Happily Homemade ~ A guide to simple all natural soapmaking & homemade home cleaning products.

What I love about making natural homemade soap:

1)  It’s good clean fun and it’s easy!!   

2)  A great family project.  My children enjoy watching and helping.

3)  I know and feel good about what’s in the soap we use!  

4) It’s a fun hobby & I can get creative!

5)  Better soap!  I have found nothing better than all natural goat’s milk soap!

 What I love about cleaning with homemade cleaners:

1)      I love that I know what is in the cleaners! (no mysterious or dangerous ingredients/chemicals)  See: Dangers of store bought household cleaners

2)       I love that my children can help clean without me worrying about them   touching something harmful.

3)       I love not breathing in chemical cleaning smells but natural smells like lavender!

4)       I feel healthier & enjoy cleaning more because I feel good about what I’m using.

5)      The price!  Making homemade cleaners is so much cheaper!

How to make Natural Glycerin Soap

What you need to get started: 

 The following is for making 2 (4 oz) bars of soap

1) 1/2 lb all Natural  Melt & Pour Glycerin Soap Base.   They are usually sold in one or two pound blocks. M&P Soap bases are usually readily available at craft stores such as Michaels & Hobby Lobby.  However, if you are wanting an all natural soap you will find truly natural soap bases more easily online. 

Some sites to check out: www.chemistrystore.com,  www.cierracandles.com

www.fromnaturewithlove.com, www.newdirectionsaromatics.com

There are different varieties of soap bases: honey, oatmeal, aloe vera, goat’s milk and more.  

 2) Soap Molds:  Soap molds are a lot of fun. They come in almost every shape and design imaginable!  They can also be found at craft stores or online.  The best quality soap molds are "Milky Way Molds".  Some online stores that carry them:   http://www.milkywaymolds.com   www.cierracandles.com  http://www.chemistrystore.com/milkyway.htm

3) 1/2 teaspoon (approx. 25 drops) 100% Essential Oil (per 8 oz of soap base). If you are not familiar with essential oils and the benefits of them please check out "Why Essential Oils" at right side bar.  You might be surprised to know that essential oils are sometimes available in large supermarkets in the aromatherapy bath products section.  They  readily available online.  Adding essential oils is optional.     (*If pregnant please consult your Dr. before using any essential oil products.)   If you don’t care to invest in essential oils, I would recommend buying a goat’s milk soap base as it naturally has a very light sweet smell. 

Microwave Directions: (Stove top Directions below!)

1) Cut a 1/2 lb of the soap base into chunks and place in a microwave safe large glass measuring cup. 

2) Microwave at short intervals (approx 20 seconds at a time), stirring each time.  Microwave until just melted.  You do not want to microwave longer than necessary as this can negatively affect the quality of the soap.

3)Add any essential oils, herbs or other ingredients you desire at this time (see "Getting Creative at right side bar for ideas) and stir gently.

4) Carefully pour into soap molds and let set for 20-30 minutes on a flat surface out of reach of little ones.

5) Place molds in freezer for 20-30 minutes.

6) Remove from freezer.  Turn molds over and pop soap out of each mold.  If soap doesn’t seem to want to come out place molds back in the  freezer for another 15 minutes.

Stove top Directions: Cut a 1/2 lb. of the soap base into smaller chunks and heat until just melted in a double boiler on your stove top. Then simply follow steps 3-6 above!

 Enjoy using your homemade all natural glycerin soap!         

Getting Creative

One of my favorite things about making my own soaps is getting creative!

    First you can try different combinations of Essential Oils.  Next you can try adding other ingredients to your soaps such as herbs or ground oats.                                                                        One of my favorite combination is using a honey soap base and adding orange essential oil, clove bud essential oil, ground oats & a small dash of cinnamon.   These additional ingredients would be added when you add the Essential Oils to the melted soap base.     There are lots of recipes online.  I’ve found I have the most fun making up my own recipes though!

Other ways to get creative:

Swirl Effect: Instead of using 8 oz of one kind of soap base use 4 oz of goat’s milk soap base and 4 oz of olive oil soap base.   Melt the 4 oz of olive oil soap base & add some essential oil, stir and pour into molds filling them just half way.  Let set for 3-4 minutes (just until slightly set).  Then melt the 4 oz of goat’s milk soap base.  Carefully & slowy pour the goat’s milk base over the olive oil base already in the molds.   The goat’s milk base will leak through into the olive oil base some and make a swirl effect.  The appearance will vary depending on how long you let the first base set before adding the second one over it.  

Chunk Bars: Take a honey or olive oil based soap bar you have already made and cut it into square chunks.  Place a few chunks in the bottom of each mold.  Melt goat’s milk soap base and gently pour it  around the chunks in the mold.  Let set & freeze as normal.   You can see the chunks in the soap.

Why use Essential Oils

Essential oils are oils that come from the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, wood & seeds of plants.  Therefore they are 100% natural.  Essential oils are naturally therapeutic and have been proven to be beneficial to the mind and body when used correctly.

Synthetic (artificial) fragrances, which are used in almost all store bought soaps, are composed of many different chemicals.  Synthetic fragrances are the most frequent cause of skin irritations & allergic reactions in cosmetics and bathroom products.

Below are brief examples of benefits of some of the frequently used Essential Oils:                                                           Lavender: soothing, calming, most versatile essential oil

Tea Tree: naturally antibacterial, antifungal & antiviral

(That is why it is used in homemade cleaning recipes)

Chamomile: soothing calming & relaxing

Peppermint: refreshing, cooling

Lemon: uplifting, cheering 

Orange: uplifting, refreshing

Ylang Ylang: sensual, aphrodisiac

*Please note the use of some Essential Oils is not advised during pregnancy.  Consult your doctor before using essential oils if you are expecting.

HOMEMADE HOME CLEANING RECIPES

General Household cleaning spray:

What you need: 2 cups water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 6 drops Lavender  Essential Oil & 4 drops Tea Tree Oil.

Combine and pour into spray bottle.  Spray surface and wipe with moist cloth.                                                           

Homemade Window Cleaner:   

What you need: 1/2 tsp mild liquid dish soap, 3 T white vinegar, 2 cups water, optional 6 drops essential oil.  

Combine and pour into a spray bottle.  Clean windows as usual.  

Homemade Cleaner for Wood Floors: 

What you need: 2 cups water & 1 tea bag

Boil water then place tea bag in water and let set for 10 minutes.  Remove tea bag.

Lightly moisten a soft cloth with the tea and wipe down the floor.

Your floor will dry quickly and look great! 

Vinyl/Laminate Floor Cleaner:

What you need:  ¼ cup white vinegar,  2 gallons hot water, & essential oil (optional)

Combine ingredients & Mop floor as usual.

Bathroom Cleaner (sink/tub/shower):

What you need: 1/3 c baking soda  ¼ cup liquid hand soap,  ¼ cup warm water, 4 drops essential oil (optional)  I love lavender, orange or lemon

Combine in a small bowl & stir well.   Moisten a sponge with warm water and wipe down surfaces with homemade bathroom cleaner.  Rinse well.

*For a scrubbing cleaner: instead use ½ cup baking soda, ¼ cup liquid hand soap & essential oils.  Mix until frothy, scoop onto sponge.  Scrub and rinse well.

Drain Opener

What you need: 1 C baking Soda, 1 Cup Vinegar & boiling water

Dissolve 1 cup baking soda and one cup vinegar in boiling water and pour down the drain. Continue to flush with hot tap water until the clog is gone.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

What you need: Baking Soda

Simply sprinkle baking soda around the rim. Scrub with toilet brush as needed. This will clean and deodorize.

Homemade Microwave Cleaner:

What you need:  2 T lemon juice & 1 C water

Combine  in microwave safe bowl.  Microwave 5 minutes and wipe down with moist cloth.

 Happy Cleaning!