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If you’re a newbie to making soap, this easy Oatmeal Soap recipe is an easy place to start! I’ve shared a bit about how I learned how to make my own soap at home (because if I can do it, so can you!), as well as my favorite recipes for Lavender Oatmeal Soap and Honey Oatmeal Soap using the same base recipe. It’s so easy, you’ll be making soap like a pro in no time!

A dish full of bars of homemade oatmeal soap wrapped with paper and decorative string.

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Isn’t it fun when you learn something new?

Soap-making was new to me. And I have to tell you, it is definitely fun, rewarding, and surprisingly easy! (I’ve included only the easy stuff below!)

After reading some about making soap from scratch and listening to extremely helpful friends on Facebook, I learned a little about what to do and what not to do. Most especially, I learned not to make it from scratch — visit your local craft store, Michael’s, to be exact.

Soap making is a great project for showers, parties, little girl parties if you have extra adults on hand to help with the hot soap, and bridesmaids gifts or gift giving for any occasion.

After some trial and error, I have now made 34 bars of soap. And while I’m still learning, I do know that it is wonderfully fun and fantastically easy. And if I can find more storage space or willing recipients, I plan to keep making bars of soap.

For more detailed information on recipes, etc., Amazon carries a book called Basic Soap Making, which got me started down that path. I can really recommend it!

Things I’ve Learned About Soap Making

Go to Michael’s and buy soap base; they have many kinds, including glycerine, Shea butter base, olive oil base, goat’s milk base, etc.
Add an “essence” rather than a fragrance. An essence is an essential oil, a natural plant derivative, rather than a man-made fragrance.
Toast additives when you can, like oatmeal, to bring out its natural oil.
Grind additives to an almost powder-like consistency.
Use dedicated utensils for soap making. I used a coffee grinder for my lavender. And while I thoroughly scrubbed the grinder, there was still a hint of lavender in my husband’s coffee. Not good (unless, of course, you’re drinking tea!).

Soap Recipes I’ve Used

From everything I could glean from experienced soap makers; most agree that you should use 1 tablespoon of additive to 1 pound of base.

To begin, you will cut your solid soap base into approximately 1 x 1-inch squares and place them in a heavy glass container. I used a large Pyrex liquid measure. You will microwave the soap in 10 to 15-second segments until the base is entirely liquid.

Then, while still hot, add whatever you like. After completely incorporating your additives into the soap base, I stir with a heat-resistant plastic utensil, pour the liquid into your soap molds, and let sit for approximately an hour at the minimum.

Unmold… and enjoy.

It’s that simple. Molds can be as practical as plastic containers you already have around your house; yogurt or butter containers, or you can purchase molds at the craft store.

Here are the recipes I used:

Lavender Oatmeal Soap

1 pound of Shea butter soap base
1 tablespoon of toasted oatmeal, ground
1 tablespoon dried lavender buds, ground
16 drops of lavender essential oil

Depending on your mold; this will yield about 4 full-size bars of soap.

Honey Oatmeal Soap

1 pound of Shea butter soap base
1 tablespoon of toasted oatmeal, ground
1 tablespoon of honey

Depending on your mold; this will yield about 4 full-size bars of soap.

How to Make Oatmeal Soap

Complete step-by-step instructions are in the card at the bottom of this post, but this will give you a quick overview of how easy it is to make homemade soap!

Cut the soap base into 1×1-inch squares (or buy them in cubes), place them in a glass container, and microwave until completely melted.
Grind the oats in a blender or spice grinder and stir into the liquid soap along with honey or lavender.
Pour into the molds and let sit for about an hour (or when completely set) before unmolding.