How To Make Soap Dough

what is soap dough? 

Soap dough is essentially soap that has been made pliable so that you can mold, sculpt, and paint with it. It’s a fun tool to use as you step up your soap making game and allows a whole lot of room for creativity.

It is made by mixing soap base with various additives like glycerin, oils, and colorants to create a moldable, pliable substance.

Soap dough can be molded into various shapes and forms, making it perfect for crafting handmade soap bars or decorative pieces.

What sets soap dough apart is its ability to be sculpted, rolled, and shaped just like traditional clay or dough, allowing artisans to unleash their creativity in crafting unique soap designs.

Additionally, it's a fun and interactive way to engage in DIY soap-making projects, making it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced soap makers.

Moreover, soap dough offers a sensory experience with its delightful texture and pleasant fragrance, making it an enjoyable and therapeutic medium for those who love to craft with their hands. Whether you're making soap for personal use, to sell, or as a thoughtful gift, soap dough adds an extra element of creativity and fun to the soap-making process.

Ready to learn? Let’s get to it!

soap dough supplies

• Melt & pour soap base
• Arrowroot powder
• Glass pouring pitcher
• Bamboo mixing spoon
• Parchment or wax paper
• Colorants like mica, natural powders, and eco glitter

our go-to soap dough recipe

1. Put ½ a block or 8 oz of your melt & pour soap base into your glass pouring pitcher and melt it in the microwave using 30 second intervals. Make sure it is fully melted.
2. Once fully melted, add 6 oz of arrowroot powder to your soap base until it starts to thicken and become a dough-like substance.
3. Once your mixture is thickened, transfer it to wax or parchment paper. This is where you can add colorants and break apart the dough into smaller pieces if you wish to use a variety of colors. To color your dough, simply sprinkle your chosen natural powders, mica, or glitters onto the dough and knead it until it fully combines. Be sure to wear gloves so you don’t stain your hands!
4. Once your soap dough is made, you can start creating with it! You can use sculpting tools, cookie cutters, or other objects around your house to create pretty soap shapes and sculptures. You can also use small silicone molds to create three dimensional soaps for embeds or decoration. 
5. That’s it! The possibilities are endless when creating with soap dough so make sure you try all kinds of fun combinations to make your soap come to life. Feel free to add fragrances and other enhancers to make it all your own!

Now that you know how to make soap dough, we want to see what you create! Be sure to post your soap dough creations on Instagram and tag us @makesy so we can share your fun soap products with our maker community.

Happy making!