Make Your Own Flocking From Soap Flakes

To save money over purchasing commercial flocking mix, make your own flocking material. Here's how to make your own flocking in simple steps! 

Materials

• Soap flakes - you'll want a gentle soap, such as Ivory or generic equivalents, does not contain any dyes or fragrances that can detract from the finished flocking, or even trigger an allergic reaction. Here's a link to inexpensive generic soap flakes on Amazon.
• Binding agent - Either 1/2 cup cornstarch mixed with enough water to make a glue (my preference) or
  Elmer's Glue (or equivalent generic white glue), again 2/3 cup. I think the cornstrach is a bit less messy. Martha Stewart makes a glittering glue (see the Amazon box at right), which is intended specifically for Christmas tree flocking.

Step 1 - Combine the ingredients

Combine the soap shavings with liquid cornstarch or white glue in bucket with a hand mixer, or a paint stirrer attached to an electric drill.

Step 2 - Add warm water

Add a small amount of warm water, slowly to make a very stiff mixture.

Step 3 - Add tint or glitter (optional)

If you want to add a sparkly effect or tint, now is the time to add it; don't overdo it!

Step 4 - Complete mixing

Mix stiff peaks start to form, just like you were making a lemon meringue pie with egg wghites (or for guys, like a very stiff shaving cream foam)

 

Of course, if you would rather not make your own flocking, here are the top two prepared flocking materials sold on Amazon:

 

Now back to flocking your tree!