Many people have discovered the joys of making their own soaps, often giving them as presents. The problem is that most folks just don’t use bar soap. That hand-crafted gift will probably sit in the soap dish in the guest bath for years, if it makes it out of the cupboard at all.
One idea for more practical homemade gifts is custom-blended body or hand wash. It’s easy to make and you can create beautiful liquid soap that will remind the recipient of you every time they take a shower or wash their hands!
The easiest way to make your own body wash is to start with a bottle of inexpensive, unscented shampoo. Cheap store brands work very well as a base. Although it’s not required, one additive that will quickly become a favorite is Xanthan gum, a natural thickener that helps make your finished product easier to use and much more like store-bought brands. You’ll need about a 1/2 teaspoon for a cup of body wash.
If you prefer, you can purchase liquid soap base at many web sites and craft stores. If you do, you will only need a thickener if you are adding certain oils, such as citrus, or an infusion that will thin the soap.
To make a simple batch of homemade body wash, add 25 to 30 drops of skin-safe essential oils to a cup of base and mix well. Use peppermint and rosemary oils for invigorating body wash, lavender and vanilla oils for a relaxing shower, or sandalwood and jasmine for a nice pick-me-up. Tea Tree oil and lavender oil make a great antibacterial soap.
You can also infuse 1/4 cup of water with your favorite herbs, flower petals, or citrus peel. Just bring the water to a boil and pour over your ingredients, let them steep for 15 to 30 minutes, and strain the liquid. Slowly stir in the thickener and then mix it with about 3/4 cup of base.
For a great moisturizing blend, try shea butter and aloe vera. Put a tablespoon of shea butter and 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel in a small glass bowl. Heat it in your microwave for about a minute, stirring well every fifteen seconds or so, until the shea butter is completely melted. If you’re using the Xanthan gum, stir this slowly into the mixture before adding it to your base. Stir the warm mixture into 3/4 cup of base and add essential oils as you like.
For any of these recipes, store your body wash in an opaque container out of direct sunlight. Shake them gently before using to ensure that the oils are well-blended. These will keep from 6 months to a year, depending on the ingredients. They also work well as bubble bath.
Like any project, making custom-scented body wash will take some experimentation. Be conservative when adding oils – you can always add more if you find the scent too faint. It’s worth the trial and error, though. Imagine the pride you will take in answering your friends when they ask where you bought that great-smelling soap!
