Creating your own DIY jelly soap is super simple and it's a fun project that kids will love to help with. You can customize the scent and look (different colors! glitter!), plus have complete control over the ingredients you use. Perfect for sensitive skin types!
Jelly soaps are a lot of fun and a cute way to encourage your kids to wash their hands. And they need all the encouragement they can get, am I right?
My son suffers with eczema and as I work a lot with my hands, they tend to be washed often and get really dry. Using Castile soap works great—it's gentle, chemical-free and acts as an emollient.
Ingredients
This jelly soap recipe is made with:
- Gelatin
- Castile soap
- Food coloring
- Geranium essential oil — I love the smell and it also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which is perfect for a soap. But you're free to choose any whatever essential oil you prefer. Here are a few essential oils soap blends.
Instructions
Step 1: Combine Salt and Gelatin
Add your salt and gelatin to a bowl. Mixing the salt and gelatin is a key step as this helps to separate out the gelatin granules and reduce clumping.
Step 2: Add Boiling Water
Next, add your boiling water and stir until the gelatin is dissolved. It is really important to make sure you use boiling water, otherwise the gelatin won't dissolve.
It also takes a minute or two for the granules to dissolve fully so keep stirring. Try not to stir too vigorously or the gelatin will end up on the sides of your bowl.
Step 3: Add Color
To reduce the amount of frothing in the soap, add the coloring next. Start with one drop of food coloring and give it a stir. Add more color if needed.
You can make several batches at once if you want to try more than one color.
Step 4: Add Castile soap
Add in the liquid soap and gently stir to combine.
If you want to add essential oils, add them to the liquid soap before you combine it with the gelatin.
Step 5: Pour Into Soap Molds
Finally, pour the liquid into your molds. Place it in the refrigerator and let it sit overnight or until firm. If you use small molds like a mini muffin tin, then you can create single use jelly soaps.
Note: If you used a wobbly silicone mold, first place it on a cookie sheet or plate before placing it in the fridge.
Gently pull the edges of the mold away from the jelly soap before you try to remove it. You can either flip the mold over or just carefully wiggle it out with your fingers.
Storing + Using Jelly Soap
Store the jelly soap in the fridge or it will melt. Keep it in a lidded container in the fridge for about 2 weeks. Simply take one out before a shower or bath.
To use, lather it in your hands or directly onto your body. It's basically a shower gel in disguise so it will feel cool on your body as it cleans. These are super fun for kids' baths!
DIY Rainbow Jelly Soap
Materials
- 2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup liquid castile soap
- Food coloring
- Essential oils
- Silicone molds, bowl and spoon
Instructions
- Mix together the salt and gelatin in a bowl, then add the boiling water and stir until dissolved.
- Add coloring and stir.
- Add essential oils to Castile soap, if using. Then stir the Castile soap into the gelatin mix.
- Pour the liquid mixture into the silicone soap molds. Refrigerate until set.
- Store finished soap in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.