This homemade lemon soap recipe smells amazing, it’s definitely one you’ll want to try. The lemon zest gives the soap a great texture and the citrus scent will leave your hands feeling rejuvenated. With only three ingredients required this soap recipe is easy to make and makes a wonderful handmade gift.
DIY Lemon Soap
If you’ve been following along my soap making adventures this year I have to say that this is my favorite so far! For this recipe I used the goat’s milk soap base, because it makes soap making a breeze and it’s available at most craft stores. Beside the citrus scent what I like is that I don’t need to add any colorant to the soap, it’s totally optional. The lemon zest mixed with the melted soap produces a yellow color on it’s own. To make lemon soap you will need a soap base (goat’s milk, shea, or glycerin), lemon essential oil and lemon zest. 
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Homemade Lemon Soap
Supplies:
1 1/2 cups Goats Milk Soap Base
or Shea Butter Soap Base
, cubed
4-6 drops Lemon Essential Oil
Dried Lemon zest of 3-4 lemons
More DIY Soap Ideas
- Lavender Lemon Soap
- Exfoliating Loofah Soap
- DIY Peppermint Soap
- Honey and Oatmeal Soap
- DIY Watermelon Soap
- Pink Himalayan Salt Grapefruit Soap
Step one: Cut soap into cubes and microwave in 30 second intervals (I like to use a large Pyrex measuring cup to melt the soap in). This recipe makes 3 bars of soap and I used about 15 cubes of goat’s milk soap base.
Step two: Melt soap for about a minute. Add another 15-30 seconds if it’s not completely melted.
Step three: Once soap cubes have liquified add a few drops of the lemon essential oil and the lemon zest; stir well.
Step four: Pour into soap molds and allow to harden for at least one hour. Press mold to release soap.
***Update: For longer lasting soap omit the lemon zest and use yellow soap dye for color (if desired). The essential oil will provide enough lemon scent without the lemon zest.
Looking for more homemade Mother’s Day gift ideas? Here are some of my favorite!
How to make bath bombs + video tutorial
Thanks for stopping by!
This looks so pretty. I’ll bet it smells good, too!
Beautiful. I love lemon, and I love lavender. And I love them together. Your lemon bars (soap) look edible. Lemon is such a happy smell. (Very good pictures, by the way). Lynaea
Love this idea Crystal..I bet it smells wonderful!
Fun! I’ve never tried making my own soap but it is something I want to try. When I was shopping recently I smelled some anise soap and since I love black licorice, it smelled amazing!
Will be sharing on FB. This has to be such a refreshing, feel clean soap. Great gift.
Consider yourself hugged,
https://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2013/05/homemade-lemon-soap-mothers-day-gift-ideas.html
I found your blog via The Shabby Creek Cottage Transformation Thursday and I’m loving your homemade spa recipes. I’m now following you through email! Great ideas!
Love lemon! I bet this would make the whole bathroom smell amazing!
Oh I love the smell of fresh lemon! I bet this is fabulous soap. I need to try it :)
Oh, this is awesome! I love it!!!
I love all your soaps but that one sounds really great … and it’s so pretty and springlike! Thanks for sharing at Project Inspire{d}!
I can almost smell this through my computer …you take such tantalizing photos :)
Great gift ideas!! I’ll give it a shot.
Your soap-making adventures are as equally YUMMY-looking as well as clean and delightful. So fun, Crystal!
Thanks for this tutorial…I’ve always wanted to try making soap.
Stunning! My sister makes homemade soap and I’ve always been intrigued, but she does the lye method. This looks so much easier for a newbie like me. Plus, that color…
That is such a pretty soap and I bet it smells amazing!!!!
Have you tried using fresh basal to make soap? Do you think it would work?
Elaine » I haven’t but I think it would make a lovely addition! I would make sure the basal is finely chopped. Thanks for stopping by! :)
I don’t own a microwave. Could I melt the soap in an old pot instead?
Thanks!
Bernadette » Definitely! I’ve made soap in a double boiler several times, just stir the soap periodically to make sure it melts evenly. Thanks for stopping by! :)
So gorgeous!!!!
You have to be careful of adding fresh lemon rind , it can start to break down , mold / bacteria . Not trying to be a killjoy , just safety first . Add a preservative , when using something in your soap that can break down .
Grapefruit seed extract, rosemary extract and vitamin E oil are good preservatives .
Debbie » Hi Debbie, that’s a great tip! I’ve added vitamin e oil to homemade scrubs but didn’t think to add it to soap. Thanks for sharing! :)
If you use the soap right away I assume you don’t have to worry about this? Just want to be sure. :)
How much of vitamin e oil would you use? And could you break open the capsules?
This sounds amazing. Lemon is one of my favourite scents! Thanks for the simple recipe!