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homemade recipes: soap
BATH POTPOURRI BAGS
For each bag, combine equal parts dried chamomile, mint,
and lavender. If you don't have access to muslin tea bags,
cut squares of muslin and tie with jute or kite rope.
Toss 1 or 2 bags into warm bath.
Variation -
3 or 4 chamomile tea bags
3 or 4 fresh oranges (sliced)
Equal parts lavender and lemon rind or dried lemon
NATURES LIQUID SHOWER SOAP
This shower soap is ideal for everyday use.
1/2 C. distilled water
1/2 C. orange flower water
1 Tblsp. dried peppermint leaves
1 Tblsp. dried chamomile
1 Tblsp. dried rose petals
1 Tblsp. orange blossoms
1/2 Tblsp. unscented glycerin soap
1 tsp. castor oil
Combine the distilled water and orange flower water in a saucepan and
bring to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add the dried
peppermint, chamomile, rose petals and orange blossoms. Let steep for one hour.
Strain the herbs and flowers from the water and reheat gently. Add the
glycerin soap and stir in the castor oil. Let cool to room temperature
and pour into a plastic bottle.
LEMON SCENTED LOOFAH SOAP
When powdered loofah is mixed into soap, it makes a wonderful exfoliator. Loofah can be dried, shredded, and then added to soap.
1 (4 ounce) bar unscented glycerin soap (or grab a bar of Neutragena )
1 teaspoon loofah powder
15 drops lemon essential oil, or lemon oil fragrance
Melt the bar of glycerin soap in a small saucepan over low heat until the soap has liquefied. Remove from heat and stir in powdered loofah, and lemon oil. Pour soap into a mold and let set for about four hours, or until hardened. NOTE:To make the powder, loofah can be cut up into tiny pieces using a pair of sharp scissors, or you can purchase it in powder form.
*Bubble Gum Antibacterial Hand Cleanser*
The children will LOVE to clean their hands with this!
1/2 cup aloe vera gel
1/4 cup 99% rubbing alcohol
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon bubble gum fragrance oil
Mix ingredients together. Pour into a pump-style bottle or a squeeze bottle.
Use a quarter sized dollop and rub hands together. Wipe residue off of hands with a paper towel.
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BEDTIME BATH JELLY
1/2 cup water
1 envelope unflavored gelatine (like knox)
1/2 cup liquid soap
6 drops lavender essential oil
Food coloring 2d red + 1d blue= violet(optional)
Heat the water until boiling and dissolve the gelatine in it.
Remove from heat, Stir gently and blend in 1/2 cup liquid soap,
do not whip the mixture or it could become foamy
Pour the mixture into a mason jar.Put in the refrigerator to
gel(solidify).
To use, place a small amount of jelly under running bath water.
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Red, White, and Blue BATH JELLY
1 cup water
2 envelopes unflavored gelatine (like knox)
1 cup clear liquid soap
a few drops of vanilla fragrance
Food coloring
Heat the water until boiling and dissolve the gelatine in it.
Remove from heat, Stir gently and blend in the liquid soap,
do not whip the mixture or it could become foamy
Pour the mixture into 3 separate bowls. Add red food coloring to one,
Blue in another and leave the third plain. Stir and cool until slightly
thickened. Pour the Red Mix in a jelly jar, gently pour the clear mix
next, followed by the blue and cap tightly. Put in the refrigerator to
gel completely(solidify).
To use, place a scoop of Bath Jelly under running water.
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FOAMING BATH OIL BALLS
Ingredients:
1/4 c. baking soda
2 Tbsp. citric acid or ascorbic acid (powdered vitamin C)
1 Tbsp. Borax powder (for softening)
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar (for binding)
2 Tbsp. sweet almond oil 1 tsp. Vitamin E oil (preservative)
1/4 tsp. fragrance or essential oil
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended. Drizzle in almond oil and stir until mixture is moistened. Add vitamin E oil and fragrance and stir until well mixed. Form teaspoon size portions of mixture into ball shapes . Mixture will be crumbly - Add a small amount of vitamin E oil to soften if needed. Place the balls on a sheet of wax paper and leave for 2-3 hours. Reshape . Allow bath oil balls air-dry and harden for 10 days. Store in a closed container to protect from moisture.
To use : drop one foaming bath oil ball into bath water.
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CLEOPATRA'S MILK BATH
Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile, inspired the recipe for this
delicious, skin-softening milk bath.
What you need:
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup honey
1 tbsp. baby oil
1 cup rose petals
Swirl milk, honey, and oil into very warm bathwater. Toss in
rose petals. Soak for at least 20 minutes.
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Make Your Own Bath Salts
For Yourself or as a Gift
You will need:
1 box epsom salts (available at any drug store) 1 tablespoon glycerin (again, available at most drug stores)
2 drops of essential oils for scent (optional)
food coloring (optional)
Mix all these ingredients together in a large glass bowl until thoroughly blended. Store your bath salts in a tightly-sealed glass jar. To use, simply add one or two tablespoons to a bathtub full of warm water and enjoy.
Essential oils can usually be purchased at health food stores or from retailers like The Body Shop. Some of the most common fragrances, and their uses are:
rosemary, mints, citrus: energizing, rejuvenating
lavender, jasmine: relaxing, soothing away stress (great for fussy children
patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang: romance
You can also use a couple of drops of your favorite perfume or cologne for that extra-personal touch.
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*INEXPENSIVE SKIN SOFTENER FOR THE BATH*
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup Sea Salt (Fine Crystal Sea Salt)
1 cup baking soda
For dry skin, especially in the winter months, I love using Fine
Crystal Sea Salt (in the seasonings isle at your local grocery store). Also
baking soda!!!! Just add 1/4 cup of Sea Salt and 1 cup of baking soda
to running bath water....Feels soooo smooth and makes you feel as if you
don't need lotion after bathing...its great and CHEAP
