How to Make Insect Repellent Soap

Many scents that are pleasant to people are repulsive to bugs. Citronella, lavender and eucalyptus are essential oils that can be used in soap making to form a soap that will help repel nasty bugs of any season.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 1/2 cups rendered tallow
• 1/2 cup coconut or other thick vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/4 cup lye
• 1 Tbsp. eucalyptus oil
• 1 Tbsp. lavender oil
• Glass or stoneware bowls
• Wooden spoon
• Soap molds or shallow baking pan
• Petroleum jelly

1. Coat molds or baking pan generously with petroleum jelly and set aside.

2. Melt tallow and vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Then set it aside.

3. Stir lye into the cold water. Continue to stir, using a wooden spoon, until the lye is completely dissolved. Let this mixture cool.

4. Touch the outside of the bowl containing the lye mixture. If the bowl is cool to the touch, begin slowly pouring the lye into the fat mixture stirring constantly.

5. Continue stirring until the combined mixture becomes thick and creamy. Add the essential oils and stir to distribute them evenly into the soap mixture.

6. Pour it into molds and allow it to harden. Cut the soap into bars and allow it to air dry for several weeks before use.

Tips & Warnings

• Citronella oil can be substituted for the eucalyptus oil if desired. Or you can use 1/2 tablespoon of each in this recipe.
• Depending on the temperature and humidity of your home, the soap may take several days to harden enough to cut.
• It is advisable to wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when making any soap containing lye as a splash can cause severe burns.
• Never use plastic in soap making as the lye can cause the plastic to melt.