In this upcycled soap tutorial we show you how you can try out soap making at home with just a couple of items from the supermarket – you may even have them in your cupboard at home already!
Soap making is great fun and makes a lovely homemade gift. However, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of buying loads of supplies just to try out a craft.
Why not start out by upcycling a couple of bars of store-bought soap before you take the plunge and fill yet another cupboard full of supplies.
Note: For this project, you need to use a translucent glycerine soap, such as Pears or Neutrogena. It does not work with the opaque lotion based ones – I know I’ve tried!
What you need to make our honey and pears upcycled soap
We used 2 bars of Pears soap, honey, bubble-wrap, a flexible mould (you can use anything as long as it has a bit of flex to help remove the bar), a microwavable jug and a spoon.
How to make honey and pears upcycled soap
Chop up your soap and place in a microwavable jug.
Heat in microwave for 20 seconds at a time. Check on the progress after each blast.
The photo below shows the soap half melted after 40 seconds. Remember the soap will be hot!
If you feel the need to stir your soap, do so carefully – you don’t want to introduce any bubbles.
Once melted, add your honey (I used about a tablespoon) and stir carefully until combined.
Immediately pour into the moulds. The soap will start to harden quickly, so don’t hang about!
Place the bubble-wrap over the soap, and press gently to ensure it is in contact with the surface of the soap.
Leave to cool and set for an hour or so. Remove from the mould and admire!
This is such a great way to try out soap-making at home, without having to invest in lots of supplies
If you have enjoyed this upcycling tutorial, why not check out some of our other quirky recycled and upcycling ideas. You can find a list of our favourites below.
How To Make A Recycled Tin Can Owl
We turn metal trash into a cute tin can owl that can be hung in your garden or used as cute windowsill planters in this easy to follow tutorial.
How to Upcycle Wire Lampshade Frames into Plant Stands
I show you how to upcycle vintage wire lampshade frames into gorgeous industrial style plant stands that will look fab in any interior.
How To Make A Cute Window Bird Feeder
Our DIY window bird feeder is made from an old cake pan and a tea strainer and allows us to watch our lovely wild birds eat their breakfast while we eat ours.
How To Make Super Easy Kokedama Moss Balls
Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in moss balls. See how to create a low maintenance version from tennis balls and sheet moss.
22 comments
Saw large block of glycerine soap in my local supermarket and wondered if I could render it , add perfume and colour and make a good and quick first time around soap. Have fresh local honey in the cupboard and good essential oils. Your post is inspiring and how I found it I don’t know. Here goes!
Good luck with soap Kenny – let me know how it turns out :)
Can you add a scent to this or does the honey give it a scent?
This particular soap has quite a strong scent so I didn’t but you definitely could add one Rosa :)
Your Ideas are brilliant. Lovem!
Thank you so much for your kind comment Belinda :)
Can you use Castile soap and melt it?
Hi Cindy I have only melted glycerine soaps for use in crafts, but I had a google and found quite a few references to people melting Castile soap successfully so it’s definitely worth a go. Here’s one guide I found https://www.ehow.com/how_5689114_melt-castile-soap.html I’d love to hear how it works out if you do try it :)
Such a brilliant idea! Tempted to do this with my daughter for her Teacher and TA’s Christmas gifts :)
Thanks Mothergeek, it’d be perfect for teacher presents :)
Just found your site & love it. I would love to make these, but don’t have a microwave. Can it be made using a water bath do you think? Thanks.
Hi Ginny, Thanks so much for your kind comment. Although I haven’t tried it I know that melt and pour soap type soap is meant to melt well in a water bath or double boiler so I think it would work well for the pears soap too. Do come back and let us know how you got on :)
Oh how pretty! I love how the print from the bubble wrap looks. I have tried some soap making, and it can get expensive. This sounds a lot easier and it turned out so pretty, and would great gifts.
I was delighted with how it turned out Linda, and was pleased to come up with a way to try it without people having to spend lots – it’s so easy to spend a fortune on craft supplies!
It looks great! I love the idea of using bubble wrap for the indentations too, makes it look very professional and a perfect gift. It would look excellent in a Christmas hamper too. Thank you for sharing and linking up to #howtosunday :) x
I love the bubble wrap effect too. We’ve made honey soap with melt and pour soap as well which was lovely but it didn’t have the amazing colour that the pears soap gives this one.
This looks really fun and easy. I love to give and receive soaps as gifts, and I especially love honey scented soaps so I’m really keen to give this a go :) #howtosunday
It’s a great way to dip your toe into soap making – and really is simple :)
hat a great idea, just a pity we never have this type of soap lying about :( #howtosunday
Sadly it only works with some of the ‘clear’ glycerin based soaps – I did try with lots of different brands and the results weren’t pleasant!
That looks like a lovely idea and as you say, perfect for a gift, particularly at this time of year. I am surprised how easy it is! Thanks for sharing #HowToSundays
It’s a great way to try your hand and making soap without having to buy loads of bits and pieces :)