Felted soap has become a popular handmade craft because it’s practical, beautiful, and incredibly easy to make. Wrapping soap in wool creates a natural washcloth around the bar, making it last longer and providing gentle exfoliation. Whether you sell handmade soap or enjoy crafting at home, felting is a fun project that adds a special touch to any bar.
In this guide, you’ll learn what felted soap is, why it’s useful, and exactly how to felt soap step-by-step.
What Is Felted Soap?
Felted soap is a bar of soap wrapped in wool fibers and then wet-felted until the wool shrinks tightly around it. The wool acts like a built-in washcloth, creating a soft, scrubby texture that gently exfoliates the skin. As the soap is used, the wool continues to shrink and tighten, making the soap last longer.
Why Felt Your Soap?
Felted soap isn’t just pretty—it has practical benefits:
1. Natural Exfoliation
The wool fibers provide a mild scrub that helps remove dead skin without being too rough.
2. Longer-Lasting Soap
The wool wrap slows down how fast your bar dissolves.
3. No Need for a Washcloth
The soap and scrubber are combined into one convenient product.
4. Naturally Antibacterial
Wool contains lanolin, giving it natural antimicrobial properties.
5. Great for Gifts & Selling
Felted soap looks premium, colorful, and handmade—perfect for craft fairs and Etsy shops.
What You Need
You only need a few simple materials:
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A bar of soap (handmade or store-bought)
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Wool roving or wool batting (100% wool only)
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Warm water
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A bowl or sink
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A towel
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A felting needle (optional, for decorations)
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Colored wool for designs (optional)
How to Felt Soap: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps for a perfectly felted bar:
Step 1: Prepare Your Wool
Pull off a few thin layers of wool roving. You don’t want it too thick—just enough to cover the soap completely.
Lay the wool in crisscross layers:
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First layer horizontal
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Second layer vertical
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Third layer diagonal (optional)
This makes the wool felt evenly.
Step 2: Wrap the Soap
Place the soap in the center of your wool and wrap it like a package. Make sure all sides are covered. Any thin spots should be patched with extra wool.
Tip: If using a small soap bar, use less wool so it doesn’t feel bulky.
Step 3: Wet the Wool
Fill a bowl or sink with warm, sudsy water. Gently dip the wrapped soap into the water without letting the wool shift out of place.
Use your hands to press the wool lightly against the bar so it sticks to the soap.
Step 4: Start Felting
Begin rubbing the wool gently between your hands. Rotate the bar often to ensure all sides felt evenly.
At first, use soft, slow motions so the fibers don’t move around.
As the wool begins to tighten and cling to the soap, you can:
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rub harder
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roll the bar in your palms
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squeeze the wool into the corners
This step usually takes 5–10 minutes.
Step 5: Rinse and Shape
Once the wool is firmly attached and feels tight, rinse the bar under cool water to remove excess suds.
Gently squeeze out any remaining water with a towel.
Shape the bar with your hands—oval, round, or rectangular.
Step 6: Let It Dry Completely
Place the felted soap in a dry spot with good airflow. It usually takes about 24 hours to dry fully.
Once dry, it’s ready to use or gift!
Optional: Add Decorative Designs
You can personalize your felted soap by adding patterns:
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stripes
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swirls
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flowers
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color accents
Use a felting needle to attach small pieces of wool to the surface. This step is especially nice for gift sets or product photos.
Tips for Best Results
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Use warm water—it helps the wool shrink faster.
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Don’t rush the early stage or the wool will slip.
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Use bright wool colors for a more eye-catching bar.
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Goat milk soap, shea butter bars, and castile soaps felt beautifully.
Is Felted Soap Safe for Sensitive Skin?
Yes! Wool is naturally soft and gentle. It exfoliates lightly without irritation. If someone is allergic to wool, it’s best to avoid it—but most people tolerate felted soap very well.
Final Thoughts
Felting soap is fun, fast, and incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re a soap maker looking to upgrade your product line or a crafter searching for a new handmade gift idea, felted soap is a beautiful blend of art and practicality.
It requires minimal materials, has a high perceived value, and is easy to customize with colors, patterns, and scents.