Monday, July 28, 2014
I ran out of body wash and hand soap and refused to spend money on two more small bottles of hand soap for my two bathrooms, and my expensive body wash. I searched all over Pintrest and the internet examining different recipes and finally decided to try it.
Most recipes called for 10 cups of water, which may have been ideal. I used:
8 cups purified water (Optional - I have a Brita On Tap System)
1 bar of Yardley English Lavender soap
1 1/2 tbs glycerin (Optional - for suds)
1 tbs rose water (Optional - for skin toning)
1 large pot
I got this box from the Dollar Tree, although buying bulk would be cheaper. I'm a college student though, so I can't afford that.
I got the glycerin and rose water from Walgreens for around $4 together. I added rose water just because it was cheap, I don't think it is the authentic rose water though, which is okay.
Directions:
1. Boil water
2. Microwave soap in ceramic or glass dish for about 1 minute or more. Your soap will be so hot it can burn you. So be careful and microwave it until most of it turns into a foamy glob. Or you can grate the entire bar.
3. Add the soap to the boiling water. Turn the heat down to simmer.
4. Add glycerin and rose water.
5. Turn off the stove and cool once all the soap is melted.
The mixture will need to cool about 4-8 hours or more. My mixture congealed, a lot. Then, I dug my hands in it and started mashing it between my fingers. Then, it got softer and became pourable. The mixture is like slimy goo, but I'm sure it still works.
I now have enough bath soap for about 2 months, maybe 3. It only cost me $1. I don't count the cost of the glycerin or rose water because the remaining will be used for many more diy projects.
I did not take pictures of the hand soap because it was my first try, and I forgot. I used Dial Antibacterial soap instead of Yardley.
Imagine buying bulk bar soaps. You'll have enough liquid soap to last a year that you'll only have to make every 2-3 months. My kind of lifestyle. You'll just have to get used to the slimy texture of the soap. Don't let that stop you from saving money.
If you've tried this, let me know how yours turned out. :-)
