Learn how to make soap balls that you can easily color and scent to your preference. This super affordable craft makes a great handmade gift.
I have a pretty bar of wrapped scented soap in my powder room, which was a gift from my sister. It's probably eight years old, but I love the fact that it still makes the room smell nice. This inspired me to make something scented for the blog, and I decided to make soap balls with fragrant oils because they are easy and inexpensive.
I can't remember where I learned this craft. I'm pretty sure it was girl scouts, but it may have been summer camp. It was definitely something I learned as a child. Funny how some kids' crafts can be equally nice to make as an adult.
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How to Make Decorative Soap Balls
Supplies
- Unscented bar soap
- Food coloring
- Essential Oils or Fragrance Oils
- Hand grater
- Plastic bowl
The process is really easy, however, it may take a few tries to get the shape, color, and fragrance level you like. Start with grating some of the soap into a bowl. One thing to note, the Ivory soap pictured above is slightly scented. After I made a few balls with the Ivory soap, I went to the store and picked up Dove's unscented soap. I liked it much more because the scent did not interfere with the added fragrance. However, you don't have to use scent at all. In fact, you could use colored soap, instead of coloring the flakes. Ah, but where's the fun in that?
Add some food coloring, fragrance, and a little bit of water; about 1/2 teaspoon. I used orange, peppermint, and some rosemary essential oil. I also bought some cinnamon fragrance oil at Michaels, but it wasn't the best. You can purchase clove essential oil, and it's pretty inexpensive. I think clove and orange essential oils would be a great combination for the home.
Using your hands (this gets messy), squeeze the soap pieces together. Continue squeezing as you roll the soap into a ball. If it seems too big break off a bit and re-roll.
Set the balls on a piece of newspaper to dry overnight. Just to give you an idea, one bar of soap made between 4 and 6 balls.
Here I used fall colors, but you could make them any color you like. Red and green for Christmas. Blue and white for Hanukkah. Pastels for spring or Easter. Better yet, why not choose colors that coordinate with your bathroom?
Bag them up to give out during the holidays or as a hostess gift any time of year. Right now for me, they make a pretty little fragrant display in the powder room.
Homemade Soap Ball Recipe
Equipment
- Large hand grater
- plastic bowl
Materials
- Bars of unscented soap - Dove works well
- Food coloring or soap colorant
- Essential oils or fragrance oils
Instructions
- Grate some soap into a bowl.
- Add a couple of drops of food coloring or soap colorant.
- Add about 1/2 teaspoon of water.
- Add several drops of fragrance.
- Use your hands to squeeze the pieces of grated soap together and roll them into a ball.
- Set the ball on some cardboard, newspaper, or waxed paper to dry overnight.
- Set out in a bowl for decoration anywhere you'd like.
Adina
Has anyone used a food processor to shred the soap? I am thinking about doing the activity at a family event and I was trying not to buy a ton of graters because we are a large family.
Thanks for any input!
Patti Estep
Adina, I have never tried it. You probably have a grater attachment so it might be worth a try.
Dusty
I am doing this with my class at school for mother’s day. How much soap to water did you use?
Patti Estep
Dusty it probably depends on the soap and amount of scent you are adding but I'd start with 1/2 teaspoon of water. You can always add more.
Theresa@DearCreatives
So pretty. I bet my teen would love to do this with me. Thanks for joining us at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Shared.
Crystal Green
This is such a great way to make such a wonderful gift.
Thank you for sharing this with us on the #HomeMattersParty. We hope to see you again next Friday at 12 AM EST when we open our doors again.
Patti Estep
Hi Crystal,
I'm so glad you liked the soap balls. They were so fun to make.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Patti
Linda S
This would be a great way to use up my leftover odds and ends of my homemade soap - and something the kids could help with. Pinning!
Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing and Crafting
What a cute idea! Does the food coloring leave any color on your hands when you wash them with this soap? My kids would love to make these! 🙂 Lisa
Patti Estep
Hi Lisa,
I really use them for decoration but have tried using them as soap since a few people asked about this. What I've found was that some of the color does come off but it also rinses away with water. You may want to try using color made for soap which is available online and at many craft stores.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
creativejewishmom/sara
looks gorgeous, and love the colors! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Wendy
This is going to be an ABC (auntie by choice) project together with my special girls! We already ordered our scented oils from Natures Garden! We are excited and waiting for the next school holiday to try this out. It looks simple, it is inexpensive, and the results are charming!
Patti Estep
Hi Wendy,
That sounds like a great idea. I will say that it gets pretty messy. I found myself washing between balls to remove the dye from my hands. You could try wearing rubber gloves.
Have a great time with your girls and thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Michelle
Could you use extracts instead of essential oils? I don’t have the oils in my house as the smells give me migraines, but I want to make these with my bible class. I was thinking a little vanilla extract for the scent.
Patti Estep
Michelle, I think you can try extracts. I haven't done it personally and they typically have some alcohol but it would probably be worth a try. Maybe just test a little out ahead of time.
Beverly
You use to be able to buy a laundry detergent made for washing baby clothes. I guess that it has been discontiued because I can't find it anymore. I wanted to make soap scultures. Now with your idea of grating the soap, I 'll be able to make soap balls. Thanks so much.
Patti Estep
Hi Beverly,
So glad you liked it. Why not try making different shapes. Sounds like fun!
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Linda at Mixed Kreations
How pretty, and easy! Love the colors! Add some pretty packaging and you have a great gift for someone special. With the scent and pretty colors I would just put in a pretty bowl and let the scent fill the room. Thanks for sharing!
Patti Estep
Hi Linda,
So glad you like them and I agree. In fact, they are setting in that same bowl in my powder room right now. I just might make these for my holiday gift too.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti