How to make Liquid Soap with Glycerin Soap blocks

If you have ever wondered how to make liquid soap at home, especially a smooth, usable liquid soap that does not turn into a gloopy mystery jar on the bathroom bench, Emma of Spiral Soaps has shared a wonderfully helpful tutorial on making liquid soap with glycerin, featured over on The Soap Bar.

Liquid soap making can feel a little more intimidating than basic melt and pour soap or even simple handmade bar soap, mostly because there are so many questions that pop up before you even begin. How much glycerin do you use? Does the soap thicken as it cools? Can you use it straight away? What makes it different from turning leftover bar soap into liquid soap? And, very importantly, how do you stop it from becoming something that looks more like wallpaper paste than hand soap?

Emma’s tutorial walks through the process clearly and answers the sort of practical questions most of us have when trying homemade liquid soap for the first time. I always appreciate a tutorial that explains the “why” behind the recipe, not just the steps, because soap making has a sneaky way of going sideways when you skip the details.

Using glycerin in liquid soap helps create a smoother, gentler finished soap and can improve the feel of the soap on your hands. It is especially useful if you are interested in making homemade liquid hand soap, refill soap for pump bottles, or experimenting with a more from-scratch soap-making method.

This is a great read if you are ready to move beyond basic soap projects and want to understand liquid soap making properly. It is also a handy companion if you have been researching making liquid soap from bar soap and want to compare that quick no-waste method with a more traditional glycerin liquid soap process.

I know all my questions were answered, which is always a relief before pulling out the soap pot and making a mess of the kitchen. If liquid soap has been sitting on your “one day I’ll try that” list, this is a helpful place to start.

Get all the details in Emma’s liquid soap with glycerin tutorial here.

. Get all the details here.

If your idea of Halloween fun includes a little bubbling, fizzing magic—without the sugar crash—these DIY Halloween Bath Bombs are your new favorite trick and treat. Think spooky swirls, candy-free gifts, and a little self-care potion-making, all rolled into one bewitching bath-time delight.

These are perfect for mums who’d rather stir up a bath bomb cauldron than bake another round of cupcakes for the class party. They also make fang-tastic gifts for teens, neighbours, or anyone who needs a little seasonal sparkle in their soak.

Why You’ll Love These Spooky Bath Bombs

Kid-safe ingredients – No creepy chemicals here
Great for gifting – Pop into mini cauldrons, treat bags, or mason jars
Smells like fall – Think pumpkin spice, candy corn, or sweet orange
Budget-friendly – Uses pantry staples and affordable citric acid
Easy to customize – Add spiders, glitter, glow-in-the-dark mica, or even a surprise toy

Ingredients

1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup Epsom salt or fine sea salt
2 tsp sweet almond oil (or coconut oil)
1 tsp water or witch hazel in a spray bottle
10–15 drops essential oil (sweet orange, lavender, cinnamon, or candy-like blends)
Natural colorants or skin-safe mica powder (orange, purple, black, green)
Optional: eco glitter, mini plastic spiders or Halloween charms
Silicone molds or mini plastic cauldrons

How to Make Halloween Bath Bombs

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and Epsom salt. Whisk until it’s smooth and uniform—like a dusty spellbook.

2. Blend the Wet Ingredients

In a small bowl, mix your carrier oil and essential oils. Add your chosen colorant and glitter here too. If using black, go light—it can stain tubs if overdone.

3. Combine with Care

Slowly drizzle the wet mixture into the dry mix, whisking continuously. It should feel like damp sand. If it clumps when squeezed, you’re ready. Mist lightly with water or witch hazel if too dry.

4. Add Hidden Surprises

Press a small plastic spider, glow cube, or toy into the center for a trick-or-treat effect!

5. Mold It Up

Spoon the mixture into your molds, pressing firmly. Let them dry at least 24 hours before popping out.

Spooky Variations to Try

Spider Surprise

Hide a plastic spider inside and use black mica for a creepy crawl effect.

Pumpkin Spice Delight

Add a dash of cinnamon and orange essential oil with orange coloring.

Glow-in-the-Dark Witch Bombs

Use glow mica and store under light for a fun bathroom glow!

Boo Bombs for Kids

Make ghost-shaped fizzies using a silicone mold and sweet vanilla oil.

Packaging Ideas for Gifting

Wrap in cellophane with twine and a tag: “Drop in warm water and summon a spooky soak!”
Nestle in mini cauldrons from the dollar store
Use kraft boxes lined with Halloween tissue paper for classy spooky gifting
Add a punny printable tag like “You’re the bomb!” or “Witch, please!”

Tips & Tricks

Don’t over-wet your mixture—it can fizz prematurely.
Use gloves to avoid stained fingers.
Let kids help with colors and pressing (just maybe keep the glitter far away unless it’s a full moon).

Why These Are Better Than Candy

Let’s be honest—October sugar overload is real. These bath bombs are a charming alternative that still feel like a treat. Plus, they turn your bathroom into a spa and a mad scientist lab.

Whether you’re making them for your kids’ school party, teen Halloween sleepovers, or your own pumpkin-scented peace and quiet after bedtime chaos, these DIY bath bombs are a crafty way to keep Halloween fun—and fizzy.

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