September 10, 2024
What is felted soap?
Felted soap is soap wrapped in wool. By wrapping a soap bar in wool, it lasts longer and is not slippery to hold. It is mildly exfoliating when used. As an added benefit, wool naturally has antibacterial qualities, so it will hold up well in a shower climate.
Steps in pictures:
What you need to make felted soap:
- Use a bar of natural soap or make your own
- Purchase wool roving. Roving is a long narrow bundle of fiber. This process is produced in wool to make it ready to be spun into yarn- it is available on Amazon in a wide variety of colors or at most yarn shops
- You will need an old nylon stocking
Steps in the process:
- Use a vegetable peeler to soften the edges of the soap. Save the shavings for the lathering step.
- Lay out your roving.
- Completely cover the bar of soap in both directions. Wrap snuggly so no soap shows through.
- Next, cut your nylon stocking so it is about 6-7 inches long. Put the bar of soap covered with the roving into the toe of the nylon. Be careful to keep the roving in place. Tie a knot in the nylon close to the bar of soap.
Lathering up the soap to felt the wool:
- Now, fill a sink or large bowl with hot water. Gently submerge the bar in the water. Gently squeeze the bar under water. This will make the wool shrink around the soap.
- When the wool seems to be tightening, begin washing your hands with the bar for about 10-15 minutes. You will want to rub the sides and ends as well. This is where you can use your soap shavings, rubbing them on the outside of the nylon wrapped soap bar.
Finishing up:
- After 10-15 minutes, take the bar out of the nylon and rinse in cold water. It is felted when you run your fingernail across the seams and they will not separate. If you find they are separating, continue to wash the bar for a few more minutes.
- Lastly, lay the finished bar out on a dry cloth to dry out. This may take a few days to completely dry.
- For more ideas visit: http://diynatural.com
After lathering for 10-15 minutes, remove from nylon
