This easy eucalyptus soap recipe is the perfect soap making project for beginners. The easy, step-by-step tutorial shows how to make melt and pours soap with eucalyptus essential oil. DIY eucalyptus soap cleanses gently and soothes the skin. Included are tips for storing and decorating the eucalyptus soap bars + printable gift tags.
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Homemade eucalyptus soap
If you’ve spent any time on CHC, you may know how much I love beginner-friendly melt and pour soap recipes – and this eucalyptus soap recipe is a prime example! Just like my honey lemon lavender soap, sea salt soap, or citrus soap, this DIY eucalyptus soap is easy and quick.
This natural soap recipe has a refreshing scent, thanks to eucalyptus essential oil, and rich lather you expect from a homemade soap. You can also download free printable gift tags to turn your DIY soap bars into a thoughtful, zero waste gift for the special people in your life!
This project is a great soap making recipe for beginners because melt and pour soap is super easy to work with. However, if you’re interested in making soap from scratch, hop over to Lovely Greens, where Tanya shows how to make cold process eucalyptus soap.
Eucalyptus soap benefits
What is eucalyptus soap good for? Eucalyptus has been used in aromatherapy and as a natural remedy for centuries. Today, eucalyptus essential oil is widely known to ease respiratory problems, help with coughs and open clogged airways.
The topical use of eucalyptus essential oil comes with many skin-soothing benefits, too. Aborigines, the native population of Australia, were the first in treating several skin conditions with this plant. Several studies support the effectiveness of eucalyptus oil for the skin. (Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Natural soap with eucalyptus essential oil offers these potential benefits:
- Soothing: The oil’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties may soothe skin irritation, redness, burns, and itchy skin.
- Healing: The antibacterial qualities of eucalyptus are said to be beneficial to heal minor cuts, lacerations, and sores.
- Deodorizing: Eucalyptus soap not only removes sweat and dirt, but also leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean.
- Reviving: The oil can relieve achy muscles, tired joints, and topical pain.
- Circulation: Eucalyptus oil also boosts circulation and increases blood flow.
- Bug-repellent: Eucalyptus’ strong aroma also keeps insects at bay and can help to keep you safe from bug bites.
- Relaxing: Finally, eucalyptus imparts a rich scent that will relax your mind.
Ingredients for DIY eucalyptus soap
It’s just a few materials to homemade soap. Here’s what you need to make eucalyptus melt and pour soap from scratch:
- Any melt and pour soap base will work for this soap making recipe. I used both a goat’s milk soap and an aloe vera soap base. Shea butter soap base, oatmeal soap base, and olive oil soap base are excellent options, too.
- Eucalyptus essential oil gives the soap a refreshing scent and amazing skincare benefits. Scroll down to learn more about eucalyptus essential oil and see different essential oil blends for melt and pour soap.
- Dried eucalyptus leaves (optional): I sprinkled my homemade eucalyptus soap with crushed, dried eucalyptus leaves. If you don’t have those, feel free to decorate your soap with any other dried herbs you have available, e.g. peppermint or rosemary.
- Colorant (optional): I used mica powder to color my easy melt and pour soap recipe, but you can also opt for liquid soap color or color blocks. I mixed a little green and blue mica to create a green-blue hue to match the color of eucalyptus leaves.
- High-proof alcohol in a spritz bottle is needed to dissolve any bubbles that form on the soap after pouring. You can use rubbing alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or vodka.
The ingredient amounts are on the DIY card below.
Soap mold
You have serval options to choose from when selecting a mold. The mold needs to be heat-resistant since the melted soap base is 120°F / 50°C and over. I chose a simple, round plastic mold for my eucalyptus hand soap. Soft silicone molds will work well, too. Have a look at these soap molds:
- round mold*
- rectangular mold*
- square soap mold
- oval soap mold
- ornamental soap mold
- mold with rounded edges
- heart mold
- mold for massage bars
- flower molds
- molds with leaf embeds
*The recipe is enough to make 4 x 4-oz soap bars, meaning it’s enough to make 4 round or 4 rectangular soaps. You may get more or less product if you use another soap mold.
Other soap making equipment
- paring knife to cut the soap
- heatproof measuring cup or container to melt the soap base
- spoon to combine the soap ingredients
- glass stirrer or skewer to apply the gold soap droplets
- oven mitts
- cutting board or tray to lift the mold after pouring the soap
Eucalyptus essential oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is made by steam-distilling dried eucalyptus leaves. The essential oil has a strong, aromatic smell and must always be diluted before it can be used.
Botanists have discovered more than 700 hundred species of eucalyptus. So it’s no surprise that different types of eucalyptus essential oil exit. Here’s a quick overview:
- Eucalyptus Globulus is the most common eucalyptus essential oil. The oil has a pronounced herbaceous scent. Pick this EO if you love a strong eucalyptus aroma.
- Eucalyptus Radiata has a crisp and clean scent with hints of citrus, slightly softer than Eucalyptus Globulus.
- Eucalyptus Dives (kid-safe) has a minty and woodsy odor, that will leave your skin smelling fresh and clean.
- Lemon eucalyptus (kid-safe) is the mildest of the eucalyptus family. The EO has a sweet lemony scent, that reminds me of citronella.
You can make this easy eucalyptus soap recipe with any of these essential oils. They will all produce fragrant DIY soap bars. Stick to Eucalyptus Dives or Lemon Eucalyptus if the soap will be used by children.
A high-quality essential oils are a must for this homemade eucalyptus soap recipe. If you’re in the US, I recommend the essential oils from Plant Therapy and Mountain Rose Herbs. Tisserand offers a great selection if you’re based in the UK.
Essential oil blends for eucalyptus soap
Eucalyptus is a versatile essential oil. You can use it as a single aromatic or blended with other oils to create interesting scent combos. I have put together a few essential oil blends for eucalyptus soap below. Of course, feel free to experiment and create your own custom blends.
- Grapefruit eucalyptus soap: 30 drops eucalyptus + 30 drops grapefruit
- Lavender eucalyptus soap: 25 drops eucalyptus + 17 drops lavender
- Lemon eucalyptus soap: 25 drops eucalyptus + 20 drops steam-distilled lemon
- Lemongrass eucalyptus soap: 30 drops eucalyptus + 18 drops lemongrass
- Orange eucalyptus soap: 25 drops eucalyptus + 20 drops sweet orange
- Peppermint eucalyptus soap: 35 drops eucalyptus + 20 drops peppermint
- Pine eucalyptus soap: 25 drops eucalyptus + 25 drops pine
- Rosemary eucalyptus soap: 30 drops eucalyptus + 17 drops rosemary
- Spearmint eucalyptus soap: 30 drops eucalyptus + 15 drops spearmint
- Tea tree eucalyptus soap: 35 drops eucalyptus + 15 drops tea tree
How to make eucalyptus soap
How do you make eucalyptus soap? Eucalyptus melt and pour soap isn’t difficult to make, but it is important to follow a few simple steps for a great scent and beautiful appearance. After you’ve gathered your materials and tools, follow these instructions to make your own DIY eucalyptus soap:
Step 1: Portion soap base
- Cut the soap base into 1 in / 2.5 cm cubes.
Step2: Melt the soap
- Transfer the soap cubes into a heat-resistant vessel, for example, a large glass measuring cup.
- Then melt the soap in the microwave in 30-second intervals until liquid. Stir between each burst.
- Melt and pour soap gets very hot, so be careful not to burn yourself and wear oven mitts to protect your hands.
Step 3: Color and scent
- Once the soap is fully melted, stir in the essential oils, color/mica powder and dried eucalyptus leaves until well distributed throughout the soap.
- MP soap tends to form a skin. Use a spoon to remove it.
Step 4: Pour the soap
- Place the soap mold on a cutting board or small tray, which makes it easier to lift the mold.
- Next, spray the mold with a bit of alcohol. This helps the soap adhere better to the mold.
- Pour the liquid soap into the mold.
- Spritz the with alcohol to dissolve any bubbles.
Step 5: Chill the soap
- Let the soap harden in the fridge (approx. 1 hour) or freezer (ca. 30 minutes).
Step 6: Unmold the soap
- Once the soap is solid, pop the eucalyptus soap bars out of the mold. First, pull the mold away from the sides of the soap. Then push the soap out of the mold from behind.
Step 7: Decorate (optional)
- Place the soap bars on a board or tray lined with plastic wrap/clingfilm.
- Microwave additional soap base in a small heat-resistant container until melted.
- Stir gold mica into the liquid soap.
- Using a glass stirrer or skewer, splash droplets of gold soap on each soap bar. Rewarm if the soap gets too sticky to work with.
- Let cool.
The last step is optional. I think the gold pattern adds pizzazz and elegance.
Storage instructions + shelf life
How to store eucalyptus melt and pour soap
Melt and pour soap contains more glycerin than other types of soap. The glycerin allows us to melt and repour the soap. But the ingredient also attracts moisture from the air, which can cause the soap to soften and sweat (smell beads of water on the soap).
To avoid this, wrap each soap bar tightly in plastic wrap/cling film and store unused soap in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. I wish there were more eco-friendly ways for storing soap, but so far, I haven’t found any.
Heat-activated shrink-wrap is a good choice if you plan to sell or ship your handmade soap creations.
How long goes eucalyptus soap last?
If made with fresh materials, this eucalyptus soap recipe will be good for 12 months. Eucalyptus oil has a long shelf life (3-4 years) but melt and pour soap should be used within a year.
Cyna created a set of free printables that you can print on sticker paper to use as labels. Or print them on cardstock to use as gift tags like you see in the pictures. I wrapped each eucalyptus soap bar with twine and a eucalyptus leaf. Such a cute homemade gift idea, right?
More melt and pour soap recipes
If you like this easy eucalyptus soap recipe, you might also love these:
- lavender soap
- sea salt soap recipe
- sugar soap scrub bars
- homemade citrus soap
- turmeric soap
- moisturizing soap for dry skin
- antibacterial hand soap
- pumpkin spice soap
- peppermint soap
- liquid hand soap
- DIY exfoliating soap
- homemade cold process soap recipe
Eucalyptus Soap Recipe Instructions
Yield: 4 x 4-oz soap bars
Active Time: 15 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Difficulty: easy
This easy eucalyptus soap recipe is the perfect soap making project for beginners. The easy, step-by-step tutorial shows how to make melt and pours soap with eucalyptus essential oil. DIY eucalyptus soap cleanses gently and soothes the skin.
Materials
Eucalyptus Soap
- 1 lb / 450 g melt and pour soap base (e.g. goat’s milk or aloe vera)
- up to 60 drops / 3 g / 0.1 oz eucalyptus essential oil (see below for blends)
- 1 tbsp dried crushed eucalyptus leaves (or peppermint)
- 1 tsp green mica powder (optional)
For decorating (optional)
- 2 oz / 60 g melt and pour soap base
- 1 tbsp gold mica powder
Tools
- round soap mold
- paring knife
- cutting board
- large heatproof measuring cup
- spoon
- glass stirrer or skewer
- oven mitts
Instructions
- Portion soap base. Cut the soap base into 1 in / 2.5 cm cubes.
- Melt the soap. Transfer the soap cubes into a heat-resistant vessel, for example, a large glass measuring cup. Melt the soap in the microwave in 30-second intervals until liquid. Stir between each burst.
Tip: Melt and pour soap gets very hot, so be careful not to burn yourself and wear oven mitts to protect your hands. - Color and scent. Once the soap is fully melted, stir in the essential oils, color/mica powder and dried eucalyptus leaves until well distributed throughout the soap.
Tip: MP soap forms a skin. Use a spoon to remove it. - Pour the soap. Place the soap mold on a cutting board or small tray, which makes it easier to lift the mold. Next, spray the mold with a bit of alcohol. This helps the soap adhere better to the mold. Pour the liquid soap into the mold. Spritz the with alcohol to dissolve any bubbles.
- Chill the soap. Let the soap harden in the fridge (approx. 1 hour) or freezer (ca. 30 minutes).
- Unmold the soap. Once the soap is solid, pop the eucalyptus soap bars out of the mold. First, pull the mold away from the sides of the soap. Then push the soap out of the mold from behind.
- Decorate (optional). Place the soap bars on a board or tray lined with plastic wrap/clingfilm. Microwave additional soap base in a small heat-resistant container until melted. Stir gold mica into the liquid soap. Using a glass stirrer or skewer, splash droplets of gold soap on each soap bar. Rewarm if the soap gets too sticky to work with. Let cool.
Notes
Eucalyptus Soap Essential Oil Blends
Eucalyptus is a versatile essential oil. You can use it as a single aromatic or blended with other oils to create interesting scent combos. I have put together a few essential oil blends for eucalyptus soap:
- Grapefruit eucalyptus soap: 30 drops eucalyptus + 30 drops grapefruit
- Lavender eucalyptus soap: 25 drops eucalyptus + 17 drops lavender
- Lemon eucalyptus soap: 25 drops eucalyptus + 20 drops steam-distilled lemon
- Lemongrass eucalyptus soap: 30 drops eucalyptus + 18 drops lemongrass
- Orange eucalyptus soap: 25 drops eucalyptus + 20 drops sweet orange
- Peppermint eucalyptus soap: 35 drops eucalyptus + 20 drops peppermint
- Pine eucalyptus soap: 25 drops eucalyptus + 25 drops pine
- Rosemary eucalyptus soap: 30 drops eucalyptus + 17 drops rosemary
- Spearmint eucalyptus soap: 30 drops eucalyptus + 15 drops spearmint
- Tea tree eucalyptus soap: 35 drops eucalyptus + 15 drops tea tree
Safety tips
Essential oils are highly concentrated. Never apply them undiluted, and don’t take them internally.
Eucalyptus essential oil can cause skin sensitivity on sensitive skin. If you have never used these oils on your skin before, do a patch test:
- Dilute 1 drop essential oil in 1 tablespoon carrier oil (e.g. coconut oil, sweet almond) and apply to your forearm or back.
- The essential oil is safe for your skin, if you don’t notice any irritation after 48 hours.
Eucalyptus Globulus and Radiata aren’t suitable for children. Instead, prepare the recipe with Eucalyptus Dives or lemon eucalyptus to make the soap safe for kids.
Discuss the safe use of essential oils with a doctor medical caregiver if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a medical condition.
Eucalyptus Soap Label
Tab the button to download your free printable eucalyptus soap label.
Download printable
