DIY herbal soap
Either as a gift or for your own bathroom, you can make your own soaps using home-grown herbs by following these simple steps.
If the idea of DIY soap sounds a little daunting, there’s no need to be put off. You can now buy simple melt and pour glycerin bases for your soap from a craft shop so that the hard work has been taken care of. They are completely customisable so you can add your favourite herbs or essential oils to suit your tastes. Glycerin is available in many colours as a solid block that can be simply melted as needed.
When it comes to the herbs to use, anything goes. Use whatever fresh or dried herb combinations you like. Popular choices include lavender, mint, lemongrass and basil. You can also add in some lemon, lime or orange rind for a boost of freshness.
You will need:
- Soap mold
- A glass bowl
- Microwave
- A bamboo skewer for stirring
- A spray bottle with rubbing alcohol (optional)
How to:
1. Chop your selected herbs and set aside.
2. Place your soap mold on a level surface.
3. Slice off enough glycerin to fill your molds. Chop it into smaller pieces as these are
easier to melt. Place these into your glass bowl.
4. Place the glass bowl in the microwave to melt the glycerin. Use 30-second
increments and keep checking until the soap is melted.
5. Now add in your herbs and mix well with the skewer.
6. Spray some rubbing alcohol into your mold to prevent bubbles forming in your soap.
7. This step is optional but gives a more professional result.
8. Pour the soap into your molds, spraying some more of the rubbing alcohol on the
top. Leave the soap to cool.
9. Remove the soap from the molds and they are ready to be used; or wrap in tissue paper to give as a gift.