As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Homemade gifts are the best kind to receive, and this Homemade Lavender Soap is no exception. There is something about the love that goes in to a hand made gift. Whether you make this lavender soap for yourself or for a friend, it will be beautiful and the shea butter and lavender will feel great on your skin and even have a calming effect.
How to Make Lavender Soap
The method I have included in this recipe is the easiest way to make soap. Rather than make the soap from scratch using lye, we are using melt and pour soap base.
Soap base comes in a variety of types from shea butter to goat’s milk to glycerin. We will be using shea butter, but you are welcome to experiment or use what you have on hand.
You will also need a soap mold. I really like this one from Amazon because it is silicone, so it is really easy to remove the soap from the mold once it is set. It is also very lightweight and easy to clean.
Lastly, you’ll need Lavender Essential oil and Dried Lavender petals. I got both of these from Amazon, as well, but they are also available at your local craft store or on Etsy.
To create your Lavender Soap, you’ll simply cut the Shea Butter Soap base into pieces and melt in the microwave or over a double-boiler until it is liquid.
Then you’ll add your essential oils. You can also add soap colorant here if you’d like to change the color of your soap base.
Sprinkle some dried lavender into each of your soap molds. Then, you’ll pour the soap base into the molds and sprinkle a little more dried lavender on top. You can use a toothpick to stir the lavender into the soap if you want it incorporated.
Let it sit on a level surface until it sets completely. This should take about 45 minutes. Once set, you can remove the soap from your molds and use as you wish or wrap with parchment paper and tie some twine around it for an easy, frugal homemade gift.
Homemade Lavender Soap
Homemade Lavender Soap makes the perfect gift. It is very easy to make and looks fabulous.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Shea Butter Soap Base (or other Melt and Pour Soap Base)
- Silicone Soap Mold
- 1/2 cup Dried Lavender
- 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Instructions
- Remove soap base from container and cut into pieces.
- Place in a microwave safe container and heat according to the package directions. Once the soap is melted, work quickly as it will begin to harden immediately around the edges of the bowl.
- Add 10 drops of essential oil and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle dried lavender petals into the soap mold.
- Pour melted soap into the molds and add additional petals to the top, if desired.
- Allow soap to rest for at least 45 minutes before moving.
- When the soap is set, remove from the molds and store in a cool, dry place until ready to use or package for gifts.
Notes
If your soap hardens while trying to stir or pour, reheat in the microwave in 10 second intervals until melted.
If you would like to color your soap, use soap colorant and add drops when you add the essential oil drops. Stir to blend completely.
The instructions included are for Lavender Soap, but you can use any essential oil, dried fruit or spices that you would like. Have fun and be creative. Cinnamon and dried orange peel would be wonderful!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I was wondering about how many bars of soap do you get out of this recipe?
Never mind I see it now I apologize.
Hi Danielle,
Thanks for reaching out! The number of bars will really depend on how much you fill each mold. I was able to get 6 bars filling each mold to about 3/4 inch deep. You can make your bars thicker or increase the amount of soap base used.
Thanks,
Sarah
We just made this and it came out fantastic! Thank you! Do you think it would be an issue to send it via mail to someone?
Hi, Jocelyn! I’m so glad you made it and like it! I don’t see any reason why you can’t mail it. I would use a bubble mailer envelope just to be safe, but you shouldn’t have any issues at all! Thanks, again!
Hi
Is this suitable for face ?
Hi Rangika,
Yes, shea butter soap base is safe to use on your face. If you have sensitive skin, feel free to use a melt and pour soap base that you know works with your skin (oatmeal, glycerin).
Thank you..
Can I make this using a coconut milk soap base?
Hi, Angie. As long as the coconut milk soap base is “melt and pour,” I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t use it. Let me know how it turns out! It sounds amazing!
Hi there
Was wondering how much of the essential oil i would need to purchase to make the six bars of soap? New to this venture!
Thanks
Recipe looks super easy for beginners , like me!
Hi, Donna. You’ll only need 10 drops for this recipe, so you will have plenty from a 10 mL bottle. Enjoy!!
Hey I am going to try this soap making in my home should I include lavender dry petals compulsory into it because I do not have lavender dry petals
It is a pleasure worth reading this article as it is stating about the homemade lavender soap.This is one of the best write up. Such illustrations are given that a layman could even understand. It is an easy to comprehend blog which can be instigated by all at least once. This is a great post; I will share as much as I can.
Hi! Thanks for much for all of the helpful information you write!
You’re welcome, David! Thank you for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from readers!
Can I use lavender leaves instead of the flower/buds?
Do these have a used by date.Like how long do these last?
Hi, Evie. These bars are safe to use for 1-2 years.
I made melt and pour added lavender buds into
The melted soap and poured into molds. Two things happened that have not happened before. Each 2 x 2 bar has pitting in it and all the buds are brown and soaps are ugly. I threw them away
Any idea what is wrong ? The mold was brand new silicone I did several pours and they all pitted.
Help!!!
You didn’t do anything wrong. Lavender and most other botanicals rehydrate when added to the soap base and then mold and/or turn brown within a short amount of time. To avoid the pitting just spray with rubbing alcohol after pouring into the mold and make sure not to bump it until fully hardened.
Do you have any suggestions for preventing the soap from browning?
Hi, Roxanna. Unfortunately, the brown color from the dried lavender is natural. You can spray alcohol on the soap before sprinkling on the dried lavender to help slow the browning, but it is the nature of using dried flowers.
Can I mix goat milk and shea butter melt and pour soap together for this recipe?
Hi, Cheryl. As long as both are melt and pour, you shouldn’t have any issues. I would melt them separately and then stir them together once melted.