Soap making kits are a great way to introduce soap making at a beginner level. You don’t need to worry about what ingredients to buy, what equipment you need or what recipe to use, it’s all in one!
However, it can be difficult to know which kit is right for you. Whether you're treating yourself or getting it as a gift, this blog will help you decide which kit you need!
So keep reading to discover your soap making kit…
Contents
- What Are The Different Soap Kits?
- How To Choose Your Soap Kit
- Want To Buy A Soap Kit As A Gift?
- Final Thoughts
What Are The Different Soap Kits?
There are 5 soap making kits and they all fall into two soap categories, melt and pour soap kits and cold process soap kits:
Each kit includes different ingredients and equipment, so you can choose one based on what you already own and what you need.
Our standard melt and pour kit and standard cold process kit contain all the ingredients you need to make one type of soap. These kits do not contain soap making equipment, they only come with soap moulds and the cold process kit includes basic safety equipment.
Our large melt and pour soap kit is a great middle ground option. It contains ingredients to make two types of soap. It only includes some basic equipment like jugs and spatulas, but not a full set of equipment.
Our ultimate melt and pour kit and ultimate cold process kit are complete sets containing ingredients for two types of soap, a full set of equipment, and decorative extras.
How To Choose Your Soap Kit
Let’s go through all of the important questions you need to ask yourself in order for you to make the right decision!
1. Which Type of Soap Making Interests You Most?
- Melt and pour soap
- Cold process soap
Melt and Pour Soap
This is the most common type of soap making for complete beginners. It is very simple, all you need to do is melt the soap base, add your fragrances and colourant, then pour it into your mould. Once set, you don’t need to wait for it to cure, you can just use it straight away!
It is also better for those that are nervous about handling sodium hydroxide. The sodium hydroxide is already saponified within the soap base, so the soap base is not hazardous to handle.
While you don’t have to handle caustic substances like sodium hydroxide, you do need to handle essential oils which can irritate the skin.
Melt and pour soap making doesn't offer as much freedom as cold process soaps do. You are limited to only customising the soap with fragrances and colourants.
If you want to read more on melt and pour soap, read this in-depth guide!
Cold Process Soap
We usually recommend trying cold process soap making after you've tried melt and pour soap making. That way you have an idea of the process and handling essential oils.
Cold process soap making is the most versatile soap process. You can customise the scent, colourant and carrier oils. You can add waxes, clays, botanicals and more!
However, to make cold process soap you need to handle sodium hydroxide. You can read all about the safety of sodium hydroxide here. Following the appropriate safety measures will help reduce these risks. You just need to take more care when making cold process soap.
If you want to read more on cold process soap, read this in-depth guide!
2. Do You Already Own Soap Making Equipment?
The equipment you already own will help decide which kit is right for you as some kits come with a full set of equipment, but some don’t come with any.
Here is a list of the equipment you generally need for the two types of soap making:
Don’t Own Any Equipment
If you don’t own any soap making equipment, then you’ll need the ultimate soap kit. This comes with absolutely everything you need to make soap at home!
Own Some Of The Equipment
If you have some pieces of equipment, then you’ll need to look at what is included in the kits and what isn’t.
If you’re making melt and pour soap, the large melt and pour soap kit may be the most suitable. It comes with the basic equipment needed, but not a full set.
If the only thing you’re missing is a soap mould, then either standard kit would be the best option. However, if you’re making cold process soap and you’re missing a stick blender, then you’ll need the ultimate soap kit.
Own All Of The Equipment
If you have all the equipment needed already, then you just need a standard soap kit!
3. How Much Creative Freedom Do You Want?
All of our soap kits can be customised using mica powders, but some kits offer more creative freedom!
Our ultimate soap kits include decorative dried petals and unique soap moulds so you can explore more creative ideas.
4. What’s Your Budget?
Our soap making kits range in price, with the standard kits being at the lower end and the ultimate kits at the higher end, so there’s a kit for every budget!
Cheapest - Expensive
- Standard Melt and Pour Soap Kit
- Standard Cold Process Soap Kit
- Large Melt and Pour Soap Kit
- Ultimate Melt and Pour Soap Kit
- Ultimate Cold Process Soap Kit
If you want to choose the most affordable option, consider what equipment you already own. If you already have some of the things you need, then the standard kits or large melt and pour kit would be the most cost effective options.
While the ultimate soap kits are more expensive, they are an all in one kit. Once you’ve got it, you have all the equipment and supplies you’ll need!
Ultimately, it’s worth comparing what’s in the kits to what you already own, to work out the best option for your budget.
Want To Buy A Soap Kit As A Gift?
Soap making kits make amazing gifts for anyone who enjoys getting creative! But if you're buying for someone else, it can be difficult to know which kit they'd enjoy most.
The easiest way to decide is to think about their previous soap making experience.
Completely New To Soap Making - A complete beginner will need the ultimate melt and pour soap kit!
For Those Who Have Tried Melt & Pour Soap Making - As they have some experience in soap making, they might enjoy a cold process soap making kit! You can choose between the standard kit or ultimate kit, depending on whether they own all of the equipment already.
However, if you don’t think they’ll like cold process soap making, then gift the large melt and pour soap kit or standard melt and pour soap kit!
For Those Who Have Tried Cold Process Soap Making - For someone who is a beginner at cold process soap making, get them the standard cold process soap kit as it is likely they already own all of the equipment.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a soap making kit doesn't have to be complicated!
Once you know what you need, what experience you have and which type of soap making you’re most interested in, then the soap kit will come to you!
Ready to get started? Choose your soap making kit…
Standard Melt and Pour Soap Kit
Ultimate Melt and Pour Soap Kit
Standard Cold Process Soap Kit
Ultimate Cold Process Soap Kit
Continue Reading
Now you know which soap kit you need, why not read more?
- Explore more melt and pour soap recipes like this winter snowflake soap recipe!
- Interested in cold process soap recipes? Check out this gentle goats milk soap recipe!
- Learn how to use natural colourants in cold process soap with this paprika soap recipe!
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