How to make budget-friendly soaps at home
What's the story
Making your own handmade soaps is a fun and budget-friendly hobby.
Not only can you personalize your soaps with your favorite scents, colors, and special ingredients, but you also have the peace of mind knowing exactly what you're putting on your skin.
All it takes is a few simple supplies and a dash of creativity to start creating your own unique soaps at home. Say goodbye to expensive store-bought options!
Base selection
Choose affordable base ingredients
The secret to soap making lies in selecting the perfect base. For beginners, melt-and-pour bases are the way to go, making the whole process a breeze.
While options like glycerin, shea butter, and goat milk abound, glycerin is the most wallet-friendly pick.
At approximately $10 for a two-pound block (which makes about ten bars of soap), it's a cost-effective option for those who love homemade soaps.
Essential oils
Utilize essential oils wisely
Essential oils provide natural scents to soaps but can be expensive.
To save money, mix these oils with inexpensive carriers such as coconut or olive oil.
Even a few drops of essential oil per soap batch will create a luxurious fragrance.
This way, you can enjoy high-quality scents at a reduced cost.
Molds matter
Recycle and reuse molds
Although specialty soap molds can add a nice touch by providing a unique shape and finish, they're not essential for beginners or budget-conscious crafters.
Simply search your kitchen or recycling bin for alternatives! Silicone baking molds or even yogurt containers can work just as well.
This not only saves you cash but also promotes recycling and minimizes waste. Win-win!
Color creativity
Incorporate natural colorants
Coloring your homemade soaps doesn't need to be an expensive affair with fancy dyes or colorants.
Many natural ingredients sitting in your kitchen can double up as effective colorants.
For example, turmeric can give you bright yellows; beetroot powder, rich reds; and spirulina, lovely greens.
All these options are practically free compared to regular soap dyes, making them ideal for creators on a budget.
Local sourcing
Source ingredients locally
One big way to cut costs that most people don't think of is to get your ingredients locally when you can!
You can often find base oils (like olive oil), beeswax (for hardness), and herbs (for texture and properties) in bulk at your local farmers' market or health food store for much less than you'd pay online or at a specialty shop for the same ingredients individually.