If you’re interested in getting started with soap making, look no further – this article explains everything you need to begin! This list of supplies to make soap will get you started on your new journey.
Are you thinking about getting into the world of soap making? If you’ve already started doing your research, maybe your head is spinning in circles thinking about products and items that you’re going to buy.
You might drive yourself a little crazy thinking about future projects and items you need (well… want), instead of taking the time to plan out the basic items that you’re going to use regularly.
What Do You Need to Make Soap?
When you’re just getting started out with soap making, you really don’t need a ton of different products to begin. You just need the basics. The reason why?
Well, you need to perfect your technique first before moving on to more extravagant and detailed soap making projects (ideas that you have already created a huge list for!). Slow it down. Use this article as a complete guide with basic supplies you’re going to actually need for soap making.
One Quart Plastic Buckets
You’ll use a plastic bucket to mix your lye solutions in. You’ll want to make sure the bucket is solvent resistant so that chemicals don’t break the plastic down.
2.5 Quart Plastic Buckets
You’ll also need a larger container for combining your soap mixture. 2.5 quarts is the perfect size.
Blender Stick
A blender stick enables you to mix the oils with the lye and begin the saponification process. Make sure you keep this one specifically for your crafts – don’t use it for food, even after washing.
Digital Scale
This is one of your most important supplies to make soap. You’ll need a digital scale that measures ounces and grams. All ingredients will be weighed out (lyes, oils, etc.).
Safety Goggles & Gloves
Safety goggles are for your total protection so you don’t get anything in your eyes. Grab a pair of gloves as well so that you don’t contaminate anything or get lye on your skin. If you feel your respiratory system might be sensitive, you could also add a mask.
Lye
Lye is a super strong alkali, and the basis of all soap. Once mixed with the triglycerides, a reaction occurs and the soap is formed.
Coconut Oil or Olive Oil
These are triglycerides that help make soap. They are great substances to work with, especially coconut oil.
Distilled Water
It is best not to use tap water because of the potential impurities. Of course, you can make your own distilled water at home (search the internet for instructions).
Silicone Molds
You can pour your soap into various molds and allow them to cool. You can make lots of fun (or basic) shapes with them.
Digital Thermometer
The digital thermometer allows you to monitor the temperature of your lye solution and your oils.
Soap Making Guides
You can look up instructions online for soap making, but it’s nice to have something in print to teach you the process as well. That’s where soap making guides come in handy.
The best part is that all of these supplies to make soap are very affordable and will cost you less than $100 to get started!
Later on down the road, you can invest in dyes, different flowers and herbs, and a variety of essential oils to create whatever scents you would like to make to suit your mood. Then you can also buy a lot of different molds and even a soap bar cutting block.
Homemade soaps also make great gifts that everyone will love for any time of the year. Once the holidays come around and the seasons change, you’re going to fall in love with the different varieties of smells and visual effects that you’re going to create to help match the mood. Happy soap making!
If you’d like to check out some other related posts, I’d love for you to read these: