Candle & Soap Making: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Soap Making Basics
Learn all about soap making and how to make your own homemade natural soaps, melt and pour soaps and more. Fun soap making projects and how-to soap making recipes as well as explanations of all the materials tools and ingredients involved.
Learn all about soap making and how to make your own homemade natural soaps, melt and pour soaps and more. Fun soap making projects and how-to soap making recipes as well as explanations of all the materials tools and ingredients involved.
Make Cold Process Soap
How to make soap -soap making instructions using the cold process soap making process - mixing oils and lye, stirring to trace, adding fragrance and color. Easy to follow soap making instructions.
How to make soap -soap making instructions using the cold process soap making process - mixing oils and lye, stirring to trace, adding fragrance and color. Easy to follow soap making instructions.
Basic Bath Salts
Basic instructions and recipe to make bath and spa salts
Basic instructions and recipe to make bath and spa salts
Lye Sources
Without lye, there is no soap. But the most common supplier for home-based soap makers, Red Devil, has been discontinued. Here are some places you can get it.
Without lye, there is no soap. But the most common supplier for home-based soap makers, Red Devil, has been discontinued. Here are some places you can get it.
How to Make Candles
Bring some warmth and light into your home by making your own hand made candles - Fun creative and easy to learn
Bring some warmth and light into your home by making your own hand made candles - Fun creative and easy to learn
Olive Oil Soaps
Easy Recipes for making Castile Olive Oil Soap
Easy Recipes for making Castile Olive Oil Soap
Create a Soap Recipe
Want to learn how to make soap? Create your own soap recipe from scratch - balance your oils and get exactly the results you want.
Want to learn how to make soap? Create your own soap recipe from scratch - balance your oils and get exactly the results you want.
Liquid Soap
How to make liquid soap at home - using your own recipe, oils and lye.
How to make liquid soap at home - using your own recipe, oils and lye.
Melt and Pour Soapmaking
Easy illustrated instructions for making melt and pour soap! Melt and pour soap making gets you started right away making your own natural handmade soap.
Easy illustrated instructions for making melt and pour soap! Melt and pour soap making gets you started right away making your own natural handmade soap.
Goat's Milk Soap
Make goat's milk soap using several different methods - using liquid milk, frozen milk, or powdered milk.
Make goat's milk soap using several different methods - using liquid milk, frozen milk, or powdered milk.
Bath Salts Recipes
How to make bath salts & bath salts recipes
How to make bath salts & bath salts recipes
Best Lye Calculators
Lye Calculators for Cold Process Soap
Lye Calculators for Cold Process Soap
Make a Lye Solution
Making a lye solution is one of the first steps in making your own soap - here are easy to follow instructions.
Making a lye solution is one of the first steps in making your own soap - here are easy to follow instructions.
CP Shaving Soap
Recipe for shaving soap - olive oil shaving soap
Recipe for shaving soap - olive oil shaving soap
Qualities of Soap Making Oils
Which oil will give what qualities to your soap recipe? Here's a catalog of the many different oils used for making soap - and the qualities they give to your soap making recipes.
Which oil will give what qualities to your soap recipe? Here's a catalog of the many different oils used for making soap - and the qualities they give to your soap making recipes.
Making Lye from Wood Ashes
Links to sources of how to make lye the old fashioned way - from wood ashes and water
Links to sources of how to make lye the old fashioned way - from wood ashes and water
Citronella Candles
Directions for making mosquito repelling outdoor citronella bucket candles
Directions for making mosquito repelling outdoor citronella bucket candles
Scent Blending
Create custom fragrance blends of fragrance or essential oils for your soaps and candles with this simple blending guide
Create custom fragrance blends of fragrance or essential oils for your soaps and candles with this simple blending guide
Basic Soap Recipes
Want to start making soap? Here are a collection of tried and true basic recipes from the top soap makers in the country.
Want to start making soap? Here are a collection of tried and true basic recipes from the top soap makers in the country.
Making Soap with Clays
Recipe for making soap with clays
Recipe for making soap with clays
Container Candles
Step-by-step instructions for making basic container candles.
Step-by-step instructions for making basic container candles.
Fizzy Bath Bombs
Instructions to make fizzy bath bombs - bring some fizz and some wonderfulness to your bath.
Instructions to make fizzy bath bombs - bring some fizz and some wonderfulness to your bath.
Grocery Store Soap
You don't have to have a lot of fancy ingredients to make great soap. This recipe uses only oils that I found at my local market.
You don't have to have a lot of fancy ingredients to make great soap. This recipe uses only oils that I found at my local market.
Rebatching Soap
Rebatching soap - grating and remelting soap - instructions to make rebatched or hand milled soap
Rebatching soap - grating and remelting soap - instructions to make rebatched or hand milled soap
Natural Colorants
Natural colorants in soap making don't have to be boring and muted. Many plant materials, spices and herbs give lovely colors to your soap.
Natural colorants in soap making don't have to be boring and muted. Many plant materials, spices and herbs give lovely colors to your soap.
Soap with Milk
You're not limited to just using distilled water in your soap making. Many soapers make soap with goat's milk, coconut milk, or even buttermilk. Making the lye solution for your soap is a bit more tricky though. Follow these steps to get the best results.
You're not limited to just using distilled water in your soap making. Many soapers make soap with goat's milk, coconut milk, or even buttermilk. Making the lye solution for your soap is a bit more tricky though. Follow these steps to get the best results.
Basic 4-Oil Soap Recipe
Basic 4-Oil Soap Making Recipe - A great recipe to get started making soap
Basic 4-Oil Soap Making Recipe - A great recipe to get started making soap
Liquid Laundry SBS
Make your own liquid laundry soap. Easy to make and very inexpensive!
Make your own liquid laundry soap. Easy to make and very inexpensive!
Types of Candle Making Wax
Information about the many different types of candle making waxes - and guidance for choosing the right one.
Information about the many different types of candle making waxes - and guidance for choosing the right one.
Soap Making Recipes
Directory of soap making recipes from basic soap making recipes to soaps with botanical additives to specialty soaps
Directory of soap making recipes from basic soap making recipes to soaps with botanical additives to specialty soaps
RenderingTallow
Instructions for taking fat from the butcher - usually beef fat - and rendering it into tallow useable in your soap recipes.
Instructions for taking fat from the butcher - usually beef fat - and rendering it into tallow useable in your soap recipes.
Basic Soap Equipment
A list of the basic soap making tools and equipment you need to get started making soap
A list of the basic soap making tools and equipment you need to get started making soap
Honey in Soap
Information about using honey in hand made soaps - soap making recipes too
Information about using honey in hand made soaps - soap making recipes too
Mailbag - Bath Salts
Many different types of salt can be used to make bath salts!
Many different types of salt can be used to make bath salts!
Alternative Lye Solutions
You're not limited to just using distilled water in your soap making. Many soapers make soap with goat's milk, coconut milk, coffee, tea or even beer. Making the lye solution for your soap is a bit more tricky though.
You're not limited to just using distilled water in your soap making. Many soapers make soap with goat's milk, coconut milk, coffee, tea or even beer. Making the lye solution for your soap is a bit more tricky though.
Saponification
definition of saponification in soap making process
definition of saponification in soap making process
Convert Baking Soda to Washing Soda
How to convert baking soda into washing soda for use in homemade laundry detergent.
How to convert baking soda into washing soda for use in homemade laundry detergent.
Glycerin Soap
The term glycerin (glycerine) soap is really a misnomer. All real soap is glycerin soap.
The term glycerin (glycerine) soap is really a misnomer. All real soap is glycerin soap.
MP Shaving Soap
Instructions to make Melt and Pour Shaving Soap
Instructions to make Melt and Pour Shaving Soap
Mosquito Essential Oil Blends
Mosquito repelling essential oil blends for making citronella candles with more than just citronella oil
Mosquito repelling essential oil blends for making citronella candles with more than just citronella oil
Floating Candles
Floating candles are easy to make...and can transform a plain bowl of water into a stunning centerpiece.
Floating candles are easy to make...and can transform a plain bowl of water into a stunning centerpiece.
Add a Little Extra
Superfatting cold process soap recipes is common - it adds extra moisturizing qualities and gives you a fudge factor.
Superfatting cold process soap recipes is common - it adds extra moisturizing qualities and gives you a fudge factor.
Maine's 3-Oil Soap Recipe
Sandy Maine's Basic 3-oil Soap Recipe - A good basic 3-Oil soap making recipe to get started
Sandy Maine's Basic 3-oil Soap Recipe - A good basic 3-Oil soap making recipe to get started
Hard White Soap
recipes for old fashioned hard white soap
recipes for old fashioned hard white soap
Fragrance & Essential Oils
A discussion of the difference between fragrance oils and essential oils in candle making and soap making.
A discussion of the difference between fragrance oils and essential oils in candle making and soap making.
Organize Your Craft Room
Great articles and resources to help you organize your craft room
Great articles and resources to help you organize your craft room
Soap Exfoliants
List of exfoliants you can use in your soaps
List of exfoliants you can use in your soaps
Whipped Soap
Step by step instructions to make whipped soap - room temperature cold process soap
Step by step instructions to make whipped soap - room temperature cold process soap
Coconut Milk Soap
Step by step instructions for making soap with coconut milk
Step by step instructions for making soap with coconut milk
Types of Olive Oil
Which type of olive oil is right for your soap making recipes? What's the difference in the different grades of olive oil?
Which type of olive oil is right for your soap making recipes? What's the difference in the different grades of olive oil?
Cocoa Butter Massage Bars
Recipe and ingredients that you'll need for cocoa butter massage bars.
Recipe and ingredients that you'll need for cocoa butter massage bars.
Lavender Dream
Recipe for Lavender Dream Soap & Essential Oil Blend
Recipe for Lavender Dream Soap & Essential Oil Blend
Powdered Laundry SBS
Recipe for great homemade powdered laundry soap. Easy to make and very inexpensive!
Recipe for great homemade powdered laundry soap. Easy to make and very inexpensive!
Labeling Soap
Instructions & guidelines on labeling your soaps for sale at craft shows, markets and retail locations.
Instructions & guidelines on labeling your soaps for sale at craft shows, markets and retail locations.
Trace
When making cold process soap you must wait until the mixture reaches trace - once you have seen it you will know but trace makes soap making beginners nervous
When making cold process soap you must wait until the mixture reaches trace - once you have seen it you will know but trace makes soap making beginners nervous
Salt Bars
Benefits of salt soap bars - how to make a salt bar - recipe and soap making instructions.
Benefits of salt soap bars - how to make a salt bar - recipe and soap making instructions.
Recycling Wax Scraps
Any candle maker - or even candle user - will have lots of odds and ends and scraps of candles left over. Here are some ways to reuse them.
Any candle maker - or even candle user - will have lots of odds and ends and scraps of candles left over. Here are some ways to reuse them.
Propylene Glycol
Discussion of Propylene Glycol in Soap, Cosmetics and Household Items
Discussion of Propylene Glycol in Soap, Cosmetics and Household Items
CP Soap Making Videos
A collection of step by step videos demonstrating cold process soap making
A collection of step by step videos demonstrating cold process soap making
Cure
Cold process soap needs to cure or age before it is ready to use
Cold process soap needs to cure or age before it is ready to use
Paraffin Wax
Profile of paraffin candle wax - all about paraffin wax and its uses
Profile of paraffin candle wax - all about paraffin wax and its uses
100% Coconut Oil Liquid Soap
Liquid soap recipe using 100% coconut oil - super foaming and cleansing
Liquid soap recipe using 100% coconut oil - super foaming and cleansing
Beeswax & Honey Soap
Making soap with both beeswax and honey - using a honeycomb effect in the mold!
Making soap with both beeswax and honey - using a honeycomb effect in the mold!
Loofah Soap
Putting loofah into a bar of melt and pour soap gives you easy-to-make soapy exfoliation.
Putting loofah into a bar of melt and pour soap gives you easy-to-make soapy exfoliation.
Dog Soap Recipes
Recipes for flea repelling dog soap
Recipes for flea repelling dog soap
Fun Candle Making Project
Step by step instructions for making sand candles
Step by step instructions for making sand candles
Types of Candles
Description and examples of the many different types of candles you can make.
Description and examples of the many different types of candles you can make.
Cyclomethicone
Definition of Cyclomethicone
Definition of Cyclomethicone
Add Some Sugar
Adding sugar to your soap helps increase lather and bubbles
Adding sugar to your soap helps increase lather and bubbles
Citrus Honey Bock
Recipe for Citrus Honey Bock Soap
Recipe for Citrus Honey Bock Soap
Measurements vs Percentages
Scale your recipe to any size as well as understand the proportions of each oil in the recipe.
Scale your recipe to any size as well as understand the proportions of each oil in the recipe.
Layered Lavender Soap
Lavender soap with two twists! Getting Started - ingredients and setup.
Lavender soap with two twists! Getting Started - ingredients and setup.
Oatmeal Bath Salts
Simple recipe for bath salts formulated with skin soothing oatmeal.
Simple recipe for bath salts formulated with skin soothing oatmeal.
Simple Milk Bath
Simple recipe for milk bath.
Simple recipe for milk bath.
Soap Making Safety
Tips and information to help you make soap safely.
Tips and information to help you make soap safely.
Pillar Candles
Basic candle making instructions for a molded pillar candles.
Basic candle making instructions for a molded pillar candles.
Toxic Essential Oils
List of Toxic and Phototoxic Essential Oils
List of Toxic and Phototoxic Essential Oils
Easy Soap Science
Time passes and emulsifier shows how soap cleans
Time passes and emulsifier shows how soap cleans
Coffee Soap
Coffee soap is a great soap to make for cooks and coffee lovers alike - it removes garlic and fish odors from hands - exfoliates nicely - and is an exotic change to your normal everyday soap recipe
Coffee soap is a great soap to make for cooks and coffee lovers alike - it removes garlic and fish odors from hands - exfoliates nicely - and is an exotic change to your normal everyday soap recipe
Safe Container Candles
Guidelines for choosing safe containers to make container candles in.
Guidelines for choosing safe containers to make container candles in.
Add a Bit of Salt
Adding a bit of salt to your soap can help increase hardness - an inexpensive and easy soap making tip
Adding a bit of salt to your soap can help increase hardness - an inexpensive and easy soap making tip
Soap Felting
Tips for Soap Felting - A few helpful tips to make your felted soap easier and better.
Tips for Soap Felting - A few helpful tips to make your felted soap easier and better.
Easy Votive Candle
Easy candle making project-make a simple votive candle-step by step instructions
Easy candle making project-make a simple votive candle-step by step instructions
Neutralize Liquid Soap
How to neutralize natural liquid soap
How to neutralize natural liquid soap
Cucumber Soap
Recipe for cucumber soap
Recipe for cucumber soap
Basic 3-Oil Soap Recipe
Basic 3-Oil Soap Making Recipe - A good super simple recipe to get started making soap
Basic 3-Oil Soap Making Recipe - A good super simple recipe to get started making soap
Recycle Candle Containers
How to recycle and reuse container candle jars and containers. Scooping the candle wax out of the containers.
How to recycle and reuse container candle jars and containers. Scooping the candle wax out of the containers.
Invigorating Foot Soak
Simple recipe for bath salts formulated as a foot soak.
Simple recipe for bath salts formulated as a foot soak.
Lye Excess in Liquid Soap
An explanation of Catherine Failor's Liquid Soap recipe formulations - and the excess of lye
An explanation of Catherine Failor's Liquid Soap recipe formulations - and the excess of lye
Custom Prayer Candles
Step by step instructions to make your own custom prayer or devotional candles.
Step by step instructions to make your own custom prayer or devotional candles.
Morning Mint
Step-by-step instructions for Morning Mint melt and pour soap - easy soap making project
Step-by-step instructions for Morning Mint melt and pour soap - easy soap making project
Ice Candle
How to make an ice candle - beautiful and easy
How to make an ice candle - beautiful and easy
Pumpkin Soap
Pumpkin is a wonderful additive to soap - and perfect for fall soap making.
Pumpkin is a wonderful additive to soap - and perfect for fall soap making.
Candle and Soap Labels
Top Picks for Resources for Labelling Candles and Soaps - Candle and Soap Label Resources
Top Picks for Resources for Labelling Candles and Soaps - Candle and Soap Label Resources
Photo Candles
How to add a photo to your candles using either waterslide candle decals or embedding photos into a hurricane shell
How to add a photo to your candles using either waterslide candle decals or embedding photos into a hurricane shell
Dry Perfume Roll-on
Dry Perfume Roll-on or Body Oil Spray with Cyclomethicone
Dry Perfume Roll-on or Body Oil Spray with Cyclomethicone
Green Tea & Lemongrass Soap
Recipe for green tea & lemongrass soap
Recipe for green tea & lemongrass soap
Mild Liquid Soap Recipe
Mild liquid soap recipe with coconut and sunflower oil
Mild liquid soap recipe with coconut and sunflower oil
Balloon Candles
Using a simple balloon, you can make interesting candle shells that can be used in a number of fun projects
Using a simple balloon, you can make interesting candle shells that can be used in a number of fun projects
Laundry Soap Recipe 2
Easy recipe to make homemade laundry soap.
Easy recipe to make homemade laundry soap.
Laundry Soap Recipe 1
Easy recipe to make homemade laundry soap.
Easy recipe to make homemade laundry soap.
Christmas Cupcakes
Whipped soap cupcakes look good enough to eat - but don't, they're made from whipped soap. How to make whipped soap cupcakes.
Whipped soap cupcakes look good enough to eat - but don't, they're made from whipped soap. How to make whipped soap cupcakes.
Rolled Beeswax Candle
Instructions for making a simple rolled beeswax candle. Great for kids.
Instructions for making a simple rolled beeswax candle. Great for kids.
Stuffy Nose Bath Salts Recipe
Simple recipe for bath salts for stuffy noses and colds.
Simple recipe for bath salts for stuffy noses and colds.
Household Soap Combo
A great combination of soap for any household -Gardener's Soap great for cleaning dirty hands - Mechanic's Soap for the grimiest jobs - and Kitchen Coffee Soap to battle cooking odors
A great combination of soap for any household -Gardener's Soap great for cleaning dirty hands - Mechanic's Soap for the grimiest jobs - and Kitchen Coffee Soap to battle cooking odors
European Lye Sources
Without lye, there is no soap. But it can be hard to find good quality pure lye. Here are some places you can get it.
Without lye, there is no soap. But it can be hard to find good quality pure lye. Here are some places you can get it.
Using Liquid Lye
How to use a liquid lye solution in soap making
How to use a liquid lye solution in soap making
Types of Candle Wicks
Information about the history and function of candle wicks - how candle wicks work, how they were developed and the different types of candle wicks.
Information about the history and function of candle wicks - how candle wicks work, how they were developed and the different types of candle wicks.
Melt and Pour Fun
Melt and Pour Soap Scrubbie - Easy Soap Making Project - Great for kids - fun soap making project
Melt and Pour Soap Scrubbie - Easy Soap Making Project - Great for kids - fun soap making project
Laundry Soap Hub
Information and recipes to make your own homemade laundry detergent/soap.
Information and recipes to make your own homemade laundry detergent/soap.
Tea Herbs in Soap
Tip for how to use teas and herbs used for tea in your soap
Tip for how to use teas and herbs used for tea in your soap
Cold Process Soap Making Books
A collection of the best books on how to make soap from scratch.
A collection of the best books on how to make soap from scratch.
Candle Making Videos
Step by step videos of basic candle making projects.
Step by step videos of basic candle making projects.
Herbal Oil Infusion
Directions on How To Make an Herbal Oil Infusion for Soap Making
Directions on How To Make an Herbal Oil Infusion for Soap Making
Liquid Soap Dilution
Dilution help for making liquid soap
Dilution help for making liquid soap
Great Kids Project
Step by step instructions to make a stained glass votive holder
Step by step instructions to make a stained glass votive holder
Marbled Container Candles
How to make a container candle with swirled marbled colors!
How to make a container candle with swirled marbled colors!
Coloring Fizzy Bath Bombs
Step by step instructions for coloring your fizzy bath bombs
Step by step instructions for coloring your fizzy bath bombs
Pregnancy Essential Oils
List of essential oils to avoid during pregnancy.
List of essential oils to avoid during pregnancy.
Soap Mold Size Calcuators
How to calculate the volume of soap needed to fill a particular soap mold.
How to calculate the volume of soap needed to fill a particular soap mold.
Soap & Surface Tension
Demonstration of how soap breaks surface tension
Demonstration of how soap breaks surface tension
Using Flower Petals in Soap
Using flower petals in your soap making recipes can yield wonderful results but beware - using flower petals in cold process soap turns the flowers black or brown - proper usage of flowers in cold process soap making
Using flower petals in your soap making recipes can yield wonderful results but beware - using flower petals in cold process soap turns the flowers black or brown - proper usage of flowers in cold process soap making
Water Dispersible Bath Oil
Instructions to make Water Dispersible Bath Oil
Instructions to make Water Dispersible Bath Oil
DOS - Dreaded Orange Spots
Have a batch of soap that has suddenly turned orange in spots? You're a victim of DOS - or Dreaded Orange Spots
Have a batch of soap that has suddenly turned orange in spots? You're a victim of DOS - or Dreaded Orange Spots
Outdoors Candles Projects
My favorite projects for candles designed to be burned outdoors.
My favorite projects for candles designed to be burned outdoors.
Carrot Juice Soap
Recipe for carrot juice soap
Recipe for carrot juice soap
Natural Colorants in Soap Gallery
A gallery of soap made with natural colors from the 2010 Lone Star Soap & Toiletries Gathering.
A gallery of soap made with natural colors from the 2010 Lone Star Soap & Toiletries Gathering.
MM-Extract Essential Oils?
How are essential oils extracted from the plants?
How are essential oils extracted from the plants?
Essential Oil Safety
How to use essential oils safely in your soaps and candles.
How to use essential oils safely in your soaps and candles.
Soy Wax
Profile of soy candle wax - all about soy wax for candle making and other uses
Profile of soy candle wax - all about soy wax for candle making and other uses
Candle and Soap Videos
Video instructions to get you started making soap and candles
Video instructions to get you started making soap and candles
Distillation of Essential Oils
Description of water distillation and steam distillation of essential oils.
Description of water distillation and steam distillation of essential oils.
Candle Projects Directory
Directory of Candle Projects at Candle and Soap Making at About.com
Directory of Candle Projects at Candle and Soap Making at About.com
Mining for Gem Soap
Easy Melt and Pour Soap project - Gemstones with colored mica
Easy Melt and Pour Soap project - Gemstones with colored mica
Bramson's Castile Soap Recipe
Ann Bramson's 3-oil Soap Recipe - A castile soap variation using olive oil and beef tallow
Ann Bramson's 3-oil Soap Recipe - A castile soap variation using olive oil and beef tallow
Mica
Information about mica colorants in soap making.
Information about mica colorants in soap making.
A little extra oil
definition of superfatting in cold process soap making
definition of superfatting in cold process soap making
Top Note
Top note the fleeting bright volatile scent When blending fragrance and essential oils for soap candles or aromatherapy attention must be paid to the characteristics of each oil Each oil has a top note middle note and base note
Top note the fleeting bright volatile scent When blending fragrance and essential oils for soap candles or aromatherapy attention must be paid to the characteristics of each oil Each oil has a top note middle note and base note