Starting your soap-making journey doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you want to create gifts, test new scents, or try a new hobby, inexpensive soap-making kits are the perfect way to get started without spending a lot of money.
Below is a simple guide to the best cheap soap making kits, what they include, and how to choose the right one.
1. What Makes a Soap Making Kit “Cheap”?
A kit is considered affordable when it offers:
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A beginner-friendly price
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Melt-and-pour base included
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Simple tools (molds, mixing cups, etc.)
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A few scents or colors
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Clear instructions
Most cheap kits fall between $10 and $25, but still give you everything to make 4–10 bars of soap.
2. Best Types of Cheap Soap Making Kits
Here are the most common (and inexpensive) kit types.
1. Melt-and-Pour Starter Kits (Most beginner-friendly)
These kits include:
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Soap base (goat milk, shea butter, glycerin)
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A basic mold
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1–2 fragrance oils
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1–2 colorants
Why they’re cheap:
The soap base is already made — you just melt, customize, and pour. Zero lye required, zero experience needed.
Great for:
Kids, beginners, craft nights, small gift batches.
2. Kids Soap Making Kits
These are affordable because they use small portions of soap base and simple, fun molds.
They often include:
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Bright colors
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Glitter (skin-safe)
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Fun shapes (stars, hearts, animals)
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Child-safe tools
Great for:
Birthdays, homeschool projects, rainy-day activities.
3. Mini Specialty Kits (Scent or Style Focused)
These are small, budget-friendly kits centered around one theme, such as:
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Lavender relaxation bars
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Oatmeal & honey
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Charcoal detox
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Shea butter moisture bars
These kits keep costs low by limiting variety but giving you a clean, polished outcome.
4. Silicone Mold + Small Base Kits
These are the cheapest because you get:
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A simple silicone mold
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A small 1–2 lb soap base
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No extras
Perfect for people who want to pick their own scents and colors later.
3. What to Look for in a Cheap Soap Making Kit
When choosing your kit, consider:
✔ Amount of soap base
Look for at least 1 lb so you can make multiple bars.
✔ Type of soap base
Best beginner bases include:
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Shea butter
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Goat milk
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Glycerin (clear)
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Aloe vera
✔ Quality of molds
Silicone is better than plastic — easier release, lasts longer.
✔ Simple ingredients
Make sure fragrances and colorants are skin-safe.
✔ Clear instructions
Especially important if you’re brand new.
4. Benefits of Buying a Cheap Soap Kit
Cheap doesn’t mean low quality — it means simple.
You get:
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Low commitment
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Low mess
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Quick results
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Great gifts
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A chance to test scents/styles before creating a full business
These kits are great for exploring the craft without buying full-size equipment.
5. Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Cheap Kit
Here’s how to stretch your kit further:
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Add oatmeal, honey, or coffee grounds from your kitchen for exfoliation
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Use essential oils you already own
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Mix colors to create new shades
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Reuse the molds over and over
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Add dried flowers or herbs for decoration
Small enhancements can make cheap kits feel premium.
6. Who Cheap Soap Kits Are Perfect For
These budget kits are ideal for:
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Beginners with zero experience
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Kids and teens
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Hobby makers
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Anyone trying soap without buying expensive equipment
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People starting a soap business on a small budget
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Gift-making
Final Thoughts
Cheap soap making kits are the fastest, easiest, and most affordable way to get into soap making. They offer everything you need in one small box, cost very little, and let you experiment with scents, colors, and designs without committing to expensive tools.