Handmade soap is the perfect gift to make for friends or just to have around the house. Using fresh herbs from the garden is also a fun way to say “hey! it really is homemade” and it will be fun coming up with variations.
Plain, unscented glycerin soap base was used for these projects (available at most crafts stores). Soap bases with natural additions (like this), such as aloe vera, goat’s milk, or olive oil, are great, too.
Tools and Materials
Assorted citrus peels, berries, and herbs
Paper coffee filters, if using herbs
Clean, dry containers, such as milk cartons, drink boxes, juice-concentrate cans, or yogurt cups
Heat-resistant glass measuring cup or bowl
Vegetable oil cooking spray or petroleum jelly
Dough scraper
Glycerin soap base
Spray bottle
Rubbing alcohol
Paring knife
Instructions
1. Make Purees
Wash and dry all fruits and herbs; use whole berries, herb leaves, or citrus rinds with pith removed. Puree separately in a food processor. To make the herb purees, you may need to add 1 to 2 tablespoons water; place pureed herbs on a coffee filter, and wring out excess liquid before mixing into soap. Set purees aside.
2. Prepare Molds
To determine how much glycerin soap base you need, fill mold with water, then pour the water into measuring cup or bowl. Note the amount, pour out the water, then dry mold completely. Evenly coat interior of mold with cooking spray or petroleum jelly; wipe out excess.
3. Melt Soap
Use dough scraper to chop soap base into 1/2-inch pieces. Microwave soap in a glass measuring cup or bowl covered with a paper towel on medium in 30-second intervals until melted but not boiling. (A double boiler can be used instead.) Add more soap pieces as needed, and continue melting. Remove from microwave, and stir until smooth.
4. Mix In Purees
Start with 1 teaspoon puree per cup of soap. Add more as desired. The color will intensify as the purees steep in the warm soap; stir frequently to keep soap from setting. Heavy additives may settle at the bottom, while light ones float to the top. For consistent distribution, let the soap cool (but not solidify); then stir in puree, and pour into mold.
5. Pour Soap into Molds
Fill small containers 3/4 inch full with soap; for cartons, fill partially to form 1 bar at the bottom, or completely to make a block for slicing into bars. Spray surface with alcohol to eliminate bubbles. Let soaps set, 20 to 60 minutes, depending on size. Transfer molds to freezer for about 2 hours (this will help the soaps release from the molds).
6. Release Soap From Molds
Tear away cartons to unmold bars. For hard containers, pry soap away from the sides, and press bottom of container to release. Neaten soap edges with paring knife. Slice large bars into smaller ones. Use soaps within 3 to 4 months.
Soap recipes from MarthaStewart.com
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