Make Your Own All-Natural Hand Soap
More and more people are choosing to make their own soaps, cleaning solutions, and personal care products. It can be so empowering (and frugal!) to make your own products like this because you get the peace of mind of knowing what goes into the things you use every single day and you can tailor them to suit your own preferences. This simple and satisfying project from the Big Book of Botanical Crafts by Stephanie Rose makes it easy to create your own natural hand soap! In this project, we’ll use basil and bergamot to pamper your skin and create a soothing scent.
Basil is often used on the skin to help repair, balance, and nourish it. Bergamot is often used for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to calm skin. It also adds a pleasant floral citrus scent to this liquid soap recipe. Whenever you find yourself washing your hands repeatedly, like during cold and flu season, it is increasingly important to add moisture back into the skin. Dry skin isn’t just uncomfortable; it also breaks down the skin’s protective barrier. As our skin breaks down, it is more prone to cuts, rashes, sores, and pulled cuticles, all of which provide entry points for germs. This liquid hand soap is made with gentle Castile soap along with moisturizing oil to help soften skin. This recipe makes 500 milliliters or about 2 cups of soap.
Ingredients
400 milliliters distilled or boiled water
100 milliliters unscented concentrated liquid Castile soap
1 tablespoon liquid oil (olive oil, almond oil, or avocado oil)
10 drops basil essential oil
10 drops bergamot essential oil
Materials & Equipment
500-milliliter bottle with soap pump
Measuring cups
Funnel
Make It!
Measure and combine the water and Castile soap.
Add the liquid oil and essential oils.
Use the funnel to pour the mixture into the bottle.
Cap the bottle and shake well to combine.
And you’re finished! Here are some tips to keep your new soap working its best.
Shake well before each use for the first few days. Over time, the ingredients will combine permanently, and shaking will no longer be necessary. Apply one or two pumps of soap to wet hands and lather for 20 seconds. Use a nail brush to remove any dirt hiding under your nails. Rinse well and dry with a clean towel.
Shelf life: This soap will last up to three months. Discard it if it becomes discolored or smells unpleasant.
Project by Stephanie Rose from the book, Big Book of Botanical Crafts
Blog by Jules Hostetter