Pumpkin Spice Handmade Natural Soap Recipe with Real Pumpkin — All Posts Healing Harvest Homestead (2024)

NOTE: This article is for my incredible (if I say so myself) pumpkin spice homemade, natural soap made with real pumpkin. Pumpkin is just incredible for your skin, as it contains enzymes that energize and brighten! Not to mention, the warm-fall-scent of this handmade soap recipe will make you drool!

It was time to make more soap! Mr. V. and I were on the verge of running out...and that would not be a good thing. We haven't purchased soap from the stores in ForEVER, and I didn't want to start now. (You can find out about the toxins lurking in your commercial soap here.)

Fall is basically here, and I've been hankering for Pumpkin! Those Pumpkin Spice desserts, PSL latte's, and treats are not far away, so I thought I'd go ahead and make some Pumpkin Spice Soap right now, because I'll be using it well into the Autumn months.You might also enjoy my Pumpkin-Vanilla Facial Scrub, which is SO amazing!

And…like my Octoberfest Ale handmade soap, this one is just perfect for the fall months.

I adapted my no-fail hot process soap recipe by adding pumpkin and scenting it with the most scrumptious essential oils. Want natural, handmade soap using the hot process method, and scented with essential oils? Here you go!

FTC Disclosure: There are affiliate links scattered throughout this article. If you click through and make any kind of purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Pumpkin Spice Hot Process Soap Recipe (You're Gonna LOVE This!)

Before I get into the recipe, I just wanted to let you know I have a printable hot process soap making checklist and basic directions for you! It’s free! All you need to do is complete the form at the bottom of this article, and you’ll be able to access the Resource Library.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Soap:

For the Oil Mixture:

*** 15 ounces organic Olive Oil (I buy mine at Costco)

*** 15 ounces Coconut Oil (also a Costco purchase)

*** 12 ounces organic Almond Oil

*** 6 ounces Shea Butter

*** 1.5 ounces Castor Oil

For the Lye Solution:

*** 10 ounces distilled water

*** 5 ounces pumpkin puree (be sure it's real puree' with no additives)

*** 7.2 ounces lye (sodium hydroxide)

For Fragrance (Essential Oils):

0.5 ounce Cinnamon essential oil

0.5 ounce Clove essential oil

1 ounce Orange or Tangerine essential oil

0.5 ounce Nutmeg essential oil

NOTE ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS FRAGRANCE: Essential oils are all natural, and because of this, they are more pricey than chemical-based fragrance oils (which are toxic). The links above are to Amazon, and I tried to find decent brands at a reasonable price.

For essential oils used for therapeutic uses, I make sure to purchase from excellent companies.

If you get serious about your soap-making endeavors, and want to buy quality essential oils at a great price and in bulk, I suggest Starwest Botanicals.

They are not the least expensive on the market, but the quality is absolutely excellent for making soap, and I feel the price is very reasonable.You can also purchase their essential oils in larger quantities, making it easy for soap making.

Also, I like a highly scented soap. If you aren't into scent so much, you can cut the essential oils in half, or just leave them out. However, I think the scent is a great part of the Pumpkin Spice charm! :-)

NOTE: You can get my free Hot Process Soap Making Checklist by completing the form at the end of this article. It will help keep your soap making on track!

Tools You'll Need for Making Hot Process Soap:

The tools needed for making hot process soap are a bit different than for cold process soap making. But once you have them, you'll be ready to make your soap always!

*** A large crockpot (manual is best, and I like mine to be 7 quarts or larger)

*** A kitchen scale, digital (You MUST use one of these, as all measurements are for weight!)

*** A hand blender

*** Heat resistant containers for your lye solution

*** Measuring tools

*** Wooden spoons

*** Soap mold

*** Safety Gear: Gloves (rubber is best--I just use gardening gloves)and Glasses

NOTE: Always use wood or stainless steel or glass for your hot process soap making.

Also, regarding the soap mold: The link here is to the mold I use for this recipe. This is a three pound soap recipe, so you will have a "bread top" on your loaf, which you can cut off or use to make soap balls. Or--you can leave it for a nice rustic look! Alternatively, just find a larger mold if you can OR split your soap between two smaller molds.

Directions for Pumpkin Spice Soap:

You just follow basic hot process soap making directions. That link will give you an excellent picture tutorial to follow. I'll lay out basic instructions here, but if you are new to soap making or to using the hot process method, please take a look at that article and/or this one: Rosemary-Lavender Vanilla Hot Process Soap.

Step 1) Measure out your oils into a crock pot set on LOW.

Step 2) Measure out your lye solution. Add the water and pumpkin first, then pour your lye into the liquid---NEVER the other way around.

Step 3) Pour your lye solution into the oil mixture in the crock pot.

Step 4) Using your hand blender, stir until the mixture reaches trace, like a thick pudding.

Step 5) Let cook! Stir occasionally with your wooden spoons as you notice the soap "crawling" up the sides. Remember to wear your gloves and glasses, as the soap is caustic at this point.

Step 6) Keep stirring down as needed (usually just 2 or 3 times)and cooking until the soap reaches a gel stage, translucent and waxy. You can do the "ZAP" test if you like. Refer to the articles above for a full tutorial on how to know when your soap is done.

Step 7) Press your soap firmly into your soap mold. Still got those gloves on, right? It's HOT! You'll want to be sure you get that soap into all the corners and press well to get rid of any air pockets.

Step 8) Let cool completely.

Step 9) ***If you want soap balls, cut your top off after about an hour or so, and form them. Leave them to finish cooling.

Step 10) Leave the soap in the mold several hours until it's hardened. Remove from the mold. You can leave it as a loaf if you want, and cut it as you need it, or you can cut it all now. It's ready to use and enjoy!

NOTE: Some soap makers believe you need to wait another one to three weeks to let your bars cure more and harden up more. Honestly, with this particular recipe, a few extra days won't hurt, but I consistently use it right away. It will get harder with time, but this is such a great recipe it makes little difference in my book. With softer recipes, this may make a difference, but this one is great for immediate use.

Final Thoughts on This Pumpkin Spice Hot Process Soap Recipe:

I love, Love, LOVE this soap! And so does everyone else.

The pumpkin definitely adds an extra softening ability for your skin due to the enzymes it contains. It lathers and conditions very well, and has a good cleansing score too. You can run the recipe through Soapcalc.net if you want more information on its performance.

Just substitute the pumpkin for more water (15 ounces total water) in the soap calculator.

This is a lovely orange soap and smells A-Mazing! It's great for scenting up your home or bathroom, and it's wonderful just to go ahead and use and enjoy too. Personally, I think this is a great soap to make for giving as gifts.

And…did you know cinnamon is believed to be an aphrodisiac for men? Hmmm?

I'll be making more of this soap for sure this Fall! Let me know if you try it, and how yours turns out! Or, if you have questions--- Remember, read through the articles referenced above if you are a new hot process soap maker or just a new soap maker in general.

If you like this recipe, you'll also love this recipe for Fall Spice Soap with a hint of Mandarin Orange. Yummy!

You might also enjoy these related articles:

• Troubleshooting and Fixing Handmade Soap Mistakes

• Hard Hunk o'Man Soap (Pine & Peppermint---totally awesome for Winter!)

• Sexy Wild Man Hot Process Recipe (Ladies love it too)

• Hot Process vs. Cold Process: Which is Better?

• Hot Process Soap Making eBook: How to Make and Customize Your Own Soap

For a YouTube video of the hot process soap making procedure, just click that link! (And please subscribe!)

There are a ton more soap making articles on the blog, too! :-)

Have fun with your soap making!

Hugs, Health and Self-Reliance,

Heidi

P.S. Sign up for the weekly newsletter and get access to the Healing Harvest Homestead free Resource Library! And there you’ll find my Hot Process Soap Making Checklist + Basic Instructions, which is a life saver if you are making hot process (or even cold process) soap! There are also all kinds of other goodies over there, and I update it weekly!

Just complete the form below: