Soap Making Methods Overview
| Method |
Difficulty |
Cure Time |
Best For |
Safety Level |
| Melt and Pour |
⭐ (Easy) |
0 hrs |
Beginners, kids |
Low |
| Cold Process |
⭐⭐ (Moderate) |
4-6 weeks |
Custom soap recipes |
Medium |
| Hot Process |
⭐⭐ (Moderate) |
1-2 weeks |
Rustic soaps, faster cure |
High |
| Rebatching |
⭐⭐ (Moderate) |
1 week |
Salvaging batches |
Low |
| Liquid Soap |
⭐⭐⭐ (Advanced) |
1-2 weeks |
Hand soap, body wash |
High |
Candle Wax Types Comparison
| Wax Type |
Burn Time |
Scent Throw |
Appearance |
Eco-Friendly |
Best Use |
| Soy Wax |
Long |
Moderate to strong |
Smooth, creamy |
Yes |
Container candles |
| Beeswax |
Very long |
Light natural scent |
Golden, rustic |
Yes |
Pillars, luxury candles |
| Paraffin Wax |
Medium |
Very strong |
White, smooth |
No |
Votives, tarts |
| Coconut Wax |
Long |
Excellent |
Soft, opaque |
Yes |
Premium blends |
| Gel Wax |
Medium |
Light |
Transparent |
Partially |
Decorative embeds |
Basic Candle & Soap Supplies
| Tool/Material |
Use |
Notes |
| Fragrance Oils |
Add scent |
Use skin-safe for soap |
| Colourants |
Add visual appeal |
Use candle/soap-safe dyes or mica |
| Thermometer |
Monitor temp |
Crucial for wax and lye |
| Scale |
Measure accurately |
Use digital kitchen scale |
| Molds |
Shape candles or soap |
Silicone preferred for easy release |
| Double Boiler |
Melt wax gently |
Prevents overheating |
| Stick Blender |
Blend oils and lye |
For cold/hot process soap |
| Wicks |
For candles |
Match size to container diameter |
| Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) |
For cold process soap |
Handle with extreme care |
Candle Wick Selection Chart
| Container Size |
Wick Type |
Notes |
| <2” |
Small cotton wick |
For small jars |
| 2–3” |
Medium cotton or wood wick |
Single wick candles |
| 3–4” |
Large cotton or wood wick |
Use stabilizer |
| >4” |
Double wick |
Even burn, avoid tunneling |
Fragrance & Colourant Usage
| Medium |
Fragrance Load |
Recommended Colourants |
Notes |
| Soap (M&P) |
1–3% |
Mica, liquid soap dye |
Avoid overheating |
| Soap (Cold Process) |
3–5% |
Mica, natural clays |
Fragrance may accelerate trace |
| Candle (Soy) |
6–10% |
Dye blocks, mica |
Avoid too much oil – fire risk |
| Candle (Beeswax) |
3–6% |
Natural powders |
Hard to scent, warm gently |
Step-by-Step: Melt & Pour Soap
- Cut melt-and-pour base into cubes.
- Melt in microwave or double boiler.
- Add fragrance and colour.
- Pour into molds.
- Let set for 1–2 hours.
- Unmold, wrap to preserve scent.
Step-by-Step: Soy Container Candle
- Melt wax to 170–180°F.
- Add scent at 150°F.
- Add colourant if desired.
- Secure wick in jar with sticker or glue.
- Pour wax at 130–140°F.
- Cool for 24 hours.
- Trim wick to ¼ inch.
Safety Tips for Soap & Candle Making
| Risk |
Solution |
| Lye burns |
Wear gloves, goggles, long sleeves |
| Fragrance sensitivity |
Use tested oils, follow usage limits |
| Wax fires |
Never overheat wax, use double boiler |
| Poor ventilation |
Work near open window or use exhaust fan |
| Child/Pet exposure |
Keep tools and ingredients stored safely |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Issue |
Cause |
Fix |
| Soap cracking |
Overheating, poor mold |
Pour at lower temp, insulate |
| Candle tunneling |
Small wick |
Use larger or multiple wicks |
| Soap sweating |
Glycerin attracting moisture |
Wrap soap in plastic wrap |
| Rough candle tops |
Cool too fast or drafts |
Use heat gun to smooth |
| Fragrance fades |
Scent burnt off |
Add at correct temp, store properly |
Business Tips for Selling Handmade Soaps & Candles
| Step |
Advice |
| Pricing |
Include cost of fragrance, packaging, and time |
| Branding |
Use eco-friendly packaging and unique scents |
| Labeling |
Include ingredients, burn time, scent notes |
| Legal |
Check local safety and labeling regulations |
| Markets |
Etsy, farmers markets, pop-ups, wholesale |
High-Profit Product Ideas
| Product |
Niche Appeal |
Profit Margin |
| Gift Sets |
Holidays, birthdays |
High |
| Themed Candles |
Zodiac, seasons, fandom |
High |
| Specialty Soaps |
Sensitive skin, exfoliating |
Medium-High |
| Massage Candles |
Spa, romance |
High |
| Wax Melts |
No-flame homes |
Medium |
Resources & Learning Communities
| Platform |
Best For |
Cost |
| YouTube (e.g. BrambleBerry, Royalty Soaps) |
Free tutorials |
Free |
| SoapQueen.com |
Recipes & guides |
Free |
| Facebook Groups |
Peer feedback, tips |
Free |
| Skillshare / Udemy |
Structured courses |
Paid |
| Local Classes |
Hands-on learning |
Varies |
Craft clean beauty and cozy vibes with handmade soap and candles, scents that tell a story and soaps that shine!