Hand Milled Soap Recipe

We all love those specialty soaps, you find at soap shops. Sure they're wonderfully scented and rich and creamy, and expensive. I have a few recipes for hand milled soap that rival those expensive brands, for half the price. They're great for a personal treat, or for gift giving.

HAND MILLED SOAP

For Rich and foamy milk soap, you'll need:

2 bars mild unscented white soap
½ cup dry instant milk
water
a small sauce pan
a wooden spoon
plastic soap molds (found at craft supply stores)
a cheese grater
3 drops of essential oils, your choice of scent ( optional )

Directions:
Grate the bars of soap, like you were grating cheese for pizza, into a bowl. In your small sauce pan put ¼ cup of water. Now add your grated soap. Heat on low until melted. Try not to stir. You will be tempted to but don't, or you'll make bubbles that you don't want. When it is all melted, fold in your dry milk. Make sure you don't stir, it's very important to fold gently. Remove from heat, and add essential oils, if desired. Spoon into molds, and stick into the frig until it's set and hard. Remove from frig and take your soap out of the molds. Put your soap on a cooling rack, and put it somewhere to dry. The drying can take up to three weeks. It's very important to make sure your soap is completely dry before wrapping. When you're sure it's thoroughly dry, wrap your creation with plastic wrap, tightly. Tape the wrap closed. To give as a gift, add extra wrappings. I use floral tissue paper, then a corrugated cardboard strip around that. Tape it closed, add a label, and there you have a lovely gift.


Sage Soap

Ingredients:
2 bars mild unscented white soap
¼ cup rubbed sage
water
a small sauce pan
a wooden spoon
plastic soap molds (found at craft supply stores)
a cheese grater

Directions:
Grate the bars of soap, like you're grating cheese for pizza, into a bowl. In your small sauce pan put ¼ cup of water. Now add your grated soap. Heat on low until melted. Try not to stir. You will be tempted to but don't, or you'll make bubbles that you don't want. When it is all melted, fold in your rubbed sage. Make sure you don't stir, it's very important to fold gently. Remove from heat. Spoon into molds, and stick into the frig until it's set and hard. Remove from frig and take your soap out of the molds. Put your soap on a cooling rack, and put it somewhere to dry. The drying can take up to three weeks. It's very important to make sure your soap is completely dry, before wrapping. When you're sure it's thoroughly dry, wrap your creation with plastic wrap, tightly. Tape the wrap closed. To give as a gift, add extra wrappings. I use floral tissue paper, then a corrugated cardboard strip around that. Tape it closed, add a label, and there you have a lovely gift, for your favorite gardener. This soap also acts as a light astringent.


If you are looking for other recipes, check out some of the links in the side bar or check in my archive. There are alot of recipes in both places. I am always looking for new recipes to post on my blog, so please return in the future.


Source: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/home_and_garden_retired/10942