Use this quick and easy homemade poppy seed soap tutorial with an endless combination of colors, scents, and textures. It only takes a few ingredients to make a completely unique blend that you can claim as your own. Today we’re making lemon poppy seed and almond poppy seed soap!
Melt and Pour Homemade Poppy Seed Soap Tutorial
Making homemade soap can be as easy or as hard as you want it to be. As for me, I choose the easy route. The combination of colors, scents, and textures is endless and it only takes a few ingredients to make a completely unique blend that you can claim as your own. I have always made the melt and pour type soaps and had fun using this homemade poppy seed soap recipe to make some fun variations recently. When you make melt and pour soaps you aren’t really “making” soap. You are melting down an already formed soap base and added scents and textures to it. If you are looking for the cold press method, this isn’t it. I’d love to learn that someday too!
Here is the homemade poppy seed soap recipe which you can also use for any homemade soap recipes and make your own in less than 30 minutes.
Poppy Seed Soap Ingredients
Soap Base
You can find 2 lb. blocks of melt and pour soap base at craft stores like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. There are several types to choose from. I’ve used glycerin soap in the past and chose shea butter soap this time. You could also use a goats milk soap base as well. They are about $9, so be sure to bring your 40% off coupon for the best deal around.
Scents
Almond and lemon scent oils (soap scents or essential oils). They are usually $4-$5 for a small bottle at craft stores or Etsy.
Coloring
Coloring your soap is optional. I chose to add a few drops of yellow to help the lemon one stand out from the almond scented soap.
Add-Ins
The zest of 1 lemon (for the lemon soap)Â and poppy seeds for both soap recipes.
Soap Mold
Plastic or silicone is easy to find at craft stores. Plastic molds are the most inexpensive route and come in so many fun shapes. I used a silicone mold. You can also use a bread pan and cut your soap into bars.
Glass measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Small spatula
Baking Sheet
How To Make homemade poppy seed soap
Place in refrigerator for 15 minutes or until set. Carefully pop out of the mold.
Smooth, fragrant, and ready to pamper yourself or package up for a friend.
Is melt and pour soap gentle on sensitive skin?
Does melt and pour soap need to cure?
How do you get the bubbles out of melt and pour soap?
Does melt and pour soap expire?
Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!
I’m going to have to try this! It looks so good! I saw recently at a boutique what looked like homemade soaps wrapped in fabric. I thought it was adorable and added such a cute touch.
Thanks for the great tutorial. The soaps look perfect and I’d love to smell them! Cindy @ sunsetcoasting.blogspot.com
They look wonderful – almost too good to use.
thank you for sharing! these are beautiful … going to give the recipes a try! ♥
I definitely have to give this a try. They would be perfect for gifts and left for house guests
Hmmm… I just tried making a batch and was disappointed. I shea butter for my base and used a metal mold but sprayed it with cooking spray and I can’t get them out. Put them in the freezer to try and shrink more and still could not get them out until I ran a knife around the edge of one and beat the back of the pan to death. One of the 4 came out but the edges are all dug up since I used a knife. All the poppy seeds are on one side of the bar (bottom). Jill Mama Ging
Hi Jill, that is so disappointing to hear. It sounds like you did everything right. Was it a bread loaf pan that you used or a metal shaped mold? I’ve only used bread pans when it comes to metal ones and after it completely set up, I ran a knife around the edge (like you did) and it popped right out. Then I sliced it into bars. (like here: https://gluesticksblog.com/2011/12/candy-cane-soap.html)
As for metal shaped molds, I’ve never used those kind before. Just silicone and plastic, so I’m not sure if there are any better tips for releasing the soap once it is finished.
I’m not sure why the poppy seeds would have settled to the bottom either. The shea soap is fairly sturdy and the seeds are so light. I wonder what happened to make them do that! I wish I had more answers for you Jill. I will look and see what I can find about using metal molds and if I see anything other than spraying it and running it under water, I will post it for you.
Brandy
Hi Brandy, I used a brand new Wilton 9 cavity petite loaf pan. I finally did get them out after a long time in the freezer. Maybe I added too many poppy seeds? You didn’t mention how much to add. Also when I added the coloring, I stirred it very well but it didn’t seem to make a difference in the color which I thought was odd. Turns out, all the coloring was also settled on the bottom with the seeds. If only you could see a pic of my soap LOL. I am going to try and re-melt my bars today and see if I can get a better result. I really hope so as I wanted to use some as end of year teacher gifts. Stay tuned 🙂 Jill
I have heard that you can not use metal pans…sounds like that is the problem….Just getting started in soap making but have done alot of research. Glass dish greased with Vaseline is suppose to work.
I do see it says 1 tsp of seeds. I didn’t measure but I don’t think I added much more than that and I used 12 oz of shea butter instead of your 10 so it should’ve been ok. I guess we shall see how it turns out the 2nd time around. LOL
Yes, keep me posted! If you scroll to the bottom of the ingredients list, I gave the measurements that I used as a reference. I used 1 tsp. of seeds for my batch which was 10 oz. of shea butter base. Also the measurements and amount of coloring too. I put it at the bottom because everyone’s soap molds are different sizes so you can adjust accordingly. So I hope that helps you with a reference. Good luck!
ok, so I tried this again. I actually strained out all the seeds and only put in a little bit. Again, as soon as I poured into the molds, they (and the grated orange peel I added) sank to the bottom. I’m also noticing that mine is more clear in color and yours is milky, which led me to check my shea butter and mine is 100% unrefined organic shea butter. I Googled the difference between refined and unrefined (check it out here http://www.ehow.com/about_5375961_refined-vs-unrefined-shea-butter.html – interesting tidbit about the use of toxins in the refining process)and it also mentioned that refined is milky white (like yours) and mine (unrefined) is a clear when melted but goes to a grayish yellow so I’m wondering if that also is the difference in the consistencies. I also noticed with the first batch that I’d call it a lotion bar and not soap because it certainly didn’t lather or have soap properties but man alive, did it leave my hands soft! IF I were to do this again (big IF!)I think maybe I’d let it settle a bit after I poured it into the mold and then sprinkle in some seeds & grated peel. And yes, the unrefined has a stronger smell so LOTS more essential oil 😉
That would be the issue–you used shea butter, not shea butter *soap base*. There is a HUGE difference between the two! The soap base has already had all the oils (i.e., shea butter), lye, etc. turned into soap, and you’re just melting and pouring (with, of course, any additives such as fragrance, colorants, and “scrubby stuff” [in this case, poppy seeds]). The shea butter is, well, just shea butter (not soap of any kind).
I guess you learn something every day! I didn’t know there were two types of shea butter soap base. Maybe because the only place I’ve ever purchased it was Michael’s and they only had the one type at our local store. I wish your results had been better for you, Jill. My mom makes her own lotion bars with shea butter (not the melt and pour soap type like mine) and they do not lather either. She just rubs them on her legs, etc. She loves them. I sent her some of these for Mother’s day and she said she really liked them too, but they were definitely soap vs. the lotion bars that she uses for moisturizing. Thank you for updating me on your outcome and thank you for taking the time to comment and let me know good/bad how your project turned out!
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/32-ounce-shea-butter-soap-base-617803/
This is what I used. I am going to add a link to the post so that others can easily find it too.
If the melt and pour soap is too warm the poppy seeds (or any additive) may sink to the bottom (which normally becomes the top when unmolded). Metal molds are not recommended for soapmaking – not only because the fragrance oil (or lye in the case of cold process soap) could adversely react with the metal, but also because it is, in some cases, next to impossible to unmold. On the other hand, using freezer paper to line a metal container, shoe box, plastic drawer liners, etc., will make it a useable soap mold and super easy to unmold.
Hi, Brandy! I can’t say I’m really into all this crafts world, but I gave it a shot with these soaps of yours! Everything went perfect during the preparation, I didn’t add poppy seeds since I didn’t have any, I used tangerine essential oils and I added the zest of half a lemon. They smell like cake!! I used silicon molds and now they are in the fridge! I’m anxious now that I read the comments about not coming out of the molds easily, but I’ll wait and see and keep my fingers crossed! 🙂
The name is Maria, by the way. From Greece.
Hi Maria! I’m so glad you tried out the recipe! I’m sure they will pop our right away since you used silicon molds. I bet they smell amazing! Have a great weekend!
This is great! I recently found a pattern for a crocheted soap holder. I wanted to make them for Christmas gifts this year so I’m going to make your poppy seed soap to go in them. Thank you! But where do you get the poppy seeds? And I’m planning on making a lot. Do you recommend investing in the silicone molds?
This is great! I recently found a pattern for a crocheted soap holder. I wanted to make them for Christmas gifts this year so I’m going to make your poppy seed soap to go in them. Thank you! But where do you get the poppy seeds? And I’m planning on making a lot. Do you recommend investing in the silicone molds?
This is great! I recently found a pattern for a crocheted soap holder. I wanted to make them for Christmas gifts this year so I’m going to make your poppy seed soap to go in them. Thank you! But where do you get the poppy seeds? And I’m planning on making a lot. Do you recommend investing in the silicone molds?
This is great! I recently found a pattern for a crocheted soap holder. I wanted to make them for Christmas gifts this year so I’m going to make your poppy seed soap to go in them. Thank you! But where do you get the poppy seeds? And I’m planning on making a lot. Do you recommend investing in the silicone molds?
Hi Mary!
You can find poppyseeds in the baking aisle right next to the spices! I bought a small container for a few bucks and it was plenty for my small batch. I love my silicone mold. The soaps just pop right out, perfectly shaped. I have used plastic molds too and they work good, a little more tapping on the counter to loosen them up. Before investing in a silicone one I’d suggest seeing if you can find a plastic one that is the same size and see how it works. Good luck!! 🙂
I just went to Michael’s and they didn’t have any silicone molds. I may have to settle for plastic ones this time. While I was there, I noticed there were 2 types of soap. One was regular and the other was suspension formula. All your add ins sink to the bottom of the regular kind, but they get suspended all through the suspension kind! I only noticed because I read that someone else had trouble with that.
I think we figured out that the other gal actually bought shea butter (plain) instead of shea butter soap base. So she ended up with something completely different than soap and it didn’t lather at all. I didn’t buy the suspended kind, because I didn’t see it, but it definitely couldn’t hurt to buy that one if they offer it! Good to know!
Your melt and pour soap turned out just great! I love the idea of poppy seeds as an exfoliant in your batch of soap. =)
Thank you Anne-Marie! Now I just need to figure out what combination to make next…it is so much fun!
Really excited to try this, I’m hoping it turns out well because I want to make up a whole bunch later as part of little X-mas goodie bags! 🙂
Love, love, love the ideas here. My biggest concern, however: I do not have a microwave. Can this be done stove top or should I hang out at my mom’s house and use hers?
You could do this on a stove with a double boiler!
You mention “10 ounces” of soap base….is this liquid, after it has been melted or 10 ounces by weight? I got the 2# package from Micbeals….so how much of that do I use?
Hi Sheryl! I used 10 oz. of the 2 lb. soap base cut into cubes. I weighed it before melting it. You may need to adjust how much you use depending on how many bars you are making and the size of your mold. Mine soap mold made 2×3″ bars so I just gave my measurements as a reference. Hope that helps!
Thank you, Brandy! I went ahead and used 10 fluid ounces (about ten or eleven cubes from the 2# block). That usually got me four bars. Thanks for replying!
I’ll definitely be trying these 🙂 I shared your link on my Facebook page and everyone loved the idea 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153754070695217&set=a.353593675216.349539.323548680216&type=1&stream_ref=10
Thank you Amanda! Awesome! They are so fun to make, I just posted a raspberry one yesterday that is perfect for Valentine’s Day. I hope you enjoy making them too!
Hi Brandy, your soap recipe looks awesome and I’m really interested in trying to make soap myself! I’ve seen those melt & pour bases from Michael’s and Hobby Lobby before but I never wanted to try them because when I looked at the ingredients I saw that they were full of SLS (sodium laurel sulfates) and weren’t really soap. The reason I want to make my own soap is because my little boy has terrible eczema and can’t handle harsh detergents with SLS. Have you ever used a different brand of melt & pour soap base or know of where I could find one so I could make your recipe without the detergents? It really looks awesome and like a fun project to do with my son! 🙂 Thanks.
Hi Jessica, I’m sorry I haven’t looked into that before. The only thing I would do would be to google it or search on amazon.com. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help! Brandy
Hi Jessica, I totally understand soap having SLS which are horrible for skin but especially when you or your children have eczema or just very dry skin- I use the soaps from Super Store or Loblaws or even health stores that are all natural and they work great on both of my children! Unfortunately you arent making them but the bars of soap I use are about $1.29 and theres a bunch of yummy scents to pick from:) hope this helps you and your son
Jen
Thanks so much for the post. I made these for Christmas present and for a swap that I went to. I love them, they are easy to make and you can make any variety you want. I, too, could not find the silicone molds at Michael, but the plastic ones are fine. Thanks again! getting ready to make some heart-shaped soaps for Valentine’s Day!
Cathie
Thanks for letting me know, Cathie! They are so much fun, I just finished up some Valentine’s day ones too! 🙂
You can find silicone molds in the baking section at Michael’s.
These look wonderful and I am planning to try them very soon
Your soaps are beautiful!
I love the exfoliation that poppy seeds give to soap.
http://www.angelasbathtub.com
I am having a hard time finding “sweet almond” fragrance oil-where do you get yours?
Hi Karen! I found my bottle at Michael’s in their soap making section. I looked online to see if they had anything available and I only saw “honey almond”. Not sure what the difference would be, my “sweet almond” scent smells just like almond extract. Good luck! 🙂
Hi…I’m interested in trying this recipe. My question is what is considered a “soap base”? Are you referring to something like Ivory soap or a soap bar that is unscented?
Hi Mia! You can buy soap blocks (2 lb.) at Michaels, Hobby Lobby and Joanns. They come in goat’s milk, glycerin, shea butter and other varieties. That is the base of your soap. This is a melt and pour variety. The soap is pretty much already made, I just melt it down and add scents and add-ins to it! Hope that helps! I will attach a link to a type of soap base: http://www.amazon.com/Goat-Milk-Soap-Base-scored-2-Lb/dp/B00653QGT0/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1408304998&sr=8-10&keywords=soap+base
Have a great weekend!
Hi
I made this super fast and easy via microwave melting. I added about ten drops essential oil (pure) of lemon and about 3/4 of a whole lemon’s zest. However I don’t have sensitive skin or allergies. …I just love lemon soaps and have grown tired of paying 6 or 7 dollars for the designer brands. This was perfect.
Rena C., Minneapolis
Fabulous! So glad it worked out perfectly for you! Lemon is my absolute favorite scent!
I tried looking up where you purchase your soap mold but GoDaddy pops up?? Where did you purchase the molds from?
Hi Karen, it looks as though the site no longer exists (Wholeport). You can find silicon molds at craft stores, plastic molds work too! I will have to edit that post now and remove the link. Thanks for letting me know!
No problem 🙂
SO glad I stumbled on your page. I’m just going to get started in the melt and pour soap making. What brand of oils do you find you are using? I would love to get any tips or hints for the newbie ready to get started. Thank you so much.
Hi Kelli! I haven’t really settled on any certain brands as I just use them for scent and not for the essential oil uses. I know friends swear by Doterra, but I used some I bought off of E-bay from a company that had great reviews. Good luck! Melt and pour soaps are the only ones I know how to do and they are fairly simple. You’ll have lots of fun!
Do you think these would be ok – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RXI0B4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3PKW778P6JAD9 I appreciate you replying so quickly. I’m so excited to get started.
I think those would be just fine!
Thank you so much. I’ll let you know how they turn out.
Hi! Can I use vanilla bean instead of poppy seeds?I thought I would use the ones I used to make my vanilla extract. This way I get the vanilla scent
Hi Cris! I’ve never tried that before, but I’m assuming it would work!
Hi Brandy, have you ever tried poppy seeds in a normal melt and pour soap base? I used this one (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261576230606?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&var=560447599444&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) and all the poppy seeds rose to the top…
Thanks
Hi Lauren! I haven’t tried it in that base. I’m wondering what would have caused them to rise like that instead of mix like mine did. Very strange.
They came out so perfect. I just wanna smell them.
Chris, with the vanilla beans, be cautious throwing them in. They’re exspensive and you wouldn’t want to waste them. 😉 If you put them in whole, the soap will seal the pores of the bean and you won’t get any scent. The best thing to do would be to scrape the sides of several beans for their pulp and add that in as you would the poppy seeds, then add some vanilla essential oil for added fragrance. 🙂 Since true vanilla e.o.s are crazy exspensive, just make your own, since you’ve already made extract! It’s not as potent, but it’s a good DIY option for soap and it smells like heaven! The steps are the same as making your own extract, except after you split and clean the beans, bruise them well and cut them into smaller pieces, then replace the alcohol with an oil like jojoba. You can lightly heat it, or just stick it in the windowsill cold. Shake it up every day. Let it brew for 2-4 weeks. Add a tsp. full of that to your soap along with fresh pulp and that will be the best soap ever!
Thanks Jessica! Next time I get some vanilla beans I’ll infuse them in oil and use on my next batch of soap.
BTW, Brandy I took your advice and went to my local health food store. They gave me blocks of plain, clear, all natural glycerin soap and said that it was the base for all melt-and-pour soaps and that I could stick it in the microwave or in a Dutch oven! They gave me some raw goat’s milk to mix in with it so I had the base and I got to make all your lovely soaps! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! 🙂
Wonderful! And thank you for sharing your tips with the vanilla beans as well! What a wonderful scent that would add!
Question! Help!… I made the mistake of making the soap in a pyrex dish that I sprayed with veg. oil – and I still can’t get the soap out. I learned my lesson, and just bought silicone molds from Amazon. So, what’s the best way to re-melt the soap in the pyrex dish so I can put in the silicone molds? They look and smell amazing btw – thank you for posting 🙂
Hi Jennifer! I would just microwave it on 20-30 second intervals until it has melted enough to pour! Should work out great and harden again in your new molds! Good luck! 🙂
I love how simple this recipe is! Many other soap making recipes can be really complicated.
I love your mold with the rounded corners, but can’t find one online anywhere. Would you be willing to share your source?
Hi Beth! Unfortunately the company that I ordered mine from is no longer in business 🙁 I haven’t seen another mold like it, but if I do, I will send you an e-mail!
The great thing about the melt and pour method is you can use any kind of silicone mold. I got some heart shaped cupcake molds for crafting. Silicone is so much easier to use and there are so many fun shapes! Thanks for this recipe!
Hi Brandy, really love this recipe and really want to try it, but I’ve also been having the problem where everything I add to my soaps sinks to the bottom (or top?), whether rose petals or tea powder. I’ve tried over 20 soaps and it hasn’t once been successful. I’m using a raw goat’s milk melt and pour soap base. Any ideas? I’m a bit scared to specially order poppy seeds online (can’t find any in this country!) if they’re all gonna sink too. Otherwise, I really want to try your lovely recipe! 🙂
Hi! Thank you for the comment! I would try letting the soap mixture maybe sit for a minute or two so that it can start to cool off and maybe even thicken just a bit before adding the mix-ins? It’s so strange since it worked great for the soaps that I made, but I think this could work. Let me know! 🙂
Hi,
Where is your soap mold from?
Hi! It was from wholeport which is no longer in business. I believe you can find silicone molds on amazon as well! Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
Thank you!
I’m so glad I found this post! Lemon Poppy Seed sounds amazing.
Hello, your soaps are beautiful. I have just one questions by using natural ingredients (like the lemon, lime, poppy seed etc) Will that give the soap a shelf life. I want to make honey oatmeal using real honey and oatmeal as well. Not sure if the soap is not going to be use fairly soon it may spoil.
Hi Leonor! I’m actually not sure about a shelf life for the soaps. These were all used fairly quickly. Honey doesn’t go bad so I’m assuming it would be fine for soaps and last quite awhile!
Thanks for the great tutorial! Do you think you could use this as body soap? Or more as a hand soap?
Hi Lindsey! You could probably use this as body soap. I’ve just noticed that it doesn’t’ lather as much as a Dove body soap bar would, but you could try it!
Wow those soaps look edible! We have added too much poppy seeds and the soaps had a rough exfoliation. What else can we use besides the poppy seeds, we are looking for something softer.
Your soap is beautiful… and sounds like it would be wonderful to use. 🙂
I love this idea Brandy, it’s so simple and easy to do and it must smells heavenly. Thanks a ton for the inspiration. I’m going to try make some for Mother’s day
These look absolutely wonderful!
Pinning to try later!
Visiting via the Girl Creative Link up!
I would like to try making this soap. I bet it smells delicious, and you make it seem so easy. Great tutorial.
These look great Brandy! I bet they feel great on the skin, too! Plus, I somehow really like your handwritten tags 🙂
*Maisy
Hey, Brandy! Just wanted to let you know that we loved your Homemade Poppy Seed Soap Recipes so much when you shared it at the #HomeMattersParty last week, we’ve FEATURED it THIS WEEK! Hope you can check it out when you get a sec. Happy Friday!!!
http://lifewithlorelai.com/2017/04/20/home-matters-linky-party-132
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai / Home Matters Linky Party
I bet these smell amazing! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
These look so pretty. I can imagine how good they smell. Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday. I wanted to let you know that you are one of my Featured Picks this week. Come by and check it out. http://www.farmhouse40.com/inspire-me-monday-128
Just wanted you to know that I shared this with my readers as a round up of Mother’s day gift ideas. Thanks for linking up to the create, link inspire party.
I am brand new to soap making and was wondering something. It is June and if I make the soap now will it still be good for Christmas? What should I wrap it in to keep it good, if that’s possible?
Hi Linda! It should last just fine until Christmas!
Wow!Theses DIY Poppy Seed Soaps look so adorable and great! I also want to make some with animal-shaped,Thank you for sharing this DIY tutorial.
I am so excited to make this my mom has already bought the ingredents!!!
Yay! It’s so fun!
I made the soap, it was soooo cool! Great idea for the poppy seeds!!!
I’m so glad! Thanks for the update, I’m so happy it worked out and that you love it!