Easy Rock Soap Dish

Is there a place where concrete should not be?! Hmmm, don’t think so. My rustic scrubby soap was asking to have a place to rest and dry between uses. ‘Time for a super simple quick project… Make your soap happy with this Easy Rock Soap Dish.

Super Simple:

If you have ever mixed any concrete before then is the easiest project ever! The hardest part may be to find a suitable mold. I had kept my eye out for a plastic container that was of a size and shape for a bar of soap. There are many options of the ‘Tupperware’ (brandname) products nowadays, especially at dollar stores. They are usually quite rounded and have a concave bottom as well.

Easy Supplies:

• Polished Rocks, marbles, pebbles (similar height/size)
• Plastic container(s) (approximate size of soap)
• Rapidset Cementall
• Water, mixing container, spoon
• Dust Mask/gloves

I like the polished stones as they are easy to find in most craft and dollar stores, but any stones could work. Considering that you will want to clean it the shiny polished ones or glass would be easier.

To get an idea of the amount of stones and placement I do a ‘dry-fit’ test. Figuring out the layout before getting them covered in concrete is better.

The Concrete Stage:

Mix a quite fluid consistency of the Rapidset Cementall and pour into the bottom being careful to keep the edges neat. The first one I made ended up having too much concrete; since the stones displace some of the mix it got quite deep as stones were added.

The new plastic is so shiny that it will easily release the concrete; no release agent needed. Pour enough mix into the bottom to flow to all the edges and about 3/16″ or so thick. It will depend on your mold shape as well.

Move the stones from ‘the dry-fit’ container to the fresh concrete in approximate same placement one-by-one carefully as you don’t want to have to move them around.

Could that be any easier?! I’m almost ashamed to call this a project…

All the charm comes from stones as the concrete just gives them a sturdy base. After an hour they can be popped out!

Finishing the Easy Rock Soap Dish:

Check edges when unmolding for any sharp parts. It usually flows quite nicely when thin so it finishes well.

If needed use some strong emery cloth early on to sand off the sharp parts. (wet sanding will eliminate dust) It will be super hard after 24 hours.

Nicely rounded and washed. Sealer just complicates things, and this concrete is so very dense that it is not porous.

Yes, that’s how shiny the finish of this concrete mix is! No polishing was done. Depending on where you would like to use it you may want to protect your surface. Self adhesive felt or rubber pads work well. The surface of the dish is flat so it will not gather water, but make it flow off and the stones keep the soap elevated from the wet surface; so keep that in mind when placing it.

There are many options of what you can use. Marbles will work as well. Beach glass or rounded pebbles all work well in a wet environment.

Handmade soap does not have all the extra ingredients such as hardeners or fillers so they tend to get soggy if left in a wet dish.

Your soap will thank you! Go make some soap as gifts and couple it with a sweet Easy Rock Soap Dish! If you shudder to think about working with concrete check my tips here. Happy making!

Oh, just a thought… This method could also make other trivets to elevate other things like plants etc.