10 Best Soap Making Kits for Beginners The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

Investing time in making your own soap is a lot of fun and can be a lucrative undertaking as well. It’s something that both adults and children can do safely at home. The best way to make good quality and attractive soap is to use a proper soap making kit. 

The best soap making kits for beginners are those with easy-to-follow instructions included or come with essential oils such as the kits by Chelsea’s. Others are perfect for mass production, like the Saponify Melt and Pour Soap Base Sampler Kit.

In this article, we will discuss the different methods of soap making and the tools you’ll need. But first, we’ll look at the best soap making kits for beginners and each of their pros and cons, so you’ll have an idea of what to get or which one is right for you.

Hibiscus and Lavender Goat Milk Glycerin Soap Making Kit by Chelsea’s

This kit is an ideal introduction to soap making with updated instructions that provide techniques and tips from professionals. The instructions are uncomplicated and easy to follow, which is great for beginners.

In the kit, you will find everything you need to get started in making lovely homemade soap that also smells wonderful. It comes with two pounds (0.9kg) of premium quality goat’s milk glycerine and 5ml (0.17 oz) lavender essential oil.

You also get samples of tropical flowers that you can add to your soap and give them a unique and beautiful appearance. There is one packet of dried lavender buds and one packet of crushed hibiscus flowers.

Because the kit consists of a quality French-milled soap base, the soap you make will last longer. The four included vitamin E capsules ensure your soap will have real value when used. Thanks to the high-quality ingredients, the soap you make will be soft on the skin and have a pleasing smell.

In addition to the lavender essential oil and goat milk base, you also get 1/2 oz (14g) hibiscus fragrance oil and 1/2 oz (14g) fresh lavender fragrance oil. The kit also includes lilac and red soap colors to enhance the aesthetics of your soap.

Two bar soap molds come with this soap making kit, as well as two pipettes to help measure your fragrance oil.

However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the supplier may send buyers different molds than advertised. This problem is due to availability issues. You may have your own rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle as it will help disperse bubbles on the surface of your soap mixture.

You should be able to make eight to 12 bars of luxurious soap from the kit’s soap base and other materials.

Pros

• Great smell
• Quality end product
• The kit comes with flowers
• Fragrance oils smell lovely
• Pipettes included
• Easy-to-understand instructions

Cons

• Molds may differ from the advertised product

Saponify Melt and Pour Soap Base Sampler Kit

If you’re looking to make soap that will be good enough to sell, this kit is a great way to get started. It is a huge kit that will allow you to try out many different varieties of soap. With one pound (0.45kg) of soap base in eight selections – eight pounds (3.6kg) total – you can make 96 bars of soap in total.

You get to choose from some awesome bases such as coconut milk, olive oil, avocado butter, shea butter, aloe, and charcoal. It’s easy to get a little bit overwhelmed with so many choices, but it’s a fantastic way to kickstart your soap making journey.

The kit comes with a leaf-shaped mold that lets you make 12 soap bars, which will use up one pound of soap base. You’re not limited to creating just one soap fragrance either – you can make layered combinations once you’re used to the melt and pour process.

Unfortunately, there are no herbs or flowers included in the kit, nor any fragrances. You will have to add these on your own, which detracts a bit from the beginner-friendliness of the kit.

The overall quality of the soap is very high, though, so you can make good soap that won’t get rejected by potential buyers. The lather the soaps produce is satisfying as well.

Pros

• Quality soap base
• A huge amount of soap base
• Great variety
• Cute mold

Cons

• A very basic kit with no fragrances

Pifito DIY Hand Soap Making Supplies Kit

This soap making kit for beginners will be perfect for anyone who wants to make colorful and bright soap. It comes with ten mica (translucent to opaque) colors. You can choose from pink, blue, violet, yellow, brown, red, green, black, silver, and orange.

The kit offers two pounds (0.9kg) of soap bases that can be melted and poured. One pound is made of goat’s milk and the other of shea butter. You should get about eight bars of pretty soap from the kit.

Although the mold you get with the kit is a little bit basic – eight squares – the colors will make up for that. It’s also easy and safe to use and will be a fun project for beginners or children alike.

The useful how-to guide will teach you how to make the most of the soap base and colors included in the kit.

The soap bases are made from quality materials and free from detergents, chemicals, and synthetics that could cause allergies or other reactions. It contains vitamins that will improve the health of users’ skins.

Pros

• Nice color variety
• Two quality soap bases
• Good instructions
• Soap base contains vitamins
• Free from chemicals and detergents

Cons

• The included mold is uninspiring

DIY Cocoa Butter Soap Making Kit by Grow and Make

Cocoa butter is a popular choice with soap makers who want to create something natural that feels good and smells wonderful. This is a good starting kit that comes with clear instructions and everything needed to get going.

The kit comes with three pounds (1.36kg) of cocoa butter soap base that is soy-free, hypoallergenic, and vegan. It can be safely used on all skin types as a result. You can expect to make 16 bars of soap with the base.

You get lavender, cedar, and blood orange essential oil with the kit that can be added to the soap base with brilliant results. There are also three colorants included, which can be combined to create different shades of soap. 

The molds are classy, so you can create a soap that would look at home in a hotel or cute basket as a present.

Along with the soap base and essential oils, you also get a pipette. With that, you can make sure you’re not using too much oil.

Pros

• Hypoallergenic soap base
• Fantastic essential oils
• Colorants that can be mixed
• Classy and beautiful molds
• Makes quality soap
• It comes with a pipette

Cons

• Not enough coloring (small tubes)

Life of the Party Botanical Natural Soap Making Kits

For enthusiastic soap makers who want to make products that smell great, this is a good choice. You get three fragrances in this kit that you can combine to suit your preferences. The fragrances were chosen on how blendable they are, and you can create unique scents with them. The three fragrances are Cool Citrus, Warm Vanilla, and Fresh Herbal for a natural smell.

With the 16 oz (453g) opaque suspension formula soap base, you can add herbs and additives that won’t sink or float to the top. The kit includes rose mica powder colorant and apricot seed, plastic mold, and a loofah. The instructions are clear and easy to understand as well. 

The Celtic knot mold design makes the soap unique and interesting-looking. Unfortunately, the molds aren’t very big – you will be able to make seven small-sized soap bars.

Pros

• Blendable fragrances
• Unique mold
• It comes with a packet of apricot seed
• Loofah included

Cons

• The molds are relatively small
• There isn’t a lot of soap base to work with

DIY Gateway Soap Making Kits Melt And Pour

The DIY Gateway Soap Making Kit is quite extensive and is ideal for beginners who want to make interesting soaps. You get many supplies included in the package that will make it easy to get started.

You get a pouring pitcher, molds, stirring sticks, a measuring dropper, and packaging in the kit on top of the soap base, dyes, and fragrances. The two pounds (0.9kg) of goat’s milk soap base is detergent-free and can be used on most skin types. You will get about 13 bars of soap out of the base. 

The molds have raised text on them (‘Natural,’ ‘Handmade’), as well as two rose designs. The dyes are available in three colors – red, blue, and green – which can be combined to make many other colors.

Thanks to the lovely fragrances, Vanilla Hazelnut, Lavender, Strawberry, and Creamy Orange, you can make soap that looks and smells lovely. Although the scents aren’t powerful, they’re still very pleasing.

The four soapboxes that come with the set can be used to store the soap, and they can be used to sell the soap or give them as a present. You won’t be confused about using the kit because the instructions are simple and easy to follow.

Unlike many other soap making kits, this one comes with a money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with the products, you have 90 days to ask for your money back.

Pros

• Quality soap base
• Cute mold
• Colors can be mixed
• It comes with the necessary tools
• Packaging included
• Money-back guarantee
• Detergent-free

Cons

• The fragrances aren’t very strong

Tropical Flowers Soap Making Kits Melt and Pour by Chelsea’s

Another soap making kit from Chelsea’s this one is all about flowery fragrances and come with additives that will make beautiful soap.

You get three pounds (1.36kg) of soap bases, one pound goat’s milk glycerine, one pound of shea butter glycerin, and one pound of transparent glycerin. They are detergent-free and safe for use on all skin types.

There are two liquid soap colorants included – Dusty Rose and Lilac – which make beautiful colored soaps. You should be able to make between 12 and 16 bars of soap with the three pounds of soap base.

In addition to the colorants, there are four capsules of vitamin E oil included in the kit. This will significantly enhance the quality of your soap.

Three flower-based fragrance oils will help you make floral-inspire soap that won’t only look pretty but smell great as well. The fragrance oils are lavender, jasmine, and hibiscus. You also get 5ml of lavender essential oil to add to your soaps.

There are three packets of flowers included in the kit: rose petals, lavender flowers, and dried hibiscus flowers. 

In addition to the two molds you get, three pipettes will help you control the amount of oil you use. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the seller has noted that the molds that are received may differ from those advertised. 

Supplies should be back to normal as soon as the pandemic is causing less difficulty. The included instructions are clear and easy to follow, making them ideal for beginner soap makers.

Pros

• Extensive kit
• Vitamin E capsules included
• Lovely fragrances
• Three soap bases
• Detergent-free
• Simplistic instructions

Cons

• Molds may differ from what’s advertised

Custom Melt and Pour Glycerin Soap Gift Kit by Glory Creek

Beginner soap makers looking for something whimsical will enjoy using this kit. It comes with various differently shaped glycerine soaps that can be used inside the new soap that you make. You get four seashells, four hearts, and four stars, as well as ribbons and squiggles to play around with.

The instructions make getting creative with all the ingredients fairly easy and fail-proof. There are two pounds (0.9kg) of soap base, one clear soap, and the other white soap. Additionally, there are two craft sticks to stir with and a silicone mini loaf pan mold. 

The soap made with the mold can be cut into individual ‘slices.’ You should be able to get about eight slices of soap. To add even more joy to the kit, you also get eight gift bags with gift cards and jute ties.

Though the kit offers a lot of fun, there are no fragrances or colorants to add color or scents. Overall, the soap’s quality is admirable, and it’ll last long and feel pleasing on the skin.

Pros

• It offers great fun and creativity
• Quality soap base
• It comes with gift accessories
• Pre-made glycerine mini-soaps included

Cons

• There are no colorants or fragrances included

Complete Soap Making Kit by SOLIGT

This is a complete starter set with everything you need to make fabulous soap at home. You get two pounds (0.9kg) of shea butter soap base that are very high quality and easy to work with. There are two silicone molds with six squares each included as well as a glass measuring cup to make sure you’re using the right amounts of ingredients. 

Additionally, you get a silicone stirring stick, 12 homemade wrap labels tape, and a comprehensive instruction guide. There are six liquid color dyes – purple, yellow, red, orange, green, and blue. They can be used to make a variety of colorful soaps. The six fragrance oils will help you make soap that smells as good as they look. 

The oils you can choose from are eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, tea tree, peppermint, and orange. You also get two packets of additives – lavender seed and dried rose petals. With these, you can give your soap a beautiful aesthetic to complement the fragrance oils. 

It should be noted that the fragrance oils are not very strong, so they might not last long if you want to make heavily-scented soap.

Pros

• Makes beautiful soap
• Nice variety of fragrances
• Packets of additives included
• It comes with quality tools
• Easy to understand instructions

Cons

• Fragrance oils are not very strong

DIY Melt & Pour Shea Butter Bath Making Mold Kit by CHEZMY

CHEZMY offers soap makers interested in making shea butter soap a complete kit with everything they need. You get two pounds of shea butter soap base as well as two plastic molds.

The molds have mixed patterns; one with oval, circle, square, rectangular cavities, and beautiful flower shapes. You can make your soap as fancy or as plain as you want to with these molds. They are made from plastic, however, and might not be as flexible and easy to use.

The kit also comes with four fragrances – rose, lemon, lavender, and ocean – for great-smelling soap. There are four liquid dyes as well, which are blue, red, purple, and yellow. Easy-to-understand instructions ensure that you don’t make any mistakes and create flawless soap.

A pouring pitcher, four labels to place on the soap, and four soapboxes complete the kit, making it just what’s needed to start making your own products.

Pros

• Colors are beautiful and complementary
• Various mold shapes
• Simplistic instructions
• Pouring pitcher included
• It comes with labels and soapboxes
• Nice fragrance choices

Cons

• Molds are not of high quality

Tools and Supplies You Need To Make Soap

Before you get started with making soap at home, you need to be prepared and have all the right equipment.

Let’s take a look at what you’ll need for the most enjoyable and efficient soap-making experience.

• Rubber Gloves – Although the soap kits we’ve discussed here are all safe, you should always use gloves to avoid injuries. Melted soap can cause pain when accidentally spilled on your hands. If you want to move on to making soap with lye, you have to wear goggles and a mask as well.
• Spacious Area – You should have an area that has enough space to move around when making soap. You don’t want to drop your soap and have melted products all over your floors and walls. 
• Heat-Safe Containers – You should try to avoid using plastic containers when you’re making soap; they could melt. Rather use glass that is heat-safe for measuring as well as melting purposes.
• Measuring Spoons/Pipettes – If you’re going to add fragrances and essential oils to your soap, you need to track how much you use. Many soap making kits come with pipettes to avoid using too much oil, but not all of them do.
• Mixing Spoons – You can use wooden spoons to mix your soap bases when working with melt and pour kits.
• Rubbing Alcohol – Rubbing alcohol should be used to help make sure your soap has a smooth surface. It can be used to pop any bubbles that have formed on the soap’s surface.
• Microwave/Double-Boiler – It’s very convenient to use a microwave to melt the soap bases and then pour them into your chosen molds. If you don’t want to use your microwave, invest in a double-boiler for your soap adventures.
• Knife – A standard kitchen knife will be good enough to cut your soap if needed.
• Molds – You should try to use molds made specifically for soap. There are many kinds of molds that you can choose from, but silicone is often seen as the best option.

Methods of Soap Making

There are several ways that you can start making soap. We will first look at the melt and pour method as that is how most soap making kits for beginners work.

Melt and Pour

Melt and pour is by far the most comfortable and least complicated way to go about making soap at home. It is relatively safe, and if you make a mistake, it’s not difficult to fix what went wrong. For beginners, this is the best way to get acquainted with making soap.

There is a lot of room for creativity when using the melt and pour method, and you’re only limited by your imagination and budget. All you will need for this process is a microwave or double-boiler to melt the soap bases.

As for the melt and pour process – it’s as easy as it sounds. You melt the ingredients, mix in anything you wish to add and then pour it into molds. Let the soap cool down for about an hour and remove it from the molds. 

That’s it – you’ll have your homemade soap. Store them in a dry place until you’re ready to use them.

Re-Batching

This method is closely related to the melt and pour one because you will melt existing soap bars to make new ones.

You’re not just recycling soap, though; you will add different ingredients to make the soap better. Popular ingredients include goat’s milk and herbal infusions. Everything will be blended and made the same way as the melt and pour soap. 

Cold Process

The cold process is the most popular way of making soap at home. It is more complicated than the melt and pour method, and you’ll be making your soap from scratch.

You will use more dangerous ingredients such as lye. Fat is also used to keep the soap together nicely. You may add other elements such as fragrances and oils to enhance the quality of your soap. 

Lye is a dangerous chemical but is necessary to keep soap a nice and foamy feel. Without it, the soap won’t lather as expected. Be sure that you’re using a reliable recipe, and always wear protective gear when working with lye.

Depending on the recipe you want to use, add your lye to the recommended amount of water. Keep a close eye on the temperatures of your ingredients and ensure they’re cooled accordingly. 

You will add your desired oil to the lye mixture until it thickens, and then you’ll pour it into your molds. They should be covered with a towel, and you’ll wait a few days for the soap to harden. 

Once you’ve removed the soap from the molds, you need to place it in the open air to let the saponification process finish. This could take up to one month.

Hot Process

This process is essentially the same as the cold process. However, the difference comes in when the lye is added to the fat. You will be using the same soap making kits but must follow a different recipe.

You will add the lye to the water and stir it into the fat constantly. 

The mixture must be boiled for a specific amount of time – dictated by the recipe. When the mixture thickens, you must add your additives. Once that is done, you can pour the soap mixture into your molds and let it dry.

You can leave the soap to cure for a few weeks, or you can start using it right away.

Final Thoughts

We’ve looked at some impressive soap making kits for beginners, and each offers excellent value. My top pick has to be Hibiscus and Lavender Goat Milk Glycerin Soap Making Kit by Chelsea’s because the soap smells lovely and is of very high quality. It also comes with everything needed to make good soap.

Now that you’ve seen the many great options at your disposal, you can start making wonderful soap at home as well!