HOW TO MAKE SHEA BUTTER WITH AGAVE HONEY SOAP

MELT & POUR SOAP WITH DRIED BACHELOR’S BUTTON FLOWERS FROM MY GARDEN IN MOLD

ESTIMATED READ TIME: 10 MINUTES

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon, AWIN, and Sovrn. As an affiliate partner, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Read my FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.

Learn simple steps for making melt & pour Soap!

DO YOU WANT TO SUPPORT WILD WEST SUCCULENTS IN A SIMPLE WAY

Treat me to a one-time coffee or support the team with a monthly donation!
Your kindness helps keep my blog thriving and allows me and my team to continue sharing gardening tips, DIY projects, and creative inspiration.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever wanted to make your own soap?

It’s fun, easy, and you can use natural ingredients that are good for your skin.

In this post, I’ll show you how to make soap using shea butter and agave honey.

Shea butter helps keep your skin soft, and agave honey makes the soap nice and smooth.

I’ll also share some helpful tips to make sure your soap turns out great!

Let’s start!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

SHEA BUTTER MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE
SOAP MOLD
PARCHMENT PAPER (OPTIONAL)
WAX PAPER (OPTIONAL)
DRIED BACHELOR BUTTON ALSO CALLED CORNFLOWER PETALS (OPTIONAL)
KNIFE (OPTIONAL)
SOAP CUTTER (OPTIONAL)
PLASTIC WRAP
DOUBLE BOILER
STAINLESS STEEL BOWL THAT FITS ONTO THE TOP OF PAN
PAN
WATER
MEASURING SPOONS (FOR CRAFTS ONLY)
RUBBER SPATULA (FOR CRAFTS ONLY)
CHOPSTICK
POPSICLE
HONEY
AGAVE SYRUP
SOAP FRAGRANCE (OPTIONAL)
FAST MELT SOAP BASE MELTER (OPTIONAL)
PIUH SOAP MELTER (OPTIONAL)
PLASTIC WRAP (OPTIONAL)
PAPER WRAP (OPTIONAL)

WHAT WE’LL COVER

DO YOU WANT TO SUPPORT WILD WEST SUCCULENTS IN A SIMPLE WAY
INTRODUCTION
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
WHAT WE’LL COVER
SOAP BASE MELT AND POUR DISCLOSURE:
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
USING THE MICROWAVE FOR MELTING SOAP BASE
DOUBLE BOILER
STEP ONE: CUT MELT & POUR SOAP BASE INTO SMALL CUBES
USING THE MICROWAVE FOR MELTING SOAP BASE
STEP TWO: HEAT UNTIL MELTED FULLY ON LOW HEAT
STEP THREE: MOVE SOAP MOLD CLOSE TO DOUBLE BOILER
STEP FOUR: WHEN MELTED COMPLETELY, REMOVE ENTIRE POT WITH STAINLESS STEEL BOWL FROM STOVE TOP
STEP FIVE: ONCE SHEA BUTTER MELT & POUR IS MELTED, STIR IN
STEP SIX: LET MIXTURE COOL
STEP SEVEN: THIS IS TIME TO ADD YOUR FRAGRANCE
STEP EIGHT: POUR MIXTURE INTO YOUR SOAP MOLD
STEP NINE: WOOD LOAF SOAP MOLD
STEP TEN: POUR INTO THE MOLD
STEP ELEVEN: COVER WITH A DISH TOWEL AND LET SIT FOR 24-48 HOURS
STEP TWELVE: AFTER 24-48 HOURS, REMOVE YOUR SOAP FROM THE MOLD
STEP THIRTEEN: USE OR GIVE IT AS A GIFT.
INFORMATION ABOUT BACHELOR BUTTONS
HOW TO DRY BACHELOR BUTTONS GROWING OVER SEMPERVIVUM
HOW TO USE BACHELOR BUTTONS
HOW TO GROW BACHELOR BUTTON FLOWERS
INFORMATION FOR DRYING SOAP
STEP ONE: LOOK AT YOUR SOAP
PULLING AWAY FROM THE MOLD
STEP TWO: WHAT TO LOOK FOR
STEP THREE: HOW TO REMOVE SOAP FROM MOLD
TROUBLESHOOTING: IF SOAP WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE MOLD
MY SOAP JUST WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE MOLD, WHAT DO I DO?
STEP FOUR: SET THE MOLD ASIDE
CUTTING SOAP INTO BARS
STEP FIVE: FLIP OVER THE SOAP
STEP SIX: HOW TO CUT YOUR SOAP
STEP SEVEN: SEPARATE CUT SOAP TO DRY
STEP EIGHT: LET DRY COMPLETELY 4-6 WEEKS
STEP NINE: HOW TO DECORATE YOUR BARS OF SOAP
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL HINTS
GIFTING LABELS FOUND ON CANVA
FOR IDEAS GIFTING SEE: SOAP LABELS FOUND ON CANVA
CONCLUSION
SOURCES
CANVA.COM SOAP LABELS
CANDLESCIENCE, MELT AND POUR SOAP MAKING FOR BEGINNERS
BULK APOTHECARY BLOG, MELT AND POUR 101: TROUBLESHOOTING
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
JOIN US TODAY!

MELT & POUR SOAP WITH DRIED BACHELOR’S BUTTON

HOW TO MAKE MELT AND POUR SOAP

SOAP BASE MELT AND POUR DISCLOSURE: This DIY soap recipe is based on my personal experience and preferences. Results may vary depending on the type of soap base melt and pour and application method used. I am not responsible for any unintended results, damage, or issues that may arise from using this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

1 SHEA BUTTER MELT & POUR SOAP BLOCK
1 TABLESPOON AGAVE SYRUP
1 TABLESPOON HONEY
1/4 CUP DRIED BACHELOR BUTTON FLOWERS ALSO KNOWN AS CORNFLOWERS +3 TABLESPOON FOR TOP

INSTRUCTIONS

USING THE MICROWAVE FOR MELT & POUR SOAP BASE

THIS CAN ALSO BE DONE IN A MICROWAVE USING A MICROWAVE-SAFE BOWL BY HEATING MELT & POUR SOAP BASE IN 30 SECONDS AT A TIME, STIRRING IN BETWEEN, UNTIL FULLY MELTED.

USING A DOUBLE BOILER FOR MELT & POUR SOAP BASE

STEP ONE:

CUT MELT & POUR SOAP BASE INTO SMALL CUBES, PLACE CUBES IN A A STAINLESS STEEL BOWL OVER WATER IN A POT TO MAKE A DOUBLE BOILER.

I USED SOAP EXPRESSION BY CANDLEWIC 5 POUND SHEA BUTTER MELT & POUR BASE PURCHASED AT HOBBY LOBBY BUT ANY BRAND WOULD WORK.

STEP TWO:

HEAT UNTIL MELTED FULLY ON LOW HEAT, STIR CONTINUALLY

STEP THREE:

MOVE SOAP MOLD CLOSE TO DOUBLE BOILER

STEP FOUR:

WHEN MELTED COMPLETELY, REMOVE ENTIRE POT WITH STAINLESS STEEL BOWL FROM STOVE TOP

STEP FIVE:

ONCE SHEA BUTTER MELT & POUR IS MELTED, STIR IN 1/4 CUP OF DRIED BACHELOR BUTTON FLOWERS, 1 TABLESPOON AGAVE SYRUP AND 1 TABLESPOON HONEY.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO BOTH USE A LITTLE LESS THAN A TABLESPOON OF AGAVE SYRUP AND A LITTLE LESS THAN A TABLESPOON OF HONEY.

STEP SIX:

LET MIXTURE COOL

STEP SEVEN:

ONCE THE MIXTURE STARTS TO COOL, THIS IS TIME TO ADD YOUR FRAGRANCE (MADE FOR SOAP) INTO THE SAME BOWL AND MIX UNTIL INCORPORATED FULLY.

STEP EIGHT:

USE HOT PADS OR HEAT RESISTANT GLOVES TO REMOVE STAINLESS STEEL BOWL AND POUR MIXTURE INTO THE MOLD(S) YOU HAVE SELECTED.

STEP NINE:

I CHOSE TO USE MY WOOD LOAF SOAP MOLD THAT I ALSO PURCHASED FROM HOBBY LOBBY BUT AGAIN ANY BRAND WILL DO OR STYLE MADE FOR SOAP.

STEP TEN:

POUR INTO THE MOLD, SPRINKLE TOP WITH THE ADDITIONAL 3 TABLESPOONS OF BACHELOR BUTTON FLOWERS.

STEP ELEVEN:

COVER YOUR SOAP MOLD WITH A DISH TOWEL AND LET SIT FOR 24-48 HOURS WITHOUT MOVING.

STEP TWELVE:

AFTER 24-48 HOURS, REMOVE YOUR SOAP FROM THE SOAP MOLD, CUT INTO BLOCKS AND THEN LET YOUR SOAP DRY ANOTHER 4-6 WEEKS TO CURE FULLY.

TWO WEEKS ON ONE SIDE, THEN FLIP OVER YOUR SOAP TO COMPLETE THE NEXT TWO WEEKS TO CURE.

STEP THIRTEEN:

ONCE THE SOAP IS CURED, AT THIS POINT, YOU CAN COVER YOUR SOAP WITH PLASTIC WRAP OR DECORATIVE PAPER AND USE OR GIVE IT AS A GIFT.

IF YOU PLAN TO GIVE YOUR SOAP AS A FANCY GIFT YOU CAN DO BOTH PLASTIC WRAP AND DECORATIVE PAPER.

THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO ADD WAX SEALS WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO RIBBONS OR JUTE.

DRIED BACHELOR BUTTON FLOWERS FROM MY GARDEN TO USE IN HANDMADE SOAP

INFORMATION ABOUT BACHELOR BUTTONS

I CAN’T TAKE CREDIT FOR THINKING ABOUT USING BACHELOR BUTTON FLOWERS IN MY SOAP.
WHEN I WENT SHOPPING AT HOBBY LOBBY, I FOUND A SMALL PACKAGE OF DRIED BACHELOR BUTTON PETALS TO BE ADDED INTO SOAP.
I CAME HOME AND STARTED DRYING MINE SO I COULD USE THEM IN MY SOAP.

CLOSE-UP OF BACHELOR’S BUTTON FLOWERS GROWN IN MY GARDEN

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED ABOUT LEARNING MORE PLEASE SEE MY BLOG POSTS BELOW.

TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO DRY BACHELOR BUTTONS GROWING OVER SEMPERVIVUM
TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO USE BACHELOR BUTTONS
TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO GROW BACHELOR BUTTON FLOWERS

SHEA BUTTER MELT & POUR SOAP REMOVED FROM MOLD TO DRY

INFORMATION FOR DRYING SOAP

STEP ONE: LOOK AT YOUR SOAP

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE EDGE OF THE MOLD, YOU CAN SEE THE SOAP IS STILL DRYING DUE TO THE WET APPEARANCE OF THE SOAP AS IT TOUCHES THE MOLD ON ITS SIDE.
I MAKE SURE TO WAIT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE REMOVING MY SOAP FROM MY MOLD.
IF YOU STILL SEE THE SOAP IS APPEARS TO STILL BE WET AFTER 48 HOURS, MOVE THE MOLD WITH THE SOAP TO A LESS HUMID PLACE IN YOUR HOME AND LET DRY ANOTHER DAY.
DOING THIS WILL HELP SET AND DRY OUT THE SOAP.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO HEAT YOUR MOLD AS IT IS SILICONE AND WILL MELT.

HANDMADE SOAP SEPARATING FROM MOLD

PULLING AWAY FROM THE MOLD

STEP TWO: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

GENTLY PRESS OR PULL ON THE SIDE OF THE MOLD.
IF THE SOAP LOOKS FIRM AND STARTS TO PULL AWAY FROM THE EDGES, IT’S PROBABLY READY!
IF IT STILL FEELS SOFT OR STICKY, WAIT A LITTLE LONGER.
IF IT LOOKS FIRM, YOU CAN CAREFULLY POP THE SOAP OUT OF THE MOLD.

SOAP REMOVED FROM MOLD READY TO BE CUT

STEP THREE: HOW TO REMOVE SOAP FROM MOLD

TURN THE MOLD OVER AND GENTLY TAP OR PRESS ON THE BACK TO HELP THE SOAP POP OUT OF THE MOLD.
IF IT DOESN’T COME OUT RIGHT AWAY, DON’T FORCE IT-JUST FIVE IT A LITTLE MORE TIME TO SET.
OR, JUST PLACE THE MOLD IN THE FRIDGE FOR ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES.
THE COOLER TEMPERATURE WILL HELP THE SOAP SHRINK A LITTLE, WHICH MAKES IT EASIER TO REMOVE FROM THE MOLD.

TROUBLESHOOTING: IF SOAP WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE MOLD

CANDLESCIENCE SUPPORT CENTER RECOMMENDS
DO NOT FORCE THE SOAP
IF STUCK AFTER 24 HOURS PLACE IN REFRIGERATOR 30 MINUTES, ALLOW TO THAW 1-2 MINUTES AND TRY AGAIN
IF SOAP STILL WON’T BUDGE, TURN THE MOLD OVER AND RUN WARM WATER OVER THE BACK AND CONTINUE WITH GENTLE PRESSURE TO REMOVE
BE CAREFUL TO SUPPORT YOUR SOAP IN THE FRONT WHILE APPLYING GENTLE PRESSURE IN BACK SO THAT YOU DON’T LOOSE YOUR ENTIRE BLOCK OF SOAP IN THE SINK

FOR A GREAT SOURCE OF INFORMATION SEE, CANDLESCIENCE SUPPORT CENTER BLOG TITLE: MY SOAP JUST WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE MOLD, WHAT DO I DO?

ONCE SOAP IS REMOVED PLACE MOLD ASIDE

STEP FOUR: SET THE MOLD ASIDE

ONCE YOUR SOAP IS OUT OF THE MOLD, TAKE A QUICK LOOK TO MAKE SURE IT CAME OUT CLEAN.
IF THERE’S NO SOAP LEFT STUCK INSIDE, GREAT JOB!
YOU CAN SET THE MOLD ASIDE, AND START CLEANING UP YOUR WORKSPACE.
IF YOU PLAN TO MAKE MORE SOAP, CLEAN YOUR MOLD WITH WATER AND LET DRY

FLIP OVER SOAP AND PREPARE TO CUT

CUTTING SOAP INTO BARS

STEP FIVE: FLIP OVER THE SOAP

CAREFULLY FLIP THE SOAP OVER AND CUT IT INTO BARS.
IF YOU HAVE A SHORT BAR YOU CAN USE A DOUGH CUTTER ALSO CALLED A DOUGH PASTRY SCRAPER/CUTTER
IF YOU HAVE A TALL BAR (AS SHOWN IN MY PHOTOS) YOU CAN USE A LARGE KNIFE AS I DID

HANDMADE SHEA BUTTER CUT INTO RECTANGULAR BARS DRYING

STEP SIX: HOW TO CUT YOUR SOAP

THE SIZE OF YOUR SOAP BAR IS TOTALLY UP TO YOU!
YOU CAN MAKE THEM BIG, SMALL, CUBED OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN-IT’S YOUR CHOICE.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
TRY MAKING A SIMPLE PAPER OR CARDBOARD TEMPLATE.
THIS WILL HELP YOU SEE WHAT THE SIZE WILL LOOK LIKE BEFORE YOU CUT THE REAL SOAP.
MAKE ONE CUT, THEN STOP AND CHECK THE SIZE.
IF YOU LIKE IT, KEEP GOING.
IF IT FEELS TOO THICK OR TOO THIN, YOU CAN ADJUST BEFORE YOU CUT THE REST.

PLACE CUT SOAP ON PARCHMENT PAPER OR WAX PAPER TO DRY FULLY

STEP SEVEN: SEPARATE CUT SOAP TO DRY

ONCE THE SOAP IS SEPARATED FROM THE BLOCK, PLACE IT ON PARCHMENT PAPER OR WAX PAPER TO DRY.

CUT SOAP ON PARCHMENT PAPER OR WAX PAPER TO DRY FULLY

STEP EIGHT: LET DRY COMPLETELY 4-6 WEEKS

LET THE SOAP DRY ON ONE SIDE, THEN REMOVE THE BAR OF SOAP AND REPLACE PARCHMENT PAPER OR WAX PAPER, FLIP OVER OVER THE BAR OF SOAP AND FINISH THE DRYING TIME.
IN OTHER WORDS, LET YOUR BAR OF SOAP DRY 2 WEEKS, FLIP IT OVER AND DRY ANOTHER 2 WEEKS.
MAKE SURE TO CHANGE YOUR PARCHMENT PAPER OR WAX PAPER BETWEEN SOAP FLIPS.
IF STILL NOT DRY, REPEAT.
COVER WITH A DISH TOWEL AND LET DRY 4 TO 6 WEEKS.

STEP NINE: HOW TO DECORATE YOUR BARS OF SOAP

AFTER DRIED COMPLETELY YOU CAN DECORATE WITH LABELS OR RIBBONS
FOR IDEAS GIFTING SEE: SOAP LABELS FOUND ON CANVA

ADDITIONAL HELPFUL HINTS

USE SILICONE MOLDS FOR EASY RELEASE
STIR CONSTANTLY WHEN ADDING HONEY OR AGAVE
CHOOSE HIGH QUALITY PURE AGAVE SYRUP
DO NOT ADD TO MUCH AGAVE SYRUP OR HONEY-TOO MUCH CAN MAKE YOUR SOAP STICKY
MAKE GIFTING LABELS FOR WEDDINGS, HOLIDAYS, BIRTHDAYS, OR CELEBRATIONS

CONCLUSION

Now you know how to make your own shea butter and agave honey soap!

It’s a fun project you can do at home, and it makes a great gift, too.

Wish just a few simple ingredients and a little care, you’ll have soft, sweet-smelling soap that’s gentle on your skin.

Give it a try!

You might just love making soap as much as using it!

SOURCES

CANVA.COM SOAP LABELS

CANDLESCIENCE, MELT AND POUR SOAP MAKING FOR BEGINNERS

BULK APOTHECARY BLOG, MELT AND POUR 101: TROUBLESHOOTING

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Wild West Succulents participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, as well as affiliate programs with AWIN and Sovrn Holdings, Inc. These programs allow us to earn fees by linking to partner sites. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

We only recommend products we genuinely believe will add value. Your support through these links helps us create more helpful content on gardening, DIY projects, and crafts.

Thank you for your trust!

For our full copyright and disclosure policy, please see our ABOUT PAGE LINKED HERE.

JOIN US TODAY!

Connect with fellow succulent lovers at Wild West Succulents.

Let’s grow together!