Homemade Soap Pregnancy Test: How It Works, Result And Accuracy

Soap reacts with the hCG hormone to help you determine if you are pregnant.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Arpita Chakraborty, MS Dr. Arpita Chakraborty Dr. Arpita ChakrabortyMS MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Experience: 8 years
Written by , BSc Rebecca Malachi BSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Pregnancy, Health and WellnessExperience: 12 years
Edited by , BDS, CLC Dr. Ritika Shah BDS, CLC Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Dental and General Health, LactationExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , MSc Reshmi Das MSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health and WellnessExperience: 4 years
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A girl holds a homemade soap

Image: Shutterstock

A homemade soap pregnancy test is done at home with the help of regular bathing soap. The DIY pregnancy test is inexpensive and simple to perform. However, it is unreliable and not backed by any research studies. But is the test worth the try, and does it provide some rough estimation of pregnancy?

Keep reading to know the steps, accuracy, and limitations of a soap pregnancy test.

In This Article

Pregnancy Test With Soap: How Is It Done?

Pregnancy test with soap

Image: IStock

To take the test, you need a small piece of soap (some prefer dishwashing liquid), a sample of the day’s first urine, and a sterilized cup (preferably a transparent one to read the reaction).

  • Place a small piece of soap in an empty cup.
  • Collect your urine sample in a separate cup.
  • Pour the urine into the cup containing the soap and wait to see the result.
  • If you notice some chemical reaction in the mixture, it is said to be positive.

How Is The Soap Pregnancy Test Said To Work?

It is believed that the soap pregnancy test or any homemade pregnancy test reacts to the hCG hormone in the urine sample. Soap is likely to react with hCG and produce foam or bubbles. Some proponents of the test say that a blue soap would turn to green when it reacts with hCG. This process could, therefore, probably aid in determining the occurrence of conception.

protip_icon Quick fact
Regardless of the type of soap used for testing, you may see bubbles or a frothy liquid from a chemical reaction between the urine and the soap. So, this test shouldn’t be the only way to check for a positive pregnancy.

How Accurate Is A Homemade Pregnancy Test With Soap?

Always back a home test with a pregnancy strip test

Image: Shutterstock

The soap test for pregnancy detection is not a reliable method. A foaming soap might anyway turn frothy when you add something to it. And, therefore, it can show a similar result even when a non-pregnant individual tries it. While you may still try this test at the comfort of your home, you should always back it up with a pregnancy test kit or see a healthcare provider for a blood or urine test to confirm the result.

protip_icon Point to consider
A blood test is 99% accurate in detecting a possible pregnancy. Therefore, if you have any doubts, it is advisable to schedule a test with your doctor for confirmation rather than relying solely on homemade tests (3).

When Is The Soap Pregnancy Test Taken?

If you like to give it a try, do it a week after you miss your period. Take it in the morning with the first urine sample of the day when the hCG hormone content is high in it (1).

How To Read Soap Pregnancy Test Results?

It is believed that leaving the solution untouched for around ten minutes could give the results.

  • It is said to be positive if the mixture bubbles up, and/ or a blue color soap turns green.
  • It is said to be negative if there is no such reaction.

When To See A Doctor?

See a doctor if you notice early pregnancy symptoms

Image: Shutterstock

If you have missed your period or had unprotected sex, you may check for early pregnancy symptoms by consulting a doctor. The symptoms may include missing your period, morning sickness, constipation, bloating, abdominal cramps, fatigue, and breast tenderness (2).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many times can I use a homemade soap pregnancy test?

Homemade soap pregnancy tests lack scientific validation and may not be accurate. Also, the mixture can’t be reused due to urine exposure, which affects accuracy. Use a commercial pregnancy testing kit instead of homemade tests for reliable results.

2. How do I dispose of a homemade soap pregnancy test?

To dispose of a homemade soap pregnancy test, wrap it in several layers of paper or plastic and dispose of it in the regular trash. It is important not to flush it down the toilet as it may cause blockages in the plumbing or harm the environment.

Early detection and commencement of prenatal care are essential for maternal and fetal well-being during pregnancy. The homemade soap pregnancy test is inexpensive and easy to perform. However, it is not accurate, and there is no scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness. You may try it out of curiosity, but back it up with a pregnancy test at home with a kit if you have missed your periods and suspect that you are pregnant. If positive, follow it up with confirmatory blood and urine tests at the doctor’s clinic.

Infographic: What To Do After Getting A Positive Result In The Soap Test?

The soap pregnancy test is inaccurate and serves to satiate curiosity or perhaps for an individual’s amusement. You may not wish to cross-check the results. However, if the results come out to be positive, it may raise some doubts or create concerns in your mind. The infographic below tells you what you can do after a positive test result.

things to do after a positive result in the soap pregnancy test (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • A soap pregnancy test can be done at home by combining a urine sample with a soap solution.
  • If there is no reaction in the mixture, it is considered negative, but if it is positive, you will notice bubbles or changes in color.
  • You may consider taking the test after a week’s delay of your period cycle not occurring. However, the test is not always accurate.


Learn how to perform a home pregnancy test using the SOAP technique. Get quick, easy, and precise results from the comfort of your own home.

Illustration: Homemade Soap Pregnancy Test: Are The Results Accurate?

Homemade Soap Pregnancy Test_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. HCG in urine; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health (2010)
    https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/oilspill/20121010111709/http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003619.htm
  2. Guide for First Time Parents.
    https://online.regiscollege.edu/guide-first-time-parents
  3. Pregnancy testing.
    https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-testing
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Dr. Arpita Chakraborty
Dr. Arpita ChakrabortyMS
Dr. Arpita Chakraborty practices at Bombay Hospital, Mumbai and has eight years of experience in the field of ob/gyn. She has passed her medical training with distinction and bagged gold medals in various subjects. Dr. Chakraborty trained in advanced laparoscopy at Bombay Hospital and did FOGSI Certified Course in Obstetrics Ultrasonography.

Read full bio of Dr. Arpita Chakraborty
Rebecca Malachi
Rebecca MalachiBSc
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi
Dr. Ritika Shah
Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC
Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

Read full bio of Dr. Ritika Shah
Reshmi Das
Reshmi DasMSc
Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction.

Read full bio of Reshmi Das