Faux Tea Bags with Tea-Scented Soap

Easy soap packaging idea that makes for a great gift!

Step 1: Materials

(a)Soap: I used a Melt & Pour Soap Base which some may think is cheating, but I think it's fantastic. It's incredibly easy - you just cut up the block of soap and melt it in the microwave (or if you are like me and don't have a microwave, use a double-boiler) and add in whatever ingredients you want.
I used Earl Greyer Tea which has more bergamot than usual. Then just pour it into a mold or pan and let it set. After a few hours mine was set and I cut it into rectangles about 1" x 2". These are small (think hotel soap) and I was able to get eight soaps from a 1 lb. block, plus scraps that I can melt down into another one or two. You can see an instructable on melt & pour soap here.
(b)Tags: You can create your own tags, or download mine here. Just cut them out, fold them in half, and snip little notches in the corners (see photos). [A note about the tags: Feel free to print out these tags for your personal, non-commercial use. Please do not redistribute in any way.]
(c)White tissue paper: Pieces cut to approximately 6" x 9", one per soap.
(d)Tape
(e)String
(f)Stapler
(g)Scissors

You can buy everything you need for this project HERE.

Comments

[huddlehouseninja]

I'm curious... do you steep your tea before adding it to the glycerin base or add it loose?

[jrehnke]

Thanks for this project! I volunteer doing crafts at a women's center and we found a bag full of small lavender soaps - we're making these this morning! Yay! the perfect last minute gift for the ladies to make for their friends and families :)

[ginab6]

Wonderful! I'll be posting this on my blog for Tatting Tea Tuesday" - just the photos and link back to here.!

[A good name]

You said "Teabag"

[scoochmaroo]

I also added this to a bunch of groups. Don't be surprised if CRAFTblog picks this up.

[scoochmaroo]

LURV. And favorited. Remind me in December that I'm going to make a bunch of these. . . ok? thanks.

[OnePrettyThing]

That is adorable! Perfect for tying on packages too. Thanks so much, I'll be linking.

[KateS52]

I looked up tea-bag-paper. The obvious solution, of course, coffee filters. There some rectangle types-not so much waste cutting to size. I actually make my own soap and I have been looking for ideas on how to package. I love your idea!

[cucumbersome]

Sorry for the confusion, I meant for this to be just packaging - not for use in the tub. I just used gift-wrapping tissue paper. If you wanted to have something that could get wet, I would recommend making a little bag out of mesh or silk (maybe reuseable).

[him9292]

Cheese cloth would work great for this me thinks.

[KateS52]

Cucumbersome, that makes a lot of sense. I guess we all got a bunch of ideas from yours. It is a great packaging idea! I thought again about how we we're all adding ideas about using the 'wrapping' -in-the-water...well, they used to call it soap on a rope. So I was digging around in some boxes and I found cheese cloth and some mice white rope. I know I have tissue paper too. I could do it all. Da-Da Da

[discontinuuity]

That's really cool. Do you mind if I borrow this idea for packaging my own soap for sale?

[cucumbersome]

Of course, I don't own the idea. :) The tags, however, are not for commercial use. I would love to see what you come up with. I thought it would be really great to package 6 or so of the soaps up in a little box and brand that. Fun!

[omnibot]

Brilliant. This can also save those unsitely soapexperiments that works but looks like crud.

[HARSHAD BHATT]

Does any one know why already done soap (what we use in our day to day life) does not melt in microwave? Actually it foams up in microwave!!!Why?

[lindipowell]

fantastic idea! do you have any easy and cheap recipes for soap? where i live,glycerine is very expensive...xx

[Kaelessin]

Soap can be made without the glycerin . . .just use some form of fat and lye (proportions and instructions are all over the net and a few are here on instructables too) and you've got a very basic soap with no funky chemicals. I made a few soaps for my mom on her birthday and used household lye and veggie oil with a little bit of crayon for color and essential oil for scent.

[romedeiros1970]

WOW! Well done. Simple, but wow.

[jrehnke]

I feel kind of stupid for not thinking of this myself. I love it! I now know what I'm going to do for holiday gifts this year - thanks!

[555mst555]

wow this is cool......imagine if a hotel used ur idea....and people though.."OOh free tea.....yumm".....a few sips and then they would read the label PROPERLY....:)

[becca_sr02]

The tissue paper being used is the type you put inside gift bags. I dont think its meant to be used IN the tub, but as an alternative to plastic bag or whatever packaging. So I am sure you take the soap out of the bag for use. Anyways, very nice concept. I love it!

[stephenniall]

Should name it Bubble-Bags ! love the looks and so simple

[1tri2god]

Excellent work and fantastic idea!!! One quick question- is this the same kind of tissue paper that a person would use on their face or, um, in the bathroom? I know that sounds silly. I would just like to make this for the wife...but the tub gets clogged very easily! Put another way, is there a type of paper that can stand up to long, hot soaks? Thanks for the upload and I look forward to your reply!

[ChrysN]

What a cool packaging idea!

[jessyratfink]

That is such a cute idea. Great documentation, too! :D