Discover the artful and practical craft of DIY felted soap in this step-by-step tutorial, where colorful wool transforms ordinary bars into luxurious, exfoliating works of functional art.

Welcome to our DIY felted soap tutorial. We will take you through the creative and enjoyable process of making your own felted soaps.

They’re a delightful fusion of crafting and practicality that results in unique, beautiful, and gentle exfoliating bars that are perfect for personal use or as thoughtful handmade gifts.

Three good reasons to make felt soap of your own. It has a built-in washcloth. It’s simple and cheap, and it’s almost too pretty to use!

What is Felted Soap? What is the Purpose of Felted Soap?

Felted soap is just what it sounds like. It is felted wool wrapped around a bar of soap. The wool functions a washcloth or shower puff that makes your soap last longer.

 Wool is used since it is anti-bacterial. Plus, it works as a great exfoliant for removing dull, dead skin.

Things You’ll Need to Make a DIY Felted Soap Bar

Soap bar — Unscented, natural soap bars (castile or glycerin work well)

Wool roving in various colors — Merino or alpaca wool is ideal if you want quality wool. You can use a single color or create a marbled effect by combining different colored wool strands.

Bowl of hot water

Scissors

Dish/extra bowl to catch water

Towel — For drying

String/twine — Optional if gifting 

How to Make a DIY Felted Soap Bar

1 — Prepare the wool.

Cut a strand of wool that is both long and wide enough to fold over and cover your bar of soap, approximately 6-8 inches long. 

2 — Wrap the soap.

Spreading and fold the wool to cover all areas of the soap.

Begin by covering one side of the soap, then wrap the other side, making sure the entire soap is encased in a thick layer of wool.

3 — For a marbled rainbow effect, add colors.

Cut other colors and lay over base to create a design or texture. Don’t get too attached to this step because it won’t keep it’s shape too much in the end.

4 & 5 — Wet the wool.

Dampen the wrapped soap with hot water. Use your hands to gently press the wool, making sure it adheres to the soap and starts to hold its shape.

Repeat this step until it is entirely soaked through.

6 — Shape the wool.

Begin squeezing the soap gently to the contours of the soap (Kind of like you would to mold clay) while keeping your hands and the soap wet.

You’ll keep forming the wool until it is felted enough to keep its shape on its own. (We shaped ours for about 10 minutes just for good measure.)

7 — Lather and massage.

Once your wool is no longer rippled and has formed a smooth and sturdy layer over the soap, quickly submerse the soap in hot water. If the wool is tight enough to wash your hands with, then the finished product will be secure enough to hold up.

8 — Start felting.

Carefully remove the soap from the fabric and continue to gently massage and roll the soap between your hands. Begin gently smoothing the wool with small circular motions for several minutes to get a really tight layer.

The heat, friction, and soapy water will cause the wool fibers to interlock and felt together.

9 & 10 —  Dry the felted soap.

Place the felted soap on a soap dish or towel to dry. Pat soap with a towel to get rid of excess water and let air dry thoroughly. It will take a day or two to dry completely, depending on the humidity in your area.

11 & 12 — Wrap with twine and gift.

 

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