Drinking tea is such a lovely ceremony, what with the dainty cups and small spoons and little dishes reserved only for steeped tea bags. The aroma is such a huge part of that experience. Sadly, I’m finding that one can only drink so much tea in a day. So why not pull those luscious scents into our lives in other ways? This was my thinking when this idea popped into my head. I whipped up a batch of small Earl Grey tea soaps (see my instructions below) and folded them into individual tissue tea bags.
I have included a full, rather detailed tutorial for you to make these yourself. You can even download my tea soap tags, if you are so inclined. Each tag has a “Made by” and “For” on the back, so you can give these little soaps as gifts. You could also write a tiny message on the inside of the tag. I assure you that these are extremely easy to make, and cheap as well.
Click through below for the free tag download and how to!
You can buy all the materials you need here.
(a) Soap: I used a Melt & Pour Soap Base
I used Earl Greyer Tea
(b)Tags: You can create your own tags, or download mine here. Each sheet has tags for Earl Grey Tea Soap, Green Tea Soap, Citrus Mint Tea Soap, Ginger Peach Tea Soap, Rooibos Tea Soap, Jasmine Tea Soap, and Tea Soap (plain). 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. *Not intended for use in the tub or shower.
(d)Tape
(e)String
(f)Stapler
(g)Scissors
How to fold, tea bag-style:
1. Place one soap on the tissue paper, centered vertically but slightly higher than the middle.
2. Fold the two sides over the soap so that they overlap slightly. Tape closed.
3. Pinch the edges to form a rectangular box. Pleat the sides inward.
4. Fold the bottom up over the soap and secure with a loop of tape (or double-sided tape)
5. Trim so that the front and back are the same height
6. Fold the two corners in to form a peak.
7. Pull the peak down and tape shut.
8. Flip over and staple the string onto the bag, tying a knot in the end to keep it from slipping through. Staple tag on the other end of the string.
If you have any trouble with these instructions it might help to inspect a real tea bag. For the sake of comparison, here is a real tea bag with mine:
Here are the tags that are available (click here to view and print):
Now I’m off to have a cup of tea…
Thanks for reading.
Beautiful tags! You make a snobby designer husband proud!
brilliant! this may be just what brings me back to using bar soap!
What a great idea! I love the thought of bathing in tea. The aroma would be simply delightful. =D Thanks for sharing!
How cute?!!
how cute! and the color of the soap turned out so well.
Great idea. I am featuring you on my crafty blog.
beautiful!!! thanks!
Love your blog and your DIY projects! This one is gorgeous.
Wow…the looks of this soap is as refreshing as green tea. Thanks for this nice post. It is also refreshing….
Hey…
Bathing in tea is a great idea. The tea soap is an amazing concept. Am eager to try it.
You say it smells like Earl Grey, I think it smells like Christmas gifts….>D
love this idea…did anyone else have trouble downloading the “tea bag” printables files? Thanks, Roberta
Sorry that you’re having trouble with the tags. It’s not really a download – when you click the link, it should open a page with the full jpeg and you can just print from there. Sorry, it sounds like it’s a pdf or something. Anyway, I hope that helps.
This is amazing! Im going to go do it today.
You have a exquisite website. It’s now on my favorites.
This is a lovely idea, and just in time to start thinking of Christmas! On question: What was your tea to soap ratio? I’m thinking of using some loose vanilla chai mix that I have onhand, and perhaps some herbal lavender mix, as well.
Fantastic tutorial! Just found your blog. Really nice!
Hi, I was wondering how much tea you add to the melt n pour? And do you just make up that amount with water as usual but super strong? I cannot wait to try this, the labels are simply beautiful!
Hi Daisy,
I actually just added the dry tea to the soap as it was melting because I was worried that adding water would not allow the soap to harden properly.
Have fun!
I love love love this idea and tried it out myself using opaque melt&pour soap from Michael’s. I got really bad results– the soap doesn’t really lather, and doesn’t smell like tea. The Earl Grey in tea form smelled great but the EG soap smelled very unappetizing. I got slightly better results with a plum tea. Any insight or tips?
What a great idea, and perfect execution.
I’m enjoying reading through your past posts!
What a genius idea. These are so cute. I’m so going to make them.
Thanks so much!
these are so very cute!!! I cannot wait to make my own…thanks for the really creative idea!
Dear britt, you are a clever, clever girl! Thank you so much for sharing!! I really love your brilliant idea. Also I love your bedroom with all the windows, it looks so peaceful. I lived in Vancouver when I was very young and always yearn to come back some day. Fresh air and beauty everywhere! All the best to you. Keep creating magnificent original things so we can enjoy them all.Toni
I have a question – did you brew the tea prior to adding it to the melted soap, or simply add the tea in its crumbled leaf form?
Too cute! I’m bookmarking this so I can make some for my boyfriend’s mom- she’d love them!
such a cute idea…i think these would be such a fab gift
That’s a great idea…
Check out this blog:
http://lovelifeandprettythings.wordpress.com/
Hello, I would like to feature this project on my tea lovers’ roundup in September http://muffinsnmore.blogspot.com/2010/08/submissions-wanted-tea-lovers-roundup.html
Would I be allowed to use a photo from your post to do that? Sorry, I would have liked to send you an email but could not find an address … the contact button is not working …
Love from Germany
Ms Muffin
ulli-xox[@]web[dot]de
What a lovely idea! and a great tutorial too..
I really love this! I would like to try it. I tried to download the tags but the link is not working.. could you help me out??
Thank you so much for this! I will be making these to use as stocking stuffers and as gifts for my kid’s teachers. I might try a batch of chai soap with some vanilla scent in it to make Chai Latte soap.
Sweet idea. Must make some for my tea loving friend. The tag img link is dead.
I absolutely love your packaging. Last week I made my own bars of soap with crushed green tea leaves and some crushed cinnamon and cloves to give its rough texture. Was looking for some original packaging and yours is absolutely fabulous. I am using wax paper instead of paper tissue, as I was afraid that my soap might leave some oily stains on the “”tea bag”. It looks fantastic
Thanks for the brilliant idea
Look forward to your next inventions.
Hi Britt, I featured a variation of this tea soap idea on my blog. You can find the post at:
http://kittycatchbutterfly.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-is-coming.html
Thanks for the great idea, my soaps came out great and my Mum loved them!!
Fiona
How much tea would you recommend using to get a decent scent per pound of soap?
This is sooooo amazing !!! I love it!!!
thx for sharing
greetz from Germany
How much tea should you use per batch for a good amount of scent? Also how did you make those awesome teabag tags? I would like to do this as favors for my bridal shower and would like to put our initials and wedding date possibly.
This is a genius idea, and I will be trying it along with the cheating soap method lol!
I love this idea! Thanks for the info on making teabags. I’m going to make some a bit larger and instead of soap, I’m going to put an card inside and make this the invitation for my best friend’s bridal tea shower!
Hello! I’m Kassandra and I featured this here at my blog Coffee and their Kisses. Please come by and grab a button for your blog
)
This is just brilliant! I love it! Thank you for this little tea treasure….I just *have* to share. You have such a wonderful little world here, I’m glad I found you. Cheers!
This tea soap is ADORABLE and what great instructions and photo illustrations.. not to mention the free printable tags!!! I hope it’s okay that I’ve featured your tutorial and a link back to your page here on my hub:
http://jamiebrock.hubpages.com/hub/Frugal-Handmade-Gift-Ideas-Homemade-Bath-and-Beauty-Recipes
Thanks so much for sharing this awesome tutorial!
Jamie
such a wonderful idea!
Love these little teabag soaps!!
Thanks for writing up the tutorial.
I have featured it…along with some other gifts for teachers here….
http://allysonadeney.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/17-handmade-gift-ideas-for-babies-teachers-with-tutorials/
….if you would like to take a look.
Thanks again for a super cute idea.
Ally on harrysdesk.
Such an awesome idea! I love it.
really awesome idea/packaging. love love LOVE. thinking of making some green tea soap for some fun color. tx for this!