Are you ready to get your hands dirty (in a good way) and create your own liquid soap? It’s not only convenient and hygienic but also a super fun and creative activity. Whether you're starting from scratch or transforming a bar of soap into a liquid version, you'll find everything you need to know in this blog. We cover the following topics:

• Can you make liquid soap yourself?
• How liquid soap is made: step-by-step
• Making liquid soap for beginners
• Turning bar soap into liquid soap
• Making liquid hand soap
• What do you need to make soap?
• Frequently asked questions about liquid soap

With the information in this blog, you can get started and create your own unique liquid soap that perfectly suits your needs and preferences in no time.

Can you make liquid soap yourself?

Yes, you can definitely make liquid soap yourself! It’s a satisfying creative process where you have complete control over the ingredients and scents you use in your soap. There are two main ways to make liquid soap: you can start with a solid soap base and convert it into liquid soap, or you can begin from scratch and make it entirely yourself.

How liquid soap is made: step by step

Making liquid soap from scratch with lye can be a challenging but rewarding project. Lye (also known as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) is essential for the saponification process, which turns oils and fats into soap. However, using lye requires extra safety precautions since it’s a caustic substance. Here, you'll find a detailed guide on how to make liquid soap from scratch using lye.

Step 1: Gather ingredients

To make liquid soap with lye, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Distilled water
• Potassium hydroxide (lye)
• Fats and oils (such as olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil)
• Essential oils for fragrance (optional)
• Dyes (optional)
• Glycerin (optional)

Step 2: Take safety measures

Always work in a well-ventilated area and wear protective clothing, gloves, and safety goggles to protect yourself from any splashes of lye. To further protect your lungs, you can work in the kitchen with the exhaust fan on to immediately filter out any harmful fumes.

Step 3: Make the lye solution

Slowly add the potassium hydroxide to the distilled water (never the other way around!). Stir gently until the lye is completely dissolved. This mixture will become very hot, so let it cool to about 60°C before proceeding.

Step 4: Melting the oils and fats

Melt the fats and oils in a pan over low heat until they are fully liquid. Let the mixture cool to around 60°C, which is the same as the temperature of the lye solution.

Step 5: Combine lye and oils

Slowly pour the lye solution into the melted oils and fats while constantly stirring. Use a stick blender to mix the solution until it reaches a pudding-like consistency. This is also known as the "trace" stage.

Step 6: Complete the saponification process

Pour the mixture into a slow cooker and let it sit on low heat for several hours. Stir occasionally until the mixture becomes translucent and all the lye has reacted with the oils. This process is known as the "hot process."

Step 7: Dilute the soap

Add distilled water to the saponified soap to thin it out to the desired consistency. This can take several hours, so be patient and stir regularly.

Step 8: Add fragrance and colour

Once the soap is fully diluted, you can add essential oils and dyes to give your soap a personal touch. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.

Step 9: Cool and bottle

Allow the liquid soap to cool to room temperature, then pour it into clean bottles or dispensers. Your homemade liquid soap is now ready to use!

Making liquid soap with lye requires a bit more time and attention, but the result is a beautiful, handmade soap that you can be proud to use or gift to others.

Making liquid soap for beginners

Would you rather not work with lye but still want to create your own liquid soap? This can be a fun and straightforward process as long as you follow the proper steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your own liquid soap for beginners, starting with an already saponified soap base.

Step 1: Gather ingredients

To make liquid soap, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Soap base (such as Castile soap)
• Distilled water
• Essential oils
• Glycerin
• Optional: dyes and nourishing additives like vitamin E

Step 2: Melt the soap base

Start by melting your soap base. Cut the solid soap into small pieces and place them in a pan with distilled water. Heat the mixture on low heat until the soap is completely melted.

Step 3: Mixing and heating

After the soap base has melted, add glycerin to the mixture. Glycerin helps to thicken the soap and provides a moisturising effect. Keep stirring the mixture while gently heating it.

Step 4: Add scent and colour

Now, you can personalise your soap by adding essential oils and dyes. Essential oils give your soap a lovely fragrance, while dyes give it a more attractive look. Slowly add the oils and dyes and keep stirring to ensure even distribution.

Step 5: Cool and bottle

Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Then, pour the liquid soap into bottles or dispensers. Make sure the bottles are clean and dry before pouring soap into them.

Step 6: Enjoy your homemade liquid soap

Your homemade liquid soap is perfect for everyday use and a great way to pamper yourself and your skin. Use the soap in the shower, as hand soap, or give it as a unique, handmade gift for friends and family. Store your soap in a cool, dark place to maintain its quality and fragrance longer. Enjoy knowing exactly what’s in it and that you’ve made an eco-friendly choice!

Turning bar soap into liquid soap

If you have a favourite bar of soap that you’d like to turn into a liquid soap, that’s also possible. The process is similar to making liquid soap for beginners, but you start with a solid bar of soap as your base.

1. Grate: Grate the solid soap into small pieces.
2. Melt: Melt the grated soap in a pan with distilled water.
3. Mix: Add glycerin to thicken the soap.
4. Scent and colour: Add essential oils and dyes if needed.
5. Cool: Let the mixture cool and pour it into bottles.

Making liquid hand soap

Liquid hand soap is a must-have in every bathroom and kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients, you can easily make your own liquid hand soap.

1. Base: Use a natural soap base like Castile soap.
2. Water: Dilute the soap base with distilled water.
3. Hydration: Add glycerin for extra hydration.
4. Scent: Add your favourite essential oils for a pleasant fragrance.
5. Bottling: Pour the hand soap into a pump dispenser.

What do you need to make your own soap?

To make your soap, you’ll need some basic supplies. These can be divided into two categories: equipment & tools and crafting materials & decorations.

Equipment & tools

• Grater or knife: For grating or cutting solid soap.
• Pan: For melting the soap base.
• Measuring cups: To measure the ingredients.
• Stirring sticks: To mix the soap.
• Soap moulds, jars, or bottles: For pouring the liquid soap.

Craft materials & decorations

• Soap base: Like Castile soap.
• Essential oils: For fragrance.
• Glycerin: For hydration.
• Dyes: For an appealing appearance.
• Nourishing additives: Like vitamin E or aloe vera.

Frequently asked questions about liquid soap

Making your own liquid soap often raises many questions. Here, we answer the most frequently asked ones.

Can you make liquid soap from a bar of soap?

Yes, you can make liquid soap from a bar of soap by grating and melting the soap in water. Adding glycerin will give it a smoother texture. A more detailed explanation of this process can be found in this blog.

Can I melt regular soap?

Yes, regular soap can be melted to create liquid soap. Use a pan and distilled water to melt the soap over low heat.

How to make your own hand soap?

You can make your own hand soap by diluting a natural soap base with water, adding glycerin for hydration, and essential oils for fragrance. Pour the mixture into a pump dispenser, and voilà.

How long does liquid soap last?

Homemade liquid soap usually lasts 6 to 12 months. Store the soap in a cool, dry place to extend its shelf life.

Can I use natural ingredients for liquid soap?

Yes, you can make liquid soap using natural ingredients like essential oils, aloe vera, and vegetable glycerin. Check out our blog on making your own organic and natural soaps.

Is liquid soap better than bar soap?

This depends on your preference. Liquid soap is often more hygienic and easier to use, while bar soap usually requires less packaging and is, therefore, more environmentally friendly.

Making your own liquid soap is a fun and creative way to get precisely the soap you want. Whether you opt for a melt-and-pour method, turn your bar soap into liquid, or start entirely from scratch, the possibilities are endless. So, grab your ingredients and let’s get started!