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Before there were loofahs and washcloths, people used an old fashioned bar of soap sewn into a felted wool covering. The wool was exfoliating and had antibacterial qualities, and the soap created a nice lather without wasting its suds. In the last few years, felted soap has come back into fashion (it’s popping up in lots of Etsy shops as well as Anthropologie, and is a popular gift item this season). Today, we show you how to make it!

(Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Before there were loofahs and washcloths, people used an old fashioned bar of soap sewn into a felted wool covering. The wool was exfoliating and had antibacterial qualities, and the soap created a nice lather without wasting its suds. In the last few years, felted soap has come back into fashion (it’s popping up in lots of Etsy shops as well as Anthropologie, and is a popular gift item this season). Today, we show you how to make it!

Supplies:

1. Wool Roving

2. Your favorite bar of soap

3. The toe of a nylon

4. A felting needle

5. A bowl full of warm water

Pull off a thin piece of wool roving. (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Stretch it out so that the wool is in an even square. (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Layer two squares with the fibers facing in opposite directions (perpendicular to one another) (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Wrap your soap in the wool roving. (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Place it in the toe of the nylon. (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Dip it in the water. (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Start felting by causing friction so that the wool fibers bind to one another. (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Every once in a while (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Add another layer of felt. (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Keep felting! (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Wipe the suds off and smooth your wool fibers before drying overnight. (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Add whatever design you wish. (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Let the felt needle pierce the soap and the wool roving. This specialty tool is worth the investment; it binds the fibers to one another on the way down (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

Vary your designs and experiment until you find your style! (Image credit: Rebecca Blumhagen)

• The Star: Ashley Anderson is on the Operations Team here at Apartment Therapy. Born in Texas, she got to New York as soon as she could. When not at the office, she can be found sewing pillows, painting over canvases, or running Room & Order, a home organizing company she started way back in high school.

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Links and Related Posts:

The Science of Felting
Felted Soap at Anthropologie
SoFino Felted Soap Shop on Etsy
Wool Roving from Purl
Felting Needles from Purl
One Minute Tip: How to Make a Felt Ball Garland

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