How to Make Citronella Soap

Citronella is known for repelling mosquitoes and other pests, making citronella soap perfect for camping trips, outdoor activities or travel to mosquito-ridden corners of the world. But citronella is also invigorating and uplifting. Handmade citronella soap will nourish your skin and perk your senses while keeping those pesky flying critters away.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pure castile soap (bar form)
• Soap molds
• Dried pennyroyal leaves
• Electric mixer
• Citronella essential oil
• Eucalyptus essential oil

1. Grate 1 cup of pure castile soap and add it to 1/2 cup of boiling water. Castile soap is a natural product created from olive oil and will moisturize and soften the skin. You can use natural castile soap, or choose a castile soap with a natural fragrance, such as eucalyptus or hemp.
2. Stir the soap and water until the soap is completely melted, then add 1 tbsp. dried, crushed pennyroyal leaves. Remove from heat and begin mixing the ingredients with an electric mixer.
3. Allow the ingredients to cool to a temperature which is comfortable to touch and add 10 drops of citronella essential oil and 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Continue mixing the ingredients until it has doubled in size.
4. While still slightly warm, spoon your soap mix into lightly oiled molds. Allow your natural citronella soap to cool completely before carefully tapping it out of the mold.

Tips & Warnings

• Press the citronella soap mixture firmly into the soap molds to ensure that your soap does not crumble when dry.
• You can purchase special molds in various shapes just for soap, or you might try ice cream scoops, candy molds or roll the mixture firmly into balls with your hands.