
Notwithstanding, there’s a ton of sturdy tools to last you a lifetime of soap crafting. You get a loaf silicone mold, wooden box, serrated soap knife, straight soap knife, pipette, stirring rod, thermometer, stainless steel whisk, 50ml, 250ml, and 500ml measuring cups, safety goggles, a pair of gloves, silicone spatula, bubble nets, and packaging bags.
The instructions are not in English so, can’t be of much help. But there’s a great picture illustration and video on their Amazon page.
Anyone looking to make a one-time purchase for a kit to grow with will get a bang for their bucks with Nicole’s full soap making kit. It is designed for serious soap artisans who care more about sourcing their own favorite natural ingredients for highly customized bars but have reliable long-lasting tools for the process.
6. CraftZee Melt & Pour Shea Butter Soap Making Kit
Craftzee soap making kit is the seventh choice in our top 9 list. It is a mini version of its bigger brother Crafzee deluxe kit.
What components does it have? Well, there’s a little bit of everything essential. You can expect to find 2 pounds of soap base made with shea butter, 4 sweet-scented essential oils, 4 primary colorants you can mix up to create new tones, a 2-piece plastic mold set with basic shapes and floral patterns, mixing bowl, wooden sticks, and a pouring pitcher.
There’s also an instructional leaflet that is well detailed and easy to follow too. Four flamboyantly illustrated boxes are provided as packaging for the bars to give as a gift or display.
It is a nice introductory soap making kit with just the basics to help you learn the ropes. The mold and pitcher are not the sturdiest and will need a replacement after few uses.
7. Pifito DIY Hand Soap Making Supplies Kit
This is a pretty basic soap making kit with just enough supplies to get you started.
There are 2 pounds of soap base to melt and pour; 1 pound of shea butter and 1 of goat’s milk base. Both make about 8 bars of handcrafted soap each. You also get a simple, but handy silicone mold tray with 6 rectangular cavities.
The highlight of this soap making kit is perhaps the assortment of shimmery mica powder in 10 different colors to add some pizzazz to your soap bars.
Although this soap kit is a little bare bones, it’s a great option for those who like to stick to the basics and who prefer simplicity. It may not be flashy with animal molds or dozens of fragrance options, but it will make several bars of quality soap in a variety of colors. Don’t underestimate its quality and reliability!
8. Pifito DIY Hand Soap Making Supplies Kit – Light
Last but not least is another Pifito kit. Like its predecessor above, it doesn’t have a lot of pizzazz to offer but it does allow you to craft high quality soaps and have plenty of fun while doing it.
Again there are 2 pounds of soap base to melt and pour, 1 pound each of goat’s milk and shea butter. You also get the same simple mold allowing you to make several smaller bars at once.
The difference is in the mica powder dyes. The 10 color options are similar to those above, but lighter in color. So if you love shimmery bright colors and want to see more of them in your life, this may be a better option.
This is a little starter kit with just the bare minimum supplies for soap making. It’s perfect for the newbie just dipping their toes into the craft and the occasional hobbyist. And if you hate having to invest in frills just to get your basic supplies, then you’re in luck here!
9. Urban Kangaroo DIY Goat Milk Soap Making Kit
This California-based, women-led soap making kit brand is the true meaning of life’s little pleasures. It has enough supplies to craft 6 little luxurious and healthy artisanal soaps.
There’s goat’s milk soap base blended with shredded coconut, perfect for healthy soft skin. The colorant variety is, however, a little unimpressive. There’s just red and blue food-grade coloring. Vanilla, lavender, bergamot, and grapefruit essential oils are provided for that heavenly scent.
Other pieces of equipment are a silicone mold in various interesting shapes and patterns, a pipette, wooden stirring sticks, and an instructional booklet.
It’s a delightful starter kit with a tasteful combination of ingredients for crafters of all ages to enjoy. We especially recommend it for younger crafters, who may benefit from its simplicity. It’s a great way to spend the day with your little loved one.
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