I’ll be honest, I love making melt and pour soap, but sometimes the process can feel a little repetitive. Melt, pour, wait, unmold, repeat. So I started looking for ways to add a little something extra to my bars without making the process feel fussy. And that’s when I discovered soap curls.

Soap curls are thin slivers of soap that you peel or shave from a larger block. They naturally roll into these delicate, ribbon-like shapes that can be used as decoration, like on these gift box soaps.

Let ’em harden and they have this crunchy texture that feels like a gentle, satisfying scrub when you use them. If you’re into ASMR, the sound and feel of them is surprisingly relaxing, too.

You can also embed soap curls into soap loaf molds for a really beautiful, layered effect. It’s an easy way to make your soaps look more professional and artisan without a ton of extra effort.

So if you’re ready to add a little texture and visual interest to your melt and pour projects, let’s start with the basics.

Curling Tools

• Vegetable peeler — This is one of the best tools for making thin, delicate curls roughly ½” – 1″ wide. It gives you nice control and creates those pretty ribbon shapes.
• Y-shaped peeler — If you want slightly thicker curls with a bit more texture, a Y peeler is perfect. It shaves off wide, thick ribbons that can be turned into roses or embedded into soap bars.
• Sharp knife — Use this if you want straight, wide, rustic-looking curls that you shape by hand.
• Clay trimming tools — These are great for making small, wabi sabi curls. They give you more control for creating organic-looking ribbons that have a really pretty imperfect feel.
• Citrus zester — This creates lots of small, thin curls. It’s perfect if you want a more delicate, confetti-like look from fine, festive ribbons.

Soap Making Supplies

These supplies are pretty standard to all melt and pour soap projects. The only one you may not have seen pop up before is glycerin, but the rest are things you should have in your soap making toolkit already. 

• Melt and pour soap base — Technically, you can use clear or white, depending on the look you’re going for. Clear bases work great if you want translucent, glassy curls, while white bases give you a more opaque, classic soap look. In my experience clear base is bit “stretchier” and gives you more curl than white soap base, thanks to the extra glycerin. But if you’re dead set on using white soap, I have a fix for it’s lack of stretch (see below).
• Vegetable glycerin — This is the secret ingredient for making your soap more bendable and easier to curl. If you’re using white soap base, extra glycerin is a must for getting those pliable curls that hold their shape. Either, you can add a tablespoon or two of liquid glycerin to white soap base. Or you can mix clear (glycerin) soap base with white soap base and get the same affect.
• Mica or liquid soap colorants — These are optional, but they’re a fun way to add color to your curls. I like using mica for a shimmery effect, but liquid colorants work just as well if you want solid, vibrant colors.
• Fragrance or essential oils — Also optional, but adding a scent elevates your soap ever so slightly. Just make sure to use skin-safe fragrance oils or essential oils.
• Microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup — You’ll need this for melting and pouring your soap base. A glass measuring cup with a pour spout makes things easier, but any microwave-safe container will work.
• Spray bottle with rubbing alcohol — This helps eliminate air bubbles on the surface of your soap and can also be used to help curls stick to the top of a soap loaf if you’re using them as decoration.

Methods for Making Soap Curls

Here’s a high-level tutorial on the different ways to make soap curls. The method you choose depends on the tools you have and the look you’re going for. If you’d like more detailed instructions for working with soap base, check out our Complete Guide to Using Melt-and-Pour-Soap.

Prepare the Soap

1. Start by cutting your soap base into manageable chunks so it melts evenly. You don’t want to put big blocks in the microwave, because they’ll heat unevenly and can scorch in some spots. Note: for this project, I used a 50-50 blend of white soap base and glycerin soap base. If using white base, make sure to add glycerin in some form or another, either by adding 1-2 tablespoons of liquid glycerin or by blending with clear soap base.
2. Melt the soap in the microwave in short 20-30 second bursts. Stir it frequently to make sure you get a smooth, even consistency.
3. If you’re using essential oils or mica for color, mix them in while the soap is still warm.
4. Pour the soap into a silicone mold (the temperature of the melted soap base doesn’t matter here) and let cool. For smaller curls, I recommend using small, single cavity molds, which keep the curls from getting too long and breaking. For big, thick curls, you’ll need to use a loaf mold instead. If you’re not sure, just refer to the method instructions below.

How To Make Soap Curls Using Tools

1. Vegetable Peeler

Pour soap into a single cavity mold and let cool. Once your soap is unmolded and fully cooled, hold the block firmly in one hand. If it’s slippery from the glycerin, use a paper towel for a better grip. Run the peeler along the long, flat side of the block.

Let the soap naturally curl as you peel. If it doesn’t curl on its own, use your fingers to gently shape it into a ribbon while it’s still flexible.

Be careful! The thin curls can be fragile, especially if your soap is on the harder side.

2. Citrus Zester

Create a small bar of soap using a single-cavity mold. Drag the citrus zester lightly across the wide, flat side of a soap block. This creates lots of small, delicate curls that look almost like confetti. It’s a great option if you want a more subtle, layered effect.

3. Clay Trimming Tools

Pull the tool lightly across the flat face of a bar of soap. The curls will have an imperfect, organic look that I think looks really nice.

To keep creating clean curls, use a knife to cut the tattered soap off the bar and create a flat surface to work from. This prevents the curls from getting messy or uneven.

4. Y Shaped Peeler

Instead of creating a small block of soap, pour roughly 1 inch of melted soap into the bottom of a loaf soap mold. Let it cool completely.

Cut the cooled soap into 2 inch wide strips that’ll fit your Y peeler. Then run the peeler across the soap in smooth, even strokes to create thicker strips that you can form into curls using your hands.

5. Make Soap Curls by Hand – The Thin Pour Method

Pour a thin (approximately ⅛ – 1/16 of an inch) layer of soap into a loaf mold. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to set partially. The timing depends on how thick your layer is, but you want it firm enough to handle without breaking.

Remove the layer from the mold and cut into 1-2″ wide strips. Then roll or curl it by hand while it’s still pliable. Allow the curls to set and firm up a bit more before using in soaps.

Ways to Use Soap Curls

Once you’ve mastered the basics of making soap curls, the fun part is figuring out how to use them. There are so many ways to get creative with these little ribbons, and honestly, experimenting is half the fun.

1. ASMR “crunchy soap”

If you’re more into the sensory side of soap making, you can decorate the tops of your bars with lots of curls to create that satisfying, crunchy texture. The sound and feel of peeling and using these soaps is oddly relaxing.

2. Embedding them in soap loaves

One technique I love is using the Pour-Thin method to create a long sheet of soap, then rolling it long-ways (like a Fruit Roll-Up) to make a tube-like curl. You can embed this inside a loaf soap mold for a really stunning cross-section when you cut the bars. For more tips on embedding shapes in soap, check out this post.

3. Mix and match for unique effects

Try mixing colors for a confetti look, or vary the curl thickness to add dimension. You can also combine soap curls with shredded soap for even more texture. Embedding curls in transparent soap creates a really cool, suspended look, while white soap gives you a more classic, layered look.

4. Making soap roses and floral designs

After making curls with either a vegetable peeler or cheese planer, you can roll them in a way that looks like roses. It takes some practice, but the results are gorgeous and perfect for special occasion soaps or gifts.

I’ve found that thicker curls (like those made with a cheese planer) creates better roses because the soap has enough thickness to stand up and look like petals. 

5. Soap Curl Gift Soap

These festive gift box soaps look like tiny wrapped presents, complete with overlapping gold ribbons and soap curl bows on top. And since they’re made with melt and pour soap, they make perfect last-minute holiday gifts.

Soap Curl Troubleshooting

Making soap curls can take a little practice, so don’t feel bad if your first batch doesn’t turn out perfectly. Here are some common challenges and how to fix ’em.

Cracked curls — If your curls are cracking or breaking as you make them, try adding 1-2 tablespoons of liquid glycerin to the melted soap. This increases flexibility and makes the soap easier to work with.

Air bubbles inside curls or embeds — Air can get trapped when you’re embedding curls into a soap loaf. To fix this, embed them at an angle so any trapped air has a chance to escape as the soap sets. Also make sure to spray the soap both before and just after pouring it. 

Curls falling apart — If your curls are fragile and falling apart after you’ve made them, lightly spritz them with rubbing alcohol. This helps set them and keeps their shape intact.

Curls melting when embedding or pouring over — This happens when the soap you’re pouring is too hot. Make sure your over-pour soap is at a lower temperature (around 140°F or below is best). This way, it won’t melt the curls when it makes contact.

Uneven or floppy curls — If your curls aren’t holding their shape or they look messy, try using a sharper peeler, creating a thicker curl or working with firmer soap. You can also play around with adding a bit of glycerin to the base or adjusting your peel technique to get cleaner, more consistent ribbons.

FAQ

Can I use any melt and pour soap base?

Not all bases are created equal when it comes to soap curls. Bases that are too soft can end up mushy and won’t hold their shape. On the flip side, bases that are too hard may not curl nicely and could crack or break instead. You may need to try out several different soap brands or types to find one with a good balance between firmness and flexibility.

Do I have to use glycerin in the pour-thin method?

Glycerin helps make the soap more pliable and helps your curls hold their shape, especially when working with thinner curls. But it’s optional depending on your base. Some melt and pour soaps are already pretty flexible, so you might not need it at all. You made need to test a soap base and see how well it holds up.

Can I fragrance or color the curls?

Yes! You can add fragrance and color while the soap is melted. Just make sure everything is mixed well before pouring into your molds.

How long should I dry curls for ASMR?

If you’re going for that crunchy, satisfying ASMR texture, use thin curls and let them dry for about 5 weeks in a well-ventilated space. This gives them time to harden up and develop that crispy feel.

Can I curl cold process soap too?

Yes, cold process soap can work for curls once it’s fully cured and hardened.

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