Jiggly Jelly Soap
A homemade jelly soap without using pre-made melt and pour soap, this jiggly soap is a fun follow-up to our popular Play Dough Soap recipe!
Jell-O Soap Craft
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a mom in possession of a fun soap, will get her child to take a bath without force or bribery.
At least, that’s the tactic I take in this house!
Ever since I started adding things like homemade fizzy bath bombs and play dough soap into our bath routine, my daughter has become an enthusiastic bath taker. It can be hard to pry her away from whatever craft or imaginative play she has immersed herself in, so by offering something fun and playful for bath time, she is not only happy to get in the bath – but enjoys washing up and the opposite problem develops: it’s hard to get her out of the bath!
I also set out some of these jelly soaps or some play dough soap for our daycare kids – I never have to check if they remembered to wash their hands because they are so eager to use these fun soaps!
I’ve made these jelly soaps a couple different ways in the past, but always using melt and pour glycerin soap base in the past.
I personally don’t have an issue using that – you can easily order it via amazon or find it from a local soap maker, but I knew that I’d get some requests for an natural alternative using supplies you likely have on hand – so today I’m sharing with you this gelatin-based jelly soap recipe!
Now personally, we don’t have issues with these soaps melting at room temperature but if your home is hot (or it’s the summer when you make them) you may want to keep your excess soaps in the fridge. If your soaps are sticking to each other in the jar, you can try a light coating of corn starch. (Some readers have said they have individually wrapped each soap in plastic wrap, too.)
I’ve also had a reader say that adding 1-2 Tablespoons of clear vegetable glycerin has helped make her soaps more stable, so I’ve added that as an optional ingredient in the recipe card.
Definitely keep them in an airtight mason jar when not in use – I just dole out one or two as needed and keep them stored away.
If you don’t want to use gelatin, check out our other two jelly soap recipes – Jelly Soap with melt-and-pour soap or Vegan Jelly Soap using vege gel.
Ingredients for Jelly Soaps
- Unflavored gelatin
- Warm Water
- Salt
- Gel Body Wash <– this is the brand we used in this post, but we’ve had readers say any thick gel soap has worked
- Essential oil, optional
- Cosmetic glitter or mica, optional
- Food Color, optional <– you can use a soap color, but I have never had issues using food color
- Spray bottle with rubbing alcohol
- Soap or candy mold (I prefer silicone as they are easy to pop the soaps out)
- Mason jar, for storing
Tip: you can make these soaps in bars by pouring into a casserole dish and cutting into squares, or shapes using the method described in this post.
How to Make Jelly Soaps
Place your unflavored gelatin to a medium size bowl and add water. Whisk until dissolved.
Add salt, body wash and essential oil and whisk well.
Add glitter and food coloring – as desired.. we added a whole vial of cosmetic glitter and just a few drops food coloring.
Spray mold with rubbing alcohol to prevent bubbles, place on a sturdy tray and carefully pour mixture into mold. You may need to make a small additional spray on the top surface after pouring.
Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
Pop the soaps out of the mold and store in an airtight container until ready to use.
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Jiggly Jelly Soap
A super simple method for making jiggly jelly soap at home using body wash and gelatine.
Materials
- 1 Package Unflavored gelatin
- 3/4 cup very warm Water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup Gel Body Wash
- Essential oil, optional
- Cosmetic glitter or mica, optional
- Food Color, optional
- Spray bottle with rubbing alcohol
- Soap or candy mold (I prefer silicone as they are easy to pop the soaps out)
- Mason jar, for storing
Tools
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
Instructions
- Place your unflavored gelatin to a medium size bowl and add water. Whisk until dissolved.
- Add salt, body wash and essential oil and whisk well.
- Add glitter and food coloring - as desired.. we added a whole vial of cosmetic glitter and just a few drops food coloring.
- Spray mold with rubbing alcohol to prevent bubbles, place on a sturdy tray and carefully pour mixture into mold. You may need to make a small additional spray on the top surface after pouring.
- Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Pop the soaps out of the mold and store in an airtight container until ready to use.
This homemade jiggly jelly soap recipe is a fun way to get kids excited for bath time!
For more homemade bath products, check out our Play Dough Soap or our popular Belle’s Bath Bombs.
When do you add the body wash?
After the salt 🙂 Thanks – I forgot to add it on the video! That’s what I get for late night editing…
I made some today but they stick to each other when I put them in the jar and fall apart. Any tips?
I’m sorry, Kelly, I didn’t have that issue.
I know some people wrapped individual ones in plastic wrap. I think a bit of cornstarch should stop them from sticking but I haven’t tried that.
Hi, can you please stare the jelly soap with glycerin soap base? These ended up being way to soft for us. After being at room temperature( we are in London so it’s not hot) they melted .
Thank you!
Adina
Hi Adina,
Sorry for the delay – just seeing your comment now!
https://sugarspiceandglitter.com/copycat-lush-jelly-soap/
How much is in the package of gelatin? I know there are a few different sizes.
They were the one tablespoon size.
How many grams are in a sachet of gelatin?
I’m travelling right now but I believe it was one tablespoon.
These didn’t work at all and are still just gummy globs in the fridge after being in there all night. Did this actually work for anyone? Any ideas on how we can save them? Can we mix more gelatin in or anything or is it just too late?
Mixed another 1/2 c of water and package of gelatin into it all and it’s still just glop. Are your pictures really from this recipe or from the soap melts you mentioned?
Hi Jill,
I hate hearing when things go wrong, but I would have no reason to fake that this recipe works – I would simply not post it and encourage readers to only rely on my other “Jelly Soap” recipes.
You can add more unflavored gelatin (without water), ensuring that the gelatin is completely dissolved and that all the measurements are correct. It may also be the gel soap that you used.
We also used Soft Soap’s clear gel soap – I am wondering if there is a difference in the soap consistency/gels that may be the issue. You can also add 1-2 teaspoons glycerine to stabilize the recipe a bit.
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I made this soap recipe, but after several attempts I found I had to use 3 or 4 pkgs of gelatin in the recipe to make my soaps stay in shape. I live in East Texas, so the humidity made a difference.
Thank you for the tip – and sorry for having to do all of that troubleshooting!
My partner is from East Texas – I thought we have it bad in the Great Lakes area, but y’all definitely have us beat!
What is the shelf life of this product?
Ours are usually used up within 3 months, so I can confidently say that if stored properly they will last at least that long.
This is so fun! What a great gift for a friend or to enjoy yourself!
Thank you, Suzanne.
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Hi Vanessa, we were able to keep ours for 6 months in an airtight container before they started to melt – but it will depend on the humidity of where you store your soaps. For best results, store them in a cool spot or even the refrigerator.
Hi Jennifer,
If using medium to small sized molds, approximately how many jellies would you say this recipe makes?
Thanks!
And would you say that bubble bath could work for the soap?
Hi Abbey, I haven’t tried bubble bath and have not had any readers mention that they’ve used it. I think in theory it could work, but you might have to adjust the other ingredient amounts. If you do try it, please let me know how it goes!!