Making Soapwort Soap: My First Homemade Batch

Soapwort is beautiful but also invasive. It spreads quickly, often showing up where you don’t expect it. I never planted any. One day I went walking with my daughter and saw a huge patch growing under our trailer. I decided to try something new. When I saw this I thought, Could I turn this wild plant into real Soapwort soap?

First Experiment with Soapwort Soap

After that, I started by collecting leaves and flowers. I simmered them in water, letting the natural saponins release. The liquid turned into a gentle soap. It worked well on my skin. It felt mild, soothing, and natural. To make it even better, I added a few drops of lavender essential oil. The fragrance was calming, and the soap smelled amazing.

However, there was one thing missing. It did not bubble like the soaps I usually use. That surprised me, but it also made me curious to try again.

Why Soapwort Works as Soap

The cleaning power comes from saponins. These natural compounds foam slightly when mixed with water. As a result, Soapwort has been used for centuries to clean fabric, skin, and even hair.

Most of the saponins are found in the roots. The leaves contain some, but not as much. This explains why my first batch, made with leaves and flowers, was mild. Next time, I plan to try the roots alone, or roots mixed with leaves, to create a stronger cleanser.

What I Learned from My First Batch

The soap worked. It was gentle and left my skin soft. The lavender oil gave it a relaxing scent. However, the lather was light and didn’t foam much. For this reason, I plan to add natural boosters in the future.

What could help? Ingredients like yucca root or a small amount of castile soap could increase bubbles. As a result, the next version of my Soapwort soap should be both gentle and foamy.

How to Preserve Soapwort Soap

Fresh Soapwort soap doesn’t last long. It spoils quickly at room temperature. Thankfully, there are ways to preserve it:

Refrigerate: Keeps it fresh for about a week.
Freeze in ice cubes: Perfect for making small, ready-to-use portions.
Add natural preservatives: Vitamin E oil or rosemary extract can extend shelf life.

In addition, freezing is my favorite option so far. It lets me make a big batch and use it slowly.

What’s Next for My Soapwort Soap Experiments

This first try was only the beginning. My next batch will use the roots, since they contain the most saponins. I also want to test a root-and-leaf mix. In addition, I plan to try natural bubble boosters. Each step teaches me something new.

Finally, I want to compare preserved batches and see which method keeps Soapwort soap fresh the longest. My goal is simple: to create a natural, gentle, and foamy soap that works well and smells beautiful with lavender oil.

🛒 Want to Try Soapwort or Other Natural Soaps?

If you’re curious about making your own Soapwort soap, you don’t have to wait until you find a wild patch. You can buy everything you need online. Here are some good starting points:

More Soap Making Inspiration

If you enjoyed this experiment with Soapwort, you might also love my guide on how to make cold process soap. It’s a different method but equally rewarding. Linking these projects together lets you explore both ancient herbal traditions and modern natural soap crafting.

How to Make Soapwort Soap: Easy, Natural, and Skin-Friendly