Make Your Own Herbal Soap

Learn how to make herbal soap. This soap is easy to make and smells wonderful. Any herbs from your garden can be used.

Soap made with fresh Rosemary

I was recently inspired to make my own herbal soaps after reading an herbal mystery.  I love good smelling soap and thought it would be fun to try to make my own.

Supplies:

Soap 
Herbs  (I used Rosemary, Mint, and Basil.)
Essential Oil  (I used lemon because I already had it.)
Molds  (I used antique jars because I liked the pattern at the bottom and small plastic containers.)
Cooking Spray

soap1

How To:

1.  Melt the soap in the microwave.  I used six squares of soap at a time and it took 50 seconds to melt.

soap2

2.  Chop your herbs.
soap3

3.  Stir herbs and essential oil into melted soap.  I used about ten drops but will use more next time.
soap4

4.  Pour into containers that have been sprayed with cooking spray.
soap5

5.  Allow to cool completely and then remove soap from containers.  I found that the plastic containers worked best.  I had to run a knife along the sides of the glass containers to get the soap to release.  You can see below that the sides of some are rough.
soap6

6.  Use a wet cloth to smooth the sides and to remove any air bubbles at the surface.
soap7

I am enjoying a Rosemary Mint soap beside my kitchen sink and a Basil Lime one by my workroom sink.  (I grated fresh lime peel in with the basil to make this variation.)
soap8

7.  Make tags and wrap to share with friends.
soap9

36 Comments

  1. Oooh….Paula! I am bookmarking this because I want to make soap! I would choose rosemary mint! Lovely giveaway!…hugs…Debbie

  2. Paula, this is weird…I guess great minds think alike. I was just looking at the glycerin in Hobby Lobby yesterday saying to myself that I should trying and make some soaps. It would be much nicer to be the winner of your giveaway and enjoy your herbal soap. It looks so textural and fresh. Oh, and thanks for the great tutorial.

  3. Paula, I can’t wait to make this soap! Basil Mint is one of my favorite fragrance combinations. I love your blog. I’m from the South too but live in DC now. Your blog reminds me of home!

  4. What an awesome gift idea! Do you grow those herbs in your own garden? I think I’d like to try the Rosemary Lemon. I wouldn’t be able to smell it, but my guests would. 😉

  5. Paula, the soap looks great. I wish I could smell your blog. I know they smell good. I love how you wrapped them up as gifts. I know your friends will love it. Carla

  6. the rosemary mint one sounds fab, but they look so stinkin’ adorable! i think your presentation is my favorite part.

  7. Here’s my 2nd comment for my additional chance to win. Plz, plz, plz, plz Lord, let me win! 🙂

  8. Not only did I mention the contest on my blog but I also added your button!! SCORE!! 🙂

  9. I can’t wait to make this is sound so easy..thanks for sharing…Pat H
    either soap would be wonderful…thanks pat H

  10. Mmmm. . . your soap is just beautiful, and I love all the herbs you used! Basil is probably my favorite herb in the world, followed by rosemary. And they both smell so delicious–but I don’t think I ever would have thought to use them in soap! Thank you for the tutorial. And thank you for the chance to win!

  11. Now thats cool!
    I always wondered how to make soaps.
    I think the Rosemary Mint one would be my fav.
    I can soo see myself making these for Christmas gifts!
    Thanks for posting & count me in. I would love to use and smell those!!!

  12. Your mother would love to win the contest!!!! I love the sample you shared with me. Wish me luck. They are so fragrant and also so pretty.

  13. Paula, you are so creative! I have always wanted to try making soaps!
    I think I would love the rosemary-lemon. But, then I love rosemary anything!
    Great giveaway!

  14. Omigosh! How to choose! The rosemary mint sounds heavenly, but I’m such a fan of basil, too. They look absolutely professional, Paula — and with the cute wrap job, you could sell those in very nice gift stores!

  15. I’d be happy to mention you on my blog, but I don’t have one!! Sure do enjoy yours, though. 😉

  16. I just found this and was curious as to how many soap bars you can make with one package of pieces from Michael’s. What size are your containers you pour into? Thanks

  17. Paula – thanks for stopping bvy and also for giving me the head’s up on the homemade soaps. I am definitely going to give this a try again soon. I made soaps several years ago with glycerine and oatmeal and essential oils but not with herbs. Love this idea. Thanks for sharing with me.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.