How to Combine Soap Shavings

Soap scraps can become new and custom made bars of soap for your family.

Soap scraps are still soap and don't have to be thrown away. You can make them into new bars, even better ones in fact. In the past when toiletries weren't so readily available, soap scraps were never thrown out -- just collected and reformed into new bars when there were enough. Milling, as it is called, is a way to use your soap scraps and even create custom-made bars of soap with your own personal blend.

Things You'll Need

• Soap scraps
• Hand grater
• Glass measuring cup
• Water
• Stainless steel pot
• Essential oils, ground herbs or oatmeal (optional)
• Wooden spoon
• Mold (optional)
• Olive or vegetable oil (optional)
• Wax paper (optional)

Instructions

1. Grate the soap scraps into a glass measuring cup. Use glass or stainless steel containers when making soap so the product doesn't react with the container.

2. Add 1/2 cup of water per 4 oz. of grated soap, and place in the pot.

3. Melt the soap over low heat until the soap is melted completely, using the wooden spoon and stirring constantly.

4. Add ground herbs such as dried lavender blossoms, abrasives like oatmeal powder or other additives to enhance the bar if you desire. There are a number of things you can add to soap, so try your own combinations for the type of bar you want.

5. Stir the mixture until it begins to cool; it should be the consistency of thick dough but not hard. If the mixture is too watery add more grated soap. If the mix is too hard add a bit of water to loosen it up. Add a few drops of essential oil once the mix begins to cool if you are using it. Don't add it when the mix is hot or the oil will evaporate and not be effective. Use about 6 drops per unit of 4 oz. grated soap you used to make the mix.

6. Mold the soap. You can use a small plastic tub, a shaped container or form them by hand. To form them by hand mold the mix into palm sized balls or logs and roll in wax paper. If using a mold coat it very lightly with olive oil or vegetable oil so the soap will release easily.

7. Cure the soap for several days -- up to 3 to 4 weeks -- in a cool dry area. Leave the soap uncovered when curing and open to the air. The soap will be hard to the touch when it is cured. Store the soap in airtight containers until use.

References

• Practical Herbalist: Milling Soap - A Stove Top How To
• Care 2: Make Your Own Lavender Soap Balls