Making soap from scratch is challenging, and involves several steps and precise measurements. However, it is possible to make your own scented soaps without spending hours measuring caustic chemicals and stirring heavy pots. All it takes are simple kitchen tools, common bath soap and a few drops of essential oil.
Step 1
Grate the soap bars into a large bowl. You can also use a food processor, just make sure that you end up with shaved or flaked soap, not powder.
Step 2
Add the lemon peel and dried peppermint to the grated soap. Use the spatula to mix the dried spices into the soap. Make sure the spices are evenly dispersed.
Step 3
Add the five drops of peppermint and eight drops of lemon to the soap, using a circular motion. Drop the oils in different parts of the bowl so they don't clump in one area. Mix the soap with the spatula to further disperse the oils.
Step 4
Add the warm water, in a circular motion, and stir the mixture. You should have a doughy paste.
Step 5
Put on your gloves and roll the soap paste into golf ball-sized balls. If you wish, you can make the balls larger but they may take longer to dry.
Step 6
Place the balls on a cookie sheet and let them air dry. It takes approximately two days for each batch to dry completely.
Tips and Warnings
- For a lavender-scented soap, substitute one-half cup dried lavender blossoms and five drops of lavender essential oil for the lemon zest and mint. Experiment with your own scents to find a combination that works for you.
- Metal can cause a chemical reaction with essential oils, changing the scent. Use glass, ceramic, plastic or wood instead. Essential oils can leach into utensils so make sure that any tools that you use for soap-making are only used for soap-making.
Things You'll Need
- Cheese grater or food processor
- Silicone spatula
- Ceramic or glass bowl
- Cookie sheet
- Rubber gloves
- Two bars of mild, unscented vegetable-based soap
- One tbsp. lemon zest (or minced, dried lemon peel)
- Two tbsp. dried crushed mint leaves
- Five drops peppermint essential oil
- Eight drops of lemon essential oil
- One-fourth cup warm water
References
- The Herbal Home Spa;Greta Breedlove;1998
- The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy;Valerie Ann Worwood;1991
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