Honestly, have you ever walked down the soap aisle in the supermarket and felt … bored? Like, really? It’s just shelf after shelf of the same old stuff.

All those fancy labels screaming “moisturising!” or “all natural!”, but deep down most of them smell the same – flowers or lemons, right? It’s as if they’ve forgotten that soap can be, well, fun, that it’s supposed to smell “manly” but actually smells like cheap cologne.

The thing is, soap doesn’t have to be boring. Think about it – why settle for a boring white rectangle when you can have something that smells like freshly cut grass after the rain or maybe even a summer barbecue?

Making your own soap isn’t as hard as it sounds. It’s more like a science experiment. But instead of a messy kitchen, you end up with a bar of soap that’s uniquely yours.

If you want to try it yourself, you’ll need a few things – the basics are:

• Lye (sounds scarier than it is),
• Oils (like coconut or olive oil – pretty standard stuff)
• and Water.

After that, it’s up to you.

Want colours?

• Throw in some Mica powder or
• even food colouring if you’re feeling brave.

Fragrance?

• Essential oils are your best friend.

And if you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle in

• Dried flowers,
• Coffee grounds or
• even Sand for an exfoliating scrub effect. (Not beach sand, though, as that’s a gritty disaster waiting to happen).
  

Here’s where it gets interesting. You can shape your soap into anything you like. Want to make a sports ball soap for the die-hard sports team in your life?

Easy!

Want something ridiculous, like soap in the shape of a penguin?

Why not!

The internet is full of moulds for every weird and wonderful idea you’ve got. But the thing is, soap-making isn’t just about creativity, it’s also about connection.

There’s something deeply satisfying about giving someone a bar of soap you’ve made.

• Imagine handing your grandmother a rose and chamomile scented bar and seeing her face light up.
• Or giving a mate a scented bar of soap that smells like the forest after a rain shower.

It’s personal. Thoughtful. A little bit of you in every bar.

Oh, and here’s a thought, you could even turn this into a side hustle. Handmade or handcrafted soaps are all the rage at markets.

People love things that feel personal, especially when they’ve got that personal touch from soaps inspired by the names of famous trees or the salty smell of a walk on the beach … etc. People will love that, especially tourists.

And let’s not forget the bonus of soap-making. It is a strangely satisfying way to relax. It’s messy, sure, but in a good way. The kind of messy where your hands are busy, your brain switches off and you’re suddenly in this zen-like flow. Almost like baking, except your cake lasts for weeks in the shower.

So the next time you find yourself staring at rows of uninspiring soaps in the supermarket, ask yourself:

Could I do better?

Because honestly, you probably could. All you need is a bit of curiosity a dash of creativity, and maybe a pinch of madness. And gloves.

Always gloves.