First up from the herb garden – my very own homemade soap with herbs and citrus! I thought this would be a lovely homemade Mother’s Day or Teacher Appreciation gift. I picked up some plain, unscented glycerin soap and added herbs from the new garden and some citrus. I love the smell and bright green color of mint.
How to Make Homemade Soap with Herbs and Citrus
I diced up some rosemary to add with lemon zest.
I found some great napkins at Goodwill (where else) for 25 cents and some 50% off ribbon at Hobby Lobby for some easy gift wrapping.
I also thought about putting them on pretty antique plates found at Goodwill for $2. But does it look like I’m giving someone a slice of lemon cake? LOL
Herb and Citrus Soap
Recipe adapted from Martha
You’ll need:
Glycerin soap (sold at craft stores)
Assorted herbs & citrus – I used basil, mint, rosemary, orange and lemon
Food processor
Glass bowl or measuring cup
Plastic spoon or scraper
Soaps molds – any plastic or cardboard container will do
Cooking spray
1. Melt soap
Put the soap blocks in glass bowl & melt in the microwave for 30 second intervals until melted. Stir every so often to break up big chunks.
2. Prepare additives
While melting, puree the herbs and squeeze out excess water in a paper towel. For citrus, zest the peel. You’ll need about 1 tablespoon of additives for each cup.
FYI – Orange + basil = an unattractive muddy green brown color.
3. Get mould containers ready
You can buy cute moulds at the craft store, but any plastic container will work, even your Ziploc containers. Though you might want to use something you can just pitch in the recycle bin when finished rather than trying to clean. Use old milk cartons or even yogurt cups. Spray with cooking spray and wipe out excess.
4. Add purees
Once glycerin is melted, let it stand & cool for a few minutes. Before it sets too much, add the additives. Keep stirring to ensure they don’t all float to the bottom. When you have the color you want (more time stirring = darker color) pour into container.
5. Setting the mould
Let the soap sit on the counter for about an hour to completely set. Then put in the freezer for another hour or so. Then it should pop right out. Slice with knife, give to someone you love and use within 3 months.
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Hi, wonderful idea…can you add coconut oil to this as well for more moisturization of the skin?
One of the best things about making glycerin melt and pour soap is that clean up is SUPER EASY! It’s just soap. I can usually peel out the coating left in the measuring cup easily after the cup cools a bit. Just throw away the ball (I wad it up like a ball), or, preferably, put it by your sink to use. It won’t hurt, and doesn’t waste any product that way. :o) I have some small, silicone ice trays I use for the times I have soap left over, but it’s not enough for another bar. It makes the leftover soap just about the right size for remelting for my next batch, or they can be placed in a shallow bowl/dish in the guest bathroom for your guests to use.
Do you have a way to make liquid soap for a pump bottle?
if you’re adding things like fruit zest, herbs, etc to your soaps, pick up a bottle of liquid vitamin e as well and add that in to your soap. It will preserve the fresh ingredients and help keep your soap from spoiling, giving you a longer shelf life, and it will add moisturizing benefits as well. I like to soak my herbs and zest in the vitamin e for a while before adding it in, to make sure it has time to get into it really well.
How much Vitamin E liquid do you recommend to add for every two cups of liquefied glycerin? Thanks!
Vitamin E is a great antioxidant for adding to soap. It’s good for the skin as well as helping keep your herbs fresh. You really want to get what is called “mixed tocopherols”, available from most soap supply companies like Brambleberry.com or Wholesalesuppliesplus.com. It really takes just a few drops for a small batch of soap like this.
I love this idea and made a small batch this morning. Was wondering if adding a touch of essential oil, i.e. mint, citrus, would compromise the glycerin and herbs. Also, what is the glycerin clean-up process? Can’t wait to get creative with this. Thanks so much.
As far as I know, adding essential oil doesn’t hurt the soap at all. I had fragrance oils and homemade lavender oil to my soaps and they turn out fine.
Essential oils will only enhance your final product. Just remember that it only takes a little. Too much can irritate the skin.
hi! im just wondering where specifically you can buy glycerin soap from? great idea though and completely natural! by the way do you grow your own herbs?x
Hi Mia – you can buy glycerin soap at most craft stores – I got mine at Hobby Lobby. And yes, I love growing my own herbs! Just wish I had a bit more of a green thumb :)
If you don’t need a lot, try Michael’s and A.C. Moore. If you need a bigger supply, go to brambleberry.com. They have great prices for larger quantities. They also offer a wider variety than most local stores. Good luck!
Brambleberry.com is good. Wholsalesuppliesplus.com also offers a variety of herbs and oils and soap bases for your enjoyment. Quality bases are important if you want to get serious about doing soaps. When buying a craft store base, I prefer Hobby Lobby to Michaels or A.C. Moore. The Life of the Party base is good to learn with, but the base at Hobby Lobby (I can’t remember what they call it) is a little better. This is, of course, just my opinion. One of the most important things to remember with heating the base is to never boil it. Cut it into small pieces (half inch or so) and melt in the microwave for no more than 30 seconds at a time, stirring between heating.
This looks like a neat idea to try!! My question is can I use Already dried herbs instead of fresh??
Go for it Brenda!
I’m going to try this with essential oils, dried mint, dried lavender and dried basil, dill & rosemary. (Not necessarily all at once). I can’t wait. I bought clear glycerine soap bars from eBay a few months ago. Excited to try this. Thanks. J
Soo happy to have found your blog…..GREAT stuff!! This is by far the simplest soap DIY I have ever seen, and I will be making some ASAP!!!
Thanks SOOO much :)
http://dolldefined.blogspot.com/
Yes, simple is always better in my book :) Have fun making!
fantastic issues altogether, you just gained a brand new reader.
What would you recommend in regards to your put up that you simply made a few
days in the past? Any certain?
how long do these last? thinking of making them soon for christmas gifts. also, what is the best way to store them? wrapped in wax paper? thanks!
Hi Kerry – they should last for several months so you have plenty of time. No special storage needed – just some pretty wrapping! :)
great thank you! I was wrapping them in wax paper and thought that should work well. I am on my second batch, bought a mold set of 4, and I really like it thus far. My 5 and 3 year old think its pretty cool too :)
hello- is this the kind of glycerin I should buy? http://www.amazon.com/Solutions-Glycerine-Vegetable-16-Fluid-Ounces/dp/B0019LWU2K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353959388&sr=8-1&keywords=glycerin
No, you want a solid glycerin, one like this
http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?requestURI=processProductsCatalog&categoryId=377320&sku=41/1740&BP=10879&ms=search&source=google&cm_mmc=google-_-PLA1-_-41/1740-_-productads-sku^41%2F1740-adtype^pla-adid^18933860168&ci_sku=41/1740&ci_src=17588969&ci_kw=&kwid=productads-sku^41%2F1740-adtype^pla-adid^18933860168
This sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try this for Yule gifts…I’ve been longing for some good sage products lately, so I’m definitely heading that route!
I am anxious to try you citrus soap recipe. What good info.
Hi, why do you score the soap with the knife. The soap recipe looks amazing!
The scoring helps in come out of the container easier, hope that helps :)
Hi Stephanie,
Love these little soapy gifts.
Thanks for writing up the tutorial.
I have featured it…along with some other gifts for teachers here….
http://allysonadeney.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/17-handmade-gift-ideas-for-babies-teachers-with-tutorials/
….if you would like to take a look.
Thanks again for a super cute idea.
Ally on harrysdesk.
I am going to try & make for Christmas gifts for my girls.. Stumbled on this site thru Hooked on Houses!
A blog can never be questioned because you are free anything you want but I highly and positively questioned the blogger for posting this kind of blog. I am really impressed and amazed what a kind of knowledge the blogger has. The passion of blogging in this website shows a lot what kind of personality has the blogger. Congrats for a job well done. I salute your article content!
You are amazing. I am really bad at these homemade things : either I bake too much or I do not put the good quantity. lol.. But this recipe is so easy. I stumbled back !! thanks for visiting our blog
what a great gift idea! Thanks so much for linking up.
Crystal
Great post! I can't wait to try this, I love the smell of mint, it is so invigorating, but it is so hard to find mint products. I also love the idea of knowing exactly what is in mine and my littles bath time products. Thank you for the recipe!!
I stumbled this, and am also following in all ways available. :-) Enjoy your weekend!!
Angel
Chasing Serenity
Beautiful soaps and lovely presentation. You have been stumbled upon.
That is a great recipe. I wrote it down. Thanks! Stumbled this for the Stumble Through Thursday Hop also.
Book Review: Lady-Protector by L.E. Modesitt,Jr.
i wanted to let you know that i am featuring your post today at fridays unfolded!
blessings,
alison
stuff and nonsense
I have Stumbled this post before and still love it. Thank you so much for joining the hop. You have been stumbled! You can find my post here: Blog Hop Commenting
this looks and sounds heavenly – will love to try it!
Kathy
Hi there. These are BEAUTIFUL!
I “stumbled” the post you have at Makobi Scribes new hop, and I ask you to return the favor. I put up the following links on her “stumble hop”:
http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/p/blog-hop-for-… – a page listing hops for every day of the week http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/p/help-make-wor… – a list of charities which are highly rated for using your charitable donations for the purpose you intended http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/p/here-are-some… – a page for recipes – and there are some great ones here http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/2010/11/taking-… – day one of a week-long series examining the death penalty http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/2011/03/expleti… – one of my more popular posts: “Expletive deleted? THANK YOU VERY MUCH!”
Thank you, and have a great week!
I've always thought that presentation is a huge part…and, boy, are you doing it well!! I personally like it on the plate!!
I stumbled you…would love if you could stumble me back: http://www.keenlykristin.com/2011/04/please-help-…
Thanks!
Kristin :)
Thank You!!!! Shared Twitter and FB, stumbled via the hop: http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%…
I'm visiting from Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom. This looks great. What an easy and yummy gift this can make. Thank you for sharing.
My mint just appeared in my garden. I'm going to try my hand at soap making this summer.
Thanks for linking up to Creative Juice, Stephanie! Hope to see you back later tonight!
:)
I will have to try this! By the way, found you through the Alexa hop!
Your soap looks rather delicious!
I've always wondered how to make soap. They look beautiful. Thanks for linking up at DIY Thrifty Thursday @ <a href="http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com” target=”_blank”>www.thrifty101.blogspot.com.
Stephanie, this is a great tutorial! This can be a good personalized gift :) Really appreciate you sharing this great post with us at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop.
Can't wait to try this! Thanks for the tutorial
I love this, what a great idea! Thanks so much for linking up!
Such a fantastic idea. I'm definitely saving the recipe… thanks for sharing!
Great idea! I love it, and I'm glad to be your newest follower. :) Hugs, Wendy
Wow!!! The soaps are just lovely. :) Neat gift ideas. :)
Thanks for joining my Weekend Bloggy Reading party. Hope you had a lovely Easter! :)
Love it, so fresh and earthy! thanks for the instructions! visiting from simply sweet home.
That looks so appetizing. And far easier then I would have imagined! Thanks for the post.
Stopping in from the Alex Hop. Here's a link to my post if you want to check it out: http://www.mapleleafmommy.com/2011/04/check-it-ou…
What a great idea!!
Thanks for linking up! I featured your post on my wrap up! http://tidymom.net/2011/im-lovin-it-wrap-up-4-23-… Happy Easter!
What a great idea!! I bet this smells so good! I have always been scared to make soap, but your tutorial makes it a little less scary – thanks for posting this!
I can't wait to try this. Love the fabric napkin for wrapping!
wow those look so pretty! looks like alot of work tho!
Wow! That would make such a great gift! I'll have to try that!
Visiting from the Alexa Hop!
<3
Rebecca
The Copper Brick Road
Bet you could make easter egg shaped soaps in your silicone easter egg tray!
Too cute! I need to do this!
Oh, those look fabulous! I've never attempted to make my own soap before. Thanks for sharing and for linking up to my Catch a Glimpse party! I'll be featuring this tomorrow! :)
I made orange essential oil from orange peels that's perfect for this project!
New follower from A hop, and I'd love it if you could swing through and follow me back. http://realadventuresfromamomof3.blogspot.com/
Oh what a great idea! I will definitely try to make my own soap! Thank you for sharing!
Wow! How cool! I love this!! And it's so pretty, too! Thanks for the tutorial!
fabulous idea! it looks so great i want some.
I love this idea, citrus soap is my favorite, but I love that I will know exactly what is in it!
Well my goodness! I never thought of using my herbs this way! I have SO much mint and basil each summer! Thanks for a great idea and instructions/recipes!
Hey sweets! I changed the domain name of my blog. All my current readers have to un~follow, then re~follow me. If you have a minute I would love if you re~followed me so we can stay in tune =)
Angel @ <a href="http://www.thislifeissweet.com” target=”_blank”>www.thislifeissweet.com
Wow!!! I love this idea!!! This is totally my style. I would make basil soap! Awesome. I just might try it!
following you now!
I love making glycerin soap and this looks fun! I like to let it partially cool after melting then roll into balls rather than using a mold….your soaps look so pretty
Wow…that is amazing! Thanks so much for linking up! You just have awesome and unique projects! :)