CRAFT: Citrus and Herb Soaps

Summer isn't over yet! There's still plenty of time to enjoy all the yummy citrus scents out there before fall rolls in -- and fall is my favorite season, so I can't wait to break out my boots and make something with pumpkin in it :) There's just something wonderfully refreshing about citrus in the summer, especially when it's in soap-form!

I've been trying my hand at melt and pour soaps for a few months now (I've tried honey oatmeal soap and heart soap so far). Soaps are great for gifts because they're SO customizable. There are tons of different essential oils and additives that you can find online or at your local craft store. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, you can grab some ingredients you have on hand like citrus and fresh herbs and make some homemade soaps with me!

Gather up all of your ingredients and  make sure your fruit peels are well-washed and dried beforehand.

Supplies: citrus fruits like lemons, limes, or grapefruits, fresh herbs of your choice -I used basil, mint and rosemary, soap mold (any silicone mold will work, or you can grease up some glass bowls like I did), glycerin melt and pour soap, food processor.

First, wash and grate the rind of your citrus. Use your food processor to process your herbs into small pieces. For the rosemary, you'll have to cut it into very fine pieces by hand.

 

Next, melt your glycerin soap in the microwave and mix in your citrus and herbs. I used 1/2 cup glycerin soap with 1 teaspoon citrus and 1 teaspoon of the herbs. Mix well.

Pour your soap into your soap mold. If you don't have a soap mold, never fear! You can use pretty much anything. Washed plastic yogurt cups work well, but this time I decided to use some small glass bowls I got from the Dollar Store. If you're not using a mold that is pliable, make sure you use vegetable oil to coat your mold well before pouring the soap in so it comes out easily.

Let your soap sit out for an hour, and then finish with an additional 20 minutes in the freezer to set. Carefully push your soap out of the mold. If you're using a glass dish like I did, you may need to use a butter knife to carefully loosen the edges some.

Enjoy your pretty soaps!

The finished soaps smell like a day at the spa. I think the lemon basil is my favorite, but I really love all of them.

Note: These soaps are best when used immediately. Since they are made with fresh herbs, they will eventually go bad if not used within 1-2 months. 

Happy soap making!

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