Soap Sponge DIY: An Easy Way to Exfoliate Skin & Reduce Plastic Waste

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February 20, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 6 Comments

Learn how to make a soap sponge to use as part of your daily skin care routine. These soaps are dual purpose with an exfoliating sponge and a soap in one product. With proper care, your homemade soap sponges will last about two months. And they offer a number of benefits, not just in skin care, but for the environment as well. Keep reading to discover the benefits of soap sponges, plus how to make your own with just two simple ingredients and a sponge.

The first time I saw a soap sponge in a soap making group on Facebook, I was intrigued. Was it a solid bar of soap with a sponge inside? Would that even be comfortable to use? How do you make one without making a mess?

Since I love playing with all things soap, I decided to take on the challenge and teach you how to make a DIY soap sponge without making a mess.

I was pleasantly surprised that a DIY soap sponge wasn’t messy or hard to make. It was actually one of the easier melt and pour soap making projects that I’ve done.

Unlike DIY loofah soap, which is a loofah embedded inside melt and pour soap, a soap sponge is a sponge that is infused with soap. It’s still soft and squishy, so it feels like and works like, well, a sponge.

Why Use a Soap Sponge?

First off, you may be wondering, what is a soap sponge? A soap sponge is exactly what the name implies. It’s soap in a sponge. So like body wash on a loofah, soap sponges lather and cleanse skin when used. But what are the benefit of using a soap sponge over traditional body wash?

They help reduce plastic use.

Going completely zero waste is nearly impossible. Everything comes in packaging even if it’s just the supplies for production. While bar soap and even syndet shampoo bars are a great way to reduce waste in your daily bath and beauty routine, not everyone loves bar soap.

There are a lot of body wash fans out there. This can make reducing plastic waste even more of a challenge. However, an easy way to ditch your plastic body wash bottle is by using a soap sponge! What makes this even more amazing, is that you can make your own DIY soap sponges yourself, at home.

Once the soap is gone from your soap sponges, you can reuse the sponges for household cleaning, such as tackling your grungy toilet or shower door.

They offer gentle skin exfoliation.

Another benefit of soap sponges is that they offer the added benefit of daily skin exfoliation without any extra steps.

Every day, skin cells die and rise to the surface of your skin before they eventually fall off. These dead skin cells make your skin look dull and sometimes feel itchy. The sponge I used exfoliates the skin to remove this top layer of dead skin cells.

Unlike a body scrub, this sponge is a gentle exfoliant. It’s safe for both kids and adults, even for sensitive skin. It gently removes dead skin cells without causing redness or irritation.

You won’t notice a big difference the first time you use it, but after several uses your skin will start to look brighter and healthier.

How to Make a Soap Sponge

The Best Sponges for Making Soap in a Sponge

I bought a set of 5 soft sponges to make my soap sponges. They are made with natural fibers and soft to the touch. They also have a rope in them so you can hang the sponges to dry after you use them.

These sponges are shipped in a vacuum sealed bag. As soon as I cut open the bag, they puffed up but they were deformed. I soaked them in water and squeezed them, and they looked great. Let them dry completely before dipping them in the soap.

The sponges I used measure 5.12 inches x 3.5 inches x 2 inches. If you use smaller or larger sponges, you may need to adjust the amount of melt and pour soap that you use.

Choosing Your Melt and Pour Soap Base

Since my sponges were multicolored, I decided to use a clear melt and pour soap. I didn’t add any colorant, but you can if you use a solid color sponge.

I used Crafter’s Choice clear melt and pour soap. Their clear soap is very clear and doesn’t set up too fast. It gives a decent lather for a melt and pour soap, so it makes a good soap for the bath. This brand also offers a number of options, including all natural options as well as bases with additives like aloe, shea butter, goat milk and even oatmeal.

While Stephenson’s also offers natural melt and pour soap bases, their bases tend to cool and set up more quickly. Therefore, I do not recommend their bases for this particular project.

Add a Natural Essential Oil Blend

Because I shower in the mornings, I wanted a fresh scent that would lift and lighten my mood. What better way to start a day, right? So I used the Happy Joy blend from Simply Earth. (It’s a recent, and one of my favorite additions, from their monthly essential oil recipe box.)

A blend of geranium, sweet orange, grapefruit, and ylang ylang, this natural essential oil blend works wonders at helping to get me motivated to start my day! It’s a light and fun scent. Plus, it’s also a synergy that can help boost your mood and uplift your spirits. I have a roller with this blend as well, and I keep it by my desk so I can use it while I’m working.

The Happy Joy essential oil blend is only kid safe for children over 10. Therefore, if you’re giving your DIY soap sponges to a child, try a kid safe essential oil blend. Alternately, you can also use a fragrance oil instead.

Ready to make your very first soap sponge? You can find the tutorial for making soap sponges below. But first, I wanted to share a few soap making tips before your get started.

Tips for Making Soap Sponges

I used sponges with a rope in them. The rope got dipped in the soap with the sponge, and it was fine. It got firm, but it wasn’t completely hard. The soap will dissolve the first few times you use it anyway.

You should be practicing safe soap making even with melt and pour soap. Always use heat proof gloves and eye protection when making a soap sponge because the soap is hot and can splatter. These gloves are PVC coated and liquid and heat resistant.

I put a clothes hanger on my cupboard knob and used S hooks to hang my soap sponges after they were done. They didn’t drip much, but I had newspapers on the counter to catch drips.

You will have some soap left over. Pour it into a small mold to use as a hand soap or save it for the next time you make soap sponges.

Unlike cold process soap, melt and pour soap doesn’t need time to cure. It’s ready to use as soon as it’s cool.

Soap Sponge Recipe

Ingredients:

2 sponges
8 ounces clear melt and pour soap
½ teaspoon Happy Joy essential oil blend

Instructions:

Use a digital scale to weigh out the melt and pour soap base. Then, using a sharp knife, cut the melt and pour soap into one inch cubes.

Next, combine the melt and pour soap cubes in a heat safe container. Melt the soap in the microwave in 30 second bursts until melted. You’ll want to stir the soap between each interval to help the soap melt faster, and ensure even heating.

Once the soap base melts, carefully remove the soap from the microwave. I recommend using a tea towel to handle the container as it may be hot.

Then, add the essential oil blend to the melted soap base. Stir well for at least 30 seconds to combine.

Now, while wearing heat resistant gloves, dip each edge of the sponge into the melted soap. Then dip the top and the bottom.

Squeeze gently to remove excess soap.

Repeat the process until the sponge will no longer hold any additional soap. Each sponge should soak up about 4 ounces of the melt and pour soap base.

If necessary, gently reheat the soap if it starts to solidify during the process.

Once you’ve completed making a soap sponge, hang to dry.

Your DIY soap sponge is ready to use once it’s cooled and hardened completely. However, I recommend waiting a day prior to use.

How to Use A Soap Sponge

The soap sponge isn’t a solid piece of soap, so it feels more like a sponge than a bar of soap. To use, just wet it and squeeze it to make a lather. Then use it like you would any soap.

How to Care for Soap Sponges

Water is the enemy of melt and pour soap. If you let this sit in water, the soap will dissolve quickly. To help it last longer, set it on a soap dish or hang it where it won’t get hit by water.

If you hang it up between uses, it should last about two months.

Yield: 2 Soap Sponges

DIY Soap Sponge

Make a dual purpose DIY soap sponge to use as part of your daily skin care routine to exfoliate and cleanse skin in one easy step for beautiful, glowing skin. An easy melt and pour soap recipe for beginners.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Active Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Difficulty Easy

Materials

8 ounces clear melt and pour soap
½ teaspoon skin safe essential oil blend

Tools

2 bath sponges with rope
heat resistant PVC coated gloves
knife to cut soap
scale to weigh soap
microwave
bowl

Instructions

Cut the melt and pour soap into one inch cubes.
Melt in the microwave in 30 second bursts until melted. Stir between each interval to help the soap melt faster.
Remove the soap from the microwave carefully. Add the essential oil and stir well for at least 30 seconds.
Wear heat resistant gloves and dip each edge of the sponge into the soap. Then dip the top and the bottom. Squeeze gently to remove excess soap. Repeat the process until you each sponge is filled with half of the soap.
Hang to dry.

Zero waste skin care recipe for a DIY soap sponge. Learn how to make a soap sponge to use as part of your daily skin care routine. These soaps are dual purpose with an exfoliating sponge and a soap in one product. With proper care, your homemade soap sponges will last about two months. And they offer a number of benefits, not just in skin care, but for the environment as well. Discover the benefits of soap sponges, plus how to make your own with just two simple ingredients and a sponge.

Love this easy melt and pour soap making project for making DIY soap sponges? Then be sure to pin this recipe to Pinterest for later. And check out my Pinterest board for Easy Melt and Pour Soap Recipes for Beginners.

More Melt and Pour Soap Projects

If you enjoyed this tutorial and recipe for making DIY soap sponges, then you may also want to explore some of these other easy melt and pour soap recipes for beginners.

Discover more of my soap making projects by following me across all your favorite social media platforms. You can follow Soap Deli News blog on facebook, twitter and instagram. You can also find me on Blog Lovin‘. Or sign up to receive an email whenever I share a new post!

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, DIY Craft Project, Soapmaking Tagged With: bath and body, crafts, diy, easy, eco-friendly, gift idea, melt and pour soap, melt and pour soap recipe, melt and pour soapmaking, natural skin care, skin care recipes, soap tutorial, soapmaking, zero waste

Spring Cleaning Tips: How to Naturally Clean & Declutter Your Home

January 30, 2020 By Rebecca D. Dillon 4 Comments

Part of getting my home in order for spring, involves spring cleaning. This includes decluttering — and grudgingly tossing out those craft and soap making supplies that have hung around a bit too long. While spring cleaning is probably one of my least favorite chores ever, it doesn’t have to be a full on gladiator challenge. Get your home in order this spring with these easy spring cleaning tips and tricks. Plus discover ideas for decluttering your home and utilizing natural cleaners. Following are my best spring cleaning tips and homemade cleaner recipes to help you get your butt in gear and start the new season off right!

Spring Cleaning & Decluttering Your Home

Although it’s been a mild winter thus far, I’m still looking forward to spring. As the weather gets warmer, the birds start chirping and the flowers and trees start to grow. I also prepare for a new beginning and growth in my home. It’s definitely an inspirational time for me. Not only do I get excited about getting outdoors again, but I’m also always stoked to start on new projects. However, a clean space — without the clutter from the previous year — is paramount to both my productivity and creativity.

With the stress of the holidays gone, along with all those crazy commitments, I’m finally recharged and ready to tackle spring cleaning in my house. Spring cleaning isn’t my favorite chore, but the reward is well worth it. Knowing that everything is clean gives me a sense of peace and calm. And, of course, it grounds me better than any other activity out there. (Sad, but true. If only I had the patience to meditate.)

I used to dread spring cleaning. Now I look at it as a time to get organized and start fresh, which helps improve my mood and motivates me to get it done.

Easy Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks to Get the Job Done

If you dread spring cleaning, here are some helpful, spring cleaning tips that will aid you in getting your home clean and organized naturally. All without having to turn it into a huge production resulting in weeks worth of memes on your Facebook page and no actual progress.

Declutter Your Home

Weeks before I begin the actual cleaning, I start decluttering. Why waste my time cleaning things that I don’t want? And to be honest, you can clean anytime. I mean, you do it all year long anyway. (Well, I hope you do. There are some single dudes I know that are just flat out gross. Their kitchen floor literally requires a blow torch, not a mop.) Therefore decluttering tops my list of spring cleaning tips.

To get started decluttering my home, I go through each room with two baskets and a trash bag, one at a time. Trash goes in the trash bag, things that don’t belong in that room go in one box, and things I want to get rid of go in the other box. You’d be amazed at how much stuff you don’t need anymore! (And while I know you haven’t used all that shea butter up yet, it’s hitting the end of its shelf life and has got to go. Because seriously, while you could throw it into a soap recipe this weekend, are you really going to 100% make that happen?)

The things I don’t want I take directly to my car to drop off at a thrift store that benefits charities. Other things, like ingredients on their last leg and those spices in my cabinets that are basically flavorless dirt granules at this point, get tossed. I have less clutter, and other people benefit.

Although sometimes I think people benefit more from me tossing the “garbage” in my pantry (I mean, if I don’t want to eat it, do they?) than the clothing I drop off at the thrift store. The same, of course, can be said for that ever growing stash of soap making supplies that stretches on to infinity. The last thing you want to do is invest the time it takes to make cold process soap only to end up with dreaded orange spots at the end of a cure because you held onto that olive oil too long.

Decide How to Clean

Once you declutter your home, then decide how you’re going to clean. I clean room by room. This helps me stay motivated because I can finish a room and feel a sense of accomplishment once it’s done. It also keeps me from getting overwhelmed. After all, no one wants to see me sheltered in a corner talking to myself anymore than I usually do. (I’m self employed, dammit. It’s called a staff meeting!)

I have a friend who does one chore all over the house. She cleans every window at the same time, then she cleans all of the floors. This saves her the time and hassle of getting out the same cleaning products over and over.

Make a Schedule

I would love to get my all of my spring cleaning done in just one or two days. However, I can’t do that without risking a fibro flare. Although I take supplements that help me manage my fibro, I have to respect my daily limits. (Self care, while important for EVERYONE, matters even more when you have a chronic illness. Because literally it can put you out of commission for days to weeks.)

Whether it’s your health or your work schedule that dictates how much you can do in a day, it’s helpful to make a plan. Sometimes it takes me up to two weeks to spring clean. That’s okay! Take your time and it will get done eventually. You’ll find that trying my spring cleaning tips as well a developing your own spring cleaning tips and tricks that fit your lifestyle and personality, really does help.

I make a plan for a room a day and skip some days so I don’t overexert myself. You don’t have to get everything done in one day.

Work Top to Bottom

When it is time to start spring cleaning, always work from the ceiling to the floor. Any dust that you move around will fall to the floor, so it’s important to clean your floors last.

I’m no seven foot NBA player, so getting cobwebs from the ceiling or cleaning the walls is a nightmare. I love this Compact Mop and Broom Kit for dusting the ceiling and walls, however. I use the microfiber mopping cloth dry or slightly damp to dust the ceiling and walls. It makes it so quick, and I can finally reach them without risking falling off of a chair.

Not only is it made from recycled materials, this makes multi-tasking a snap and the collapsable handle saves on space.

Once the ceiling and walls are clean, I move onto the surfaces and finally the floors. Afterwards, I just toss the microfiber mop head into the washing machine, so there’s zero waste.

Tips on Spring Cleaning Your Home with Natural, Non-toxic Cleaners

Steam Cleaning

Another of my favorite spring cleaning tips is to steam clean. I don’t want to use chemicals when I clean, so my preference is to clean with steam for those extra dirty jobs. I have a portable steam cleaner that I use for surfaces, including the microwave, sinks, bathrooms, and more. Not all surfaces can be steam cleaned, so check the manufacturer’s instructions before using it.

Steam cleaning removes up to 99.9 percent of bacteria and other germs. It’s a great way to kill germs with just water and no chemicals.

Of course, if a steam mop isn’t part of your doomsday arsenal, you can always make your own DIY all purpose cleaner with essential oils to disinfect floors and other surfaces. (Just be sure to sub the tea tree oil if you have pets in your home.)

Alternately, if you’re in the market for a steam mop, the PurSteam Thermapro Steam Mop is truly multi-surface and multi-functional. It can be used on hardwood floors, tile, laminate, carpet and even clothing. In addition, it’s also pet friendly. And the small size means it doesn’t take up half my utility closet.

All Purpose Cleaner

The all purpose cleaners that you find in stores can be toxic and not healthy for you, your family, or your pets. So choosing the right cleaning products for your home is important. Products such as Mrs. Meyer’s all purpose cleaner, which is made from plant-derived ingredients, as well as Aunt Fannie’s cleaning vinegar are the perfect natural alternatives for cleaning your kitchen and bathroom.

In addition to buying non-toxic, commercial cleaners, you can also make your own natural cleaning products. If you’re new to making your own cleaners, I recommend starting with an all purpose cleaner because you’ll use it often in the kitchen and in the bath. Here’s a very easy and basic all purpose cleaner recipe with vinegar, water and essential oils.

Alternately, if you significant other has threatened maiming, torture or death if you ever use vinegar to clean the house again, here’s a vinegar free all purpose cleaner that uses Sal Suds to clean instead. (It’s pretty crazy awesome. It got an old wine stain off my laminate countertop.)

All purpose cleaners are great for general cleaning, but they don’t work well on stuck on dirt or dried food spills. Therefore, I recommend making this natural cleaning clay recipe. It works like a soft scrub cleanser and is perfect for cleaning your stove top, tile floors or glass. It requires just three simple ingredients and is ready to use in just 5-minutes.

Liquid Castile Soap

I also use liquid castile soap to clean my home. Typically, I’ll use it in the mop bucket and dilute it to clean surfaces. I’ve tried making my own liquid Castile soap, but it always separates. Therefore, I usually just pick up Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap instead.

Not only is Dr. Bronner’s a quality liquid soap, it’s also safe enough you wouldn’t feel completely terrible about washing out your teenager’s mouth with it. While not something I condone, I certainly won’t play innocent and balk over thinking about it a time or two. Even the most perfect children can drive you up the wall. Especially during that “no” stage. And the one where they question everything… “But why?”

If you’re short on cupboard space like I am, here’s how to make a liquid castile soap concentrate for cleaning. This won’t separate like a homemade liquid will and it will save you some dough if you’re on a budget.

Laundry Cleaners

My washer and dryer work overtime when I’m spring cleaning. I always make sure to wash my curtains, bedding, and pillows.

I wash them in the hottest water possible for the fabric to kill germs. I also like to hang them outside in the sun to kill more germs and make them smell like fresh sunshine.

Making laundry detergent is also easy and saves a lot of money. Here’s my easy, homemade laundry soap recipe. If you have tough laundry stains, then be sure to treat them with a laundry stain remover recipe. (This stain remover stick also works great for hand washing delicates.)

Don’t like grating the soap? Here’s how to make laundry detergent without grating.

Bathroom Spring Cleaning Tips

I think spring cleaning the bathroom is at the bottom of everyone’s favorite things to do list. If you clean your bathroom weekly, there isn’t much left to do for spring cleaning except declutter the cabinets and give it a thorough cleaning. (And if you have little boys running around your bathroom, then you’re likely cleaning a lot more frequently. Because, boy pee. Am I right?)

To make cleaning my bathtub quick and easy, I use my homemade shower cleaner weekly. It not only makes my bathtub sparkle, it also works great on grimy toilets and sinks! Overall, it’s just an easy way to keep my bathroom clean without a lot of effort. My Dawn and vinegar shower cleaner is also great for a no scrub deep clean on shower doors and soap scum, and requires as few as two ingredients. (This is by far one of my most popular bathroom cleaner recipes!)

Then, for daily maintenance, use an after shower spray to keep your shower clean for longer periods between cleaning. This easy bathroom cleaning hack also works on windows and mirrors, and is made with a simple, 2-ingredient essential oil blend that naturally freshens your bathroom as well.

Cleaning Hacks for Naturally Freshening the Air

I think opening the windows helps clear the air and makes the house smell so fresh! However, if the temperature isn’t warm enough in your neck of the woods, try one of these easy ideas for natural air cleaners instead.

I use my diffuser to kill germs in the air during the winter. Essential oils like tea tree oil, eucalyptus essential oil, lemon essential oil, and clove essential oil can kill germs in the air when diffused. You can find a ready made, Purify essential oil blend that’s perfect for this task here.

You can also try my rosemary fir room spray to freshen the air or my lavender eucalyptus DIY air freshener with essential oils to freshen both the air and fabrics. It’s great for smelly kids rooms as well as pet odors.

Looking for Eco-friendly Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Home?

For eco-friendly spring cleaning tips, check out this post for healthy homemaking ideas. This collection of spring cleaning tips will save you both time and money! And they’re perfect for anyone who wants to create a non-toxic home using eco-friendly cleaning products.

Or give Grove Collaborative a try and score a free sustainable, spring cleaning starter bundle for your household chores when you spend $20 on any of their natural cleaning products, essential oils or cleaning tools. (Offer good for first time customers only.) Sign up here.

If the sustainable starter kit isn’t really something you need, they also have an offer for free laundry detergent as well as a free home bundle with Mrs. Meyer’s products. (Sadly, you can only pick one. I know, bummer. But it’s still a sweet deal regardless.)

For more spring cleaning tips and homemade cleaner recipes, be sure to visit my Natural Cleaning Products & Homemade Cleaner Recipes Pinterest board here. You can also find and follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my newsletter.

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Lifestyle Tagged With: bathroom cleaner, cleaners, cleaning, cleaning hacks, cleaning products, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, cleaning tips, eco-friendly, green cleaning, healthy homemaking, healthy living, homemaking, housework, kitchen cleaner, non-toxic, shower cleaner, spring cleaning, window cleaner

How to Make Melt and Pour Soap Recipes for Beginners: A Modern Guide to Natural Soapmaking

November 20, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 9 Comments

Wondering, how do I make melt and pour soap recipes for beginners? I’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn how to make easy melt and pour soap recipes with this modern guide to natural soapmaking that incorporates natural melt and pour soap bases with with natural botanicals, colorants and essential oils.

How to Make Melt and Pour Soap Recipes for Beginners

Traversing the soap-iverse for the right information.

There is SO much information on the internet, and Pinterest especially, on how to make melt and pour soaps for beginners. Some of those so called easy melt and pour soap recipes are spot on. The recipe works exactly the way it should and you’re presented with all the right information from the start. Unfortunately, there’s also a lot of bad soap recipes mixed in. And if if you’re a beginner soapmaker, incorrect recipes or flat out bad information can be costly as well as discouraging.

The first few times I made homemade melt and pour soaps, well, I messed up. One, I had no idea that using lavender buds in a melt and pour soap base would eventually turn the entire bar of soap brown! Not only did it not look pretty, but what was actually happening was that those botanicals were rotting. Can you imagine gifting a bar of homemade soap to a friend and then realize later on they’re slathering decaying plant matter on their skin? How embarrassing!

I learned from that mistake pretty quickly, thank goodness. However, it still bothers me, that close to twenty years after that incident, there are still bloggers sharing recipes with botanicals that just don’t work with melt and pour soap recipes.

Not long after my first major mistake making melt and pour soaps, I had another. (I mean, that’s how many of us learned prior to the youtube era. So PLEASE don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Occasionally it leads to a happy accident.) I bought a (way back) organic soap base that I decided to add cocoa butter too. The soaps looked great. I wrapped them in scrapbooking paper and gave them as gifts to family one Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn’t test my homemade soap bars before I gifted them. (I know. I know. But to err is human.)

Shortly after gifting my bars of homemade soap, I was told they didn’t lather. At all. (Scented paperweight, anyone?) Back then there weren’t really guides on how much of an additional ingredient you should add to your melt and pour soap bases. Luckily, that information is out there now. Along with insight on where and how to select the right melt and pour soap base for your needs. But where can you find all the information your need to make melt and pour soap recipes for beginners? And how do you know that it’s the right information?

Where do I learn how to make melt and pour soap recipes for beginners?

Are you a beginner soapmaker? Or do you simply want to learn how to start making homemade soaps using melt and pour soap bases? Then this is the perfect place to start your soapmaking journey! The new book, Easy Homemade Melt & Pour Soaps, by Jan Berry (which you can purchase here) is a modern guide to navigating the world of soap crafting and learning how to create custom natural soaps using botanicals, essential oils, natural colorants and soap bases. The latest addition to Jan’s collection of books, which also includes Simple Natural Soapmaking, this guide is the perfect way to learn how to make melt and pour soap recipes for beginners!

I received an advance copy of Jan Berry’s new book today to review. For those of you who don’t know, Jan and I are *almost* neighbors. She lives about an hour and a half north of me right here in Virginia! I’ve long been a fan of her blog, The Nerdy Farm Wife, and I have to tell you – her books are just as amazing. The photos inside her new book, Easy Homemade Melt & Pour Soaps, are absolutely dreamy! I especially love all the information on natural colorants for melt and pour soaps. Along with the RIGHT way to use those botanicals you now have a slew of and just realized they’re not going to look as pretty as you thought they would a few weeks down the road.

There’s really so much more to this soapmaking book than just the easy melt and pour soap recipes! By the time you’ve worked your way through the book, you’ll have some pretty solid knowledge on how to formulate your own custom soap recipes. And you definitely won’t feel like a beginner soapmaker anymore!

What’s Inside Easy Homemade Melt and Pour Soaps?

This book is divided into three parts. Each part combines for in depth information on making herbal soaps with natural botanicals, colorants and essential oils for successful products. There are also tips and tricks so you know the best way to make natural soaps without making the same mistakes I did.

Part 1: Getting Started

Everything you need to know about the different types of melt and pour soap bases, melting points and the ingredients. There’s also information on how to infuse soaps with herbs and flowers as well as the basic soapmaking tools and equipment you’ll need to get started. In addition, this section also includes a brief overview of tips for successful melt and pour soapmaking for your easy melt and pour soap recipes along with a basic melt and pour soapmaking tutorial to get you started.

Part 2: Melt and Pour Soap Recipes for Beginners

Part two of the book, Easy Homemade Melt & Pour Soaps, is filled with fifty amazing melt and pour and pour soap recipes for beginners. These easy melt and pour soap recipes are divided into six separate sections:

Nourishing Infusions
Spa Day Luxuries
Springtime Delights
Sunlight & Seashore
Field & Forest
Desert Inspiration

Recipes in the Nourishing Infusions section feature easy melt and pour soap recipes made with classic, skin soothing flowers and nourishing green herbs. The recipes include chamomile honeycomb slices (soap bars) infused with chamomile flowers and naturally scented with lavender and orange essential oils as well as facial soaps infused with thyme and rose.

In the Spa Day Luxuries section, you’ll discover melt and pour soap recipes for beginners that are designed to polish, cleanse and pamper skin. Highlights include charcoal & sea salt spa bars, adzuki bean & rhassoul clay bars, moringa detox bars and mocha mint massage bars. While the chapter on Springtime Delights includes easy melt and pour soap recipes for a spring weeds gardener’s soap, aromatherapy soap dough, floral bouquet (flower shaped) soaps and herbal soap favors perfect for weddings.

The Sunlight & Seashore section of the book highlights summer fun in the sun – and everything associated with that. Like the beach! Learn how to craft seashell mini soaps, sea glass guest soaps, ocean waves soaps, loofah soaps and mermaid tails soaps.

For those that love to forage, you’ll find the Field & Forest section perfect for your needs! There are melt and pour soap recipes for making pine resin infused soaps, a rustic woods shave soap, camping soaps and even a wildflower honey soap made from a goat milk soap base and scented with a natural blend of lavender and Peru balsam essential oils.

If aloe is your go to for soothing skin care, then the chapter titled, Desert Inspiration, may be your favorite. This natural skin care ingredient is key in these easy melt and pour soap recipes for beginners. Learn how to make triple aloe soap bars, cactus landscape soaps and even jojoba sage shampoo & body bars.

Part 3: Melt and Pour Soapmaking Information & Techniques Library

This section of the book, Easy Homemade Melt & Pour Soaps, is a must for anyone looking not just to recreate melt and pour soap recipes, but to also harness the knowledge needed to develop your own custom formulations. This chapter alone is a must for any soapmaking library. You’ll find yourself referencing it time and again for information on natural ingredients you can use in your own homemade melt and pour soap recipes.

Discover details on natural colorants along with photos of the finished soaps and the amounts needed to achieve the same look. There’s also in depth information on the properties of essential oils used in soapmaking along with essential oil blend ideas and recipes. Plus information on exfoliants and other additives you can use when crafting your own easy melt and pour soap recipes. You’ll also learn the eco-friendly ways to package and store the melt and pour soaps you create.

If you want to get extra creative with your melt and pour soap recipes for beginners, this section also highlight various melt and pour soap making techniques. Discover how to incorporate soap curls, cookies cutter shapes and embeds into your melt and pour soaps as well as how to use soap stamps and create layers. Can’t quite figure out that pencil line? There’s detailed information on creating a pencil line in melt and pour soaps as well as step-by-step photos on creating visually pleasing diagonals and triangles as part of your soap designs.

And, for those times, that things don’t quite work out the way you expected, information on troubleshooting things like separating layers, a lack of lather, soap shrinkage and more is also included.

In addition, there’s also a list of fourteen soapmaking suppliers you can source ingredients from in both the USA and Canada. (She even included one of my personal favorite suppliers, Mountain Rose Herbs.)

You can purchase Jan Berry’s new book, Easy Homemade Melt & Pour Soaps, on Amazon here.

To discover more from Soap Deli News blog, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my newsletter. Alternately, you can explore my own easy melt and pour soap recipes for beginners here.

Filed Under: Books & Reading, Soapmaking Tagged With: book review, easy, eco-friendly, melt and pour soap, melt and pour soapmaking, soap tutorial, soapmaking, soapmaking books

Ways to Reduce Plastic Use (And Easy Swaps for Plastic Products in Your Home)

April 6, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Help reduce ocean pollution for Earth Day. Discover easy ways to reduce plastic use in your home. Simply swap out your favorite plastic products with these eco-friendly options for an easy transition into green living.

If you’re looking for easy ways to reduce plastic use and go green, then check out these eco-friendly product swaps. Not only are these product substitutions environmentally friendly solutions, they also save you money over time. Keep reading to learn why reducing plastic waste is so important to our environment. And discover my favorite plastic-free products.

Why Eliminating Plastic Is Important

I’ll admit I’ve always loved straws.They keep the acids from acidic drinks (like orange juice) from coming in contact with my teeth. They also help to reduce staining from drinks like tea and iced coffees. And, as someone with sensitive teeth, I don’t have to worry about ice causing any pain or discomfort. Straws were no big deal. A normal part of life, they have always been a staple when dining out or enjoying a cocktail. Then one day, my friend Bambi who works with wildlife for her job, informed me I was ~~Satan~~ harming marine life through my continued use of straws.

I googled it. Seeing a sea turtle with a 4″ straw stuck in its nose was pretty heartbreaking. And I felt bad. Just not quite bad enough to actually do anything about it. I mean, straws are everywhere! I certainly don’t buy them. However they’re practically thrown at you in restaurants. So I didn’t see the harm in using a straw that had already been torn open on the bottom. And those tiny straws are always thrown in with my gin and tonics when they’re made. Bartenders are busy people. So requesting they omit the straw has a 50/50 chance of actually happening.

And then came the new story about the whale who slowly starved to death, suffering from dehydration and hunger because he’d consumed so much plastic waste. Plastic that doesn’t biodegrade. Plastic that ends up in our landfills and in our oceans. When I actually took the time to research how plastic was harming our marine life and polluting our oceans (despite recycling efforts) I was horrified. And that was the push I needed.

My mom and I had lunch the other day at a Greek restaurant. I politely returned the unopened straw. My mother, on the other hand, did not. She gave me the “I know, I know but I need my straw. I’m waiting for them to come out with paper ones.” At least she acknowledged the harm plastic has on marine life. But like most of us, change can be slow and difficult if we’re stuck in our ways.

If you’re looking for ways to reduce your plastic use, you can make the transition easier by substituting some of your favorite plastic products with easy reusable eco-friendly product swaps. Not only are they not going into a landfill (or our oceans) they actually save you money in the long run as you aren’t buying disposable products over and over again.

More Reasons to Reduce Plastic Waste

90% of all plastics are NOT recycled.

5.25 trillion pieces of marine trash have ended up in our oceans.

90% of all seabirds have eaten plastic. This up from just 5% of seabirds in 1960.

Between 2000 and 2010 we made more plastic than all the plastic in history up to the year 2000.

Plastic doesn’t biodegrade. The EPA reports that “every bit of plastic ever made still exists.”

Marine animals both ingest and get tangled up in plastic. This can lead not just to injuries but also painful deaths.

By 2050 the ocean will contain more plastic by weight than fish.

Americans use 500 million plastic straws EVERYDAY. That’s enough to circle the Earth twice.

Ways to Reduce Plastic Use in Your Home

An easy way to reduce plastic use in your home is to swap out plastic products with eco-friendly alternatives. If you’re ready to challenge yourself and reduce plastic use in your household, then try one or all of these easy product swaps.

Plastic sandwich bags.

Ditch the plastic sandwich bags with reusable storage bags. Reusable food storage bags are just as convenient as their single-use counterparts. I love the Grove Collaborative Reusable Sandwich Bags. They’re heavyweight so they can handle just about anything you need a plastic zipper bag for and they come in a variety of sizes. Sustainably made from a food-safe, BPA and phthalate-free material, these reusable bags are leak-proof and super easy to clean.

You can also use products like beeswax food wraps. These beeswax wraps from Suzy’s Bees Wraps are a sustainable solution to your food storage and preservation needs. Made with a natural fiber base, Suzy’s Bees Wraps are infused with pure beeswax and easily mold to whatever container, dish, item or food item you need to cover.

Disposable coffee cups.

16 billion disposable coffee cups that get thrown away every year. If you can’t live without your Starbucks coffee in the mornings, simply ask your barista to pour your favorite coffee into your own reusable insulated coffee cup. I live right beside a Starbucks and I see people asking for their refills in their own insulated tumblers almost everyday via the drive thru. I recommended purchasing two insulated mugs – one for the car and one to swap out while the other is being washed.

Single use straws.

If you’re like my mom and can’t live without straws, then this is probably the easiest product swap ever. You can buy compostable paper straws to keep in your car for when you go out to dinner at a restaurant. Or, if paper tastes gross to you like it does for me, bamboo straws or stainless steel straws are an easy fix. I love the stainless steel straws because I can buy them with soft silicone tips. I prefer the reusable straws over paper as they’re a one time purchase just like the drinking glasses in your home.

Plastic grocery bags.

While most grocery stores still offer plastic grocery bags, this looks like it could be changing. I just read in the news yesterday that Kroger stores are slowly doing away with plastic grocery bags all together. In the future, customers will be expected to either bring their own bags or pay for bags when they make a purchase. So why not go ahead and buy reusable grocery shopping bags now? Many sellers now offer durable, eco-friendly reusable grocery bags that it’s easy to find bags that fit the way you shop. (Not to mention the larger size!)

I love this durable waxed market bag from Thread & Canvas Co. in Seattle. It’s perfect for grocery store trips as swell as those seasonal trips to the farmers market. I plan to buy extra reusable shopping bags soon to add the ones I already have. This way I can keep a few in my car just in case I forget mine at home or make an unplanned trip to the store.

Plastic bottles of household cleaners.

Not only do most household cleaners come in ugly plastic bottles, they take up a lot of space under the sink. So I made the switch to glass spray bottles filled with cleaning concentrates. This will not only reduce your plastic consumption, but the bottles also look beautiful on your countertops. As you finish out the half-empty bottles under your sink, try swapping them out for a reusable glass bottle. Grove sells a full line of eco-friendly cleaning concentrates and glass bottles that are the perfect substitute.

For a limited time you can get three Grove cleaning concentrates, a glass spray bottle, a cleaning caddy and walnut scrubber sponges FREE with your first Grove order of $20 or more. Redeem this offer now.

Product packaging.

It might not seem like much, but the plastic wrappers that our products come in can add up to a huge amount of waste. For example, paper towels almost always come wrapped in plastic. One way to avoid this waste is by reaching for microfibers or euro dish cloths instead of single-use paper towels. I purchased a dozen microfibers so I can get through a full week without needing to do laundry.

I also have a serious crush on Grove’s European dish cloths. A reusable replacement for people who love paper towels, these durable cellulose and cotton dish cloths are as absorbent as a sponge. To clean, simply throw them into your dishwasher on the top rack when you wash dishes.

Purchasing reusable paperless towels is also another great way to break your paper towel habit. You can even get unpaper paperless towels on a roll, like these from the Prairie Cloth Company.

You can also reduce plastic product packaging in your daily hair care routine. Making the switch to a solid shampoo bars (aka syndet bars) and conditioners. These solid shampoo bars work amazingly well (unlike past no poo hair care options made with soap.) They’re gentle on hair but also powerful enough to remove product build up while moisturizing and conditioning hair.

More Ways to Reduce Plastic Use & Go Green.

Explore this collection of handcrafted eco-friendly cleaning products. (Many of which also offer ways to reduce plastic use.)

Shaving soap bars are also an eco-friendly beauty alternative that reduce waste. Learn how to make your own homemade shaving soaps to save money and help the environment.

Learn how to make the best 3-ingredient natural cleaning clay for a long lasting household cleaner that works on glass stovetops, granite countertops and tile.

Check out my collection of eco-friendly spring cleaning tips to make your household chores even easier.

Try my zero packaging homemade stain remover soap bar recipe to treat laundry stains and wash delicates.

Make your own natural cleaning products to completely eliminate those plastic bottles with this collection of eight eco-friendly cleaner recipes.

Go green and save money with these frugal laundry tips.

If you’ve already made the decision to go green and move toward a zero waste lifestyle, I’d love to hear about your favorite product swaps and ways to reduce plastic use. So be sure to share your ideas and eco-friendly solutions in the comments.

For more great ideas for your eco-friendly lifestyle, be sure to check out my Eco-Friendly Lifestyle board on Pinterest. You can also find me across your favorite social media platforms including Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram so you never miss a post. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter.

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Lifestyle Tagged With: cleaning products, eco-friendly, green cleaning, green living, healthy homemaking, homemaking, household, lifestyle, zero waste

Natural Cleaning Clay Recipe for Your Glass Stove Top, Countertops & Tile Floors

March 27, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Learn how to make a natural cleaning clay recipe to clean just about everything! Perfect for cleaning glass stove tops, granite countertops and even tile floors, this easy cleaning clay recipe requires just 3-ingredients. Make yours in just 5-minutes! Plus discover more simple, all natural cleaning products you can make using essential oils.

Natural Cleaning Products That Work

I first discovered the miracle of cleaning clay after attending an H2O at Home party at a friend’s home. I was particularly impressed with both the effective of their cleaning clay and the simplicity of this all purpose cleaning product. Not only does it work great as a non-toxic, natural household cleaning product on most surfaces, it literally lasts forever!

Since trying out their products, I’d been dying to make my own natural cleaning clay. Unfortunately this homemaking project kept getting pushed onto the back burner. That is until I received the new Simply Earth essential oil recipe box for April. Well timed for spring cleaning, this essential oil recipe box contained a variety of recipes for natural cleaning products. It also had a bottle of that one ingredient I’d needed to finally make my natural cleaning clay recipe – lemon essential oil.

All of Simply Earth’s essential oil boxes come with a collection of four essential oils. They also include additional ingredients and containers to make everything from natural beauty and skin care products to non-toxic cleaning products and aromatherapy diffuser blends. Each box also includes a collection of essential oil recipe cards. As their recipe cards are the same size as index cards, they fit easily into a standard 3″ x 5″ recipe box for quick reference and storage.

I love receiving my Simply Earth essential oil recipe box every month. It’s such a great way for me to explore new essential oils (some of which I’d never heard of like the amyris essential oil) as well as affordably grow my essential oil collection. Plus it feels good knowing that Simply Earth donates 13% of their profits to help end human trafficking. How can you not get behind a cause like that?

Related: Amyris Essential Oil Uses, Benefits and Recipes

Inside the new Simply Earth essential oil recipe box.

The April recipe box from Simple Earth is all about making your own natural cleaning products. The most recent box contained nutmeg essential oil, tea tree essential oil and lemon essential oil. It included an essential oil blend – BO Be Gone – as well. (It’s kind of perfect for making hand soap and natural laundry detergent.) In addition to the essential oils, my box also contained liquid Castile soap and an aluminum spray bottle for making their tea tree & lemon multi-surface cleaning spray.

The April essential oil recipe box contains recipes for the following natural cleaning products.

Tea Tree and Lemon Surface Cleaner Recipe
Lemon and Nutmeg Dishwasher Detergent Recipe
Laundry Stain Remover Roll On Recipe
Natural Home Diffuser Recipe
Easy Foaming Hand Soap Recipe
Natural Laundry Detergent Recipe

(If this is your first time learning about Simply Earth’s amazing essential recipe boxes, I’ve provided a clear overview of their ingredients, supplies and benefits here. There’s also coupon code for a free jam packed bonus box on your first order and a discount code for your second box.)

Related: Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips

Essential Oil Natural Cleaning Products

Following are some of my favorite homemade natural cleaning products included in the latest essential oil recipe box from Simply Earth. I’ve also included my own natural cleaning clay recipe so you can discover why I think it’s the bee’s knees. (And yes, I’m told, bees do have knees. Technically.)

Tea Tree & Lemon Surface Cleaner

Ingredients:

1/3 cup hot distilled water
1 tsp. borax powder
2 tsp. white distilled vinegar
2 tsp. rubbing alcohol
10 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Measure out the hot water into a glass measuring cup. Add the borax powder then stir to dissolve.

Follow with the remaining ingredients for the surface cleaner as called for in the recipe. Stir well to combine.

Now pour the mixture into an aluminum spray bottle. If desired, label your creation with one of the product stickers provided by Simply Earth.

Usage:

Shake this product prior to each use. To use, simply spray onto countertops and other non porous surfaces, then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Your natural tea tree & lemon essential oil surface cleaner not only cleans surfaces and kills germs, it will also leave your home smelling naturally fresh.

Laundry Stain Remover Roll On Recipe

Ingredients:

10 mL liquid Castile soap
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

Combine the essential oils in a 10 mL roll on bottle. Swirl the bottle to mix the oils.

Now fill the remainder of the bottle with liquid Castile soap.

Usage:

Shake well prior to each use. Then simply roll this natural laundry stain remover onto laundry stains. Allow to sit 5 to 10 minutes prior to washing.

Natural Cleaning Clay Recipe

Ingredients:

4 oz. liquid Castile coconut oil soap
12 oz. white kaolin clay
40 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

Using a digital scale to weigh out the Castile soap into a large glass bowl. Add the lemon essential oil and stir well to combine.

Then, in a separate container, weigh out the kaolin clay. Slowly add the clay to the the liquid soap base, mixing with a fork until all the clay is incorporated into the soap. If necessary, use your hands to blend the last bit of clay into the natural cleaning clay. There should be no dry clay left. However the mixture should be very firm.

Now fill an 8 oz. low profile jar with the cleaning clay. Press the natural cleaning clay firmly into the jar until it’s filled. You can then use the back of a measuring cup or as spatula to press the clay flat on top.

Usage:

Massage a slightly damp bubble up brush or sponge onto the cleaning clay. Then cover your surface with the cleaning clay, adding slightly more water to the sponge if necessary to form a thick foam. Then remove the cleaning clay using a damp microfiber cloth.

For dirty glass stove tops, cover the entire stovetop with cleaning clay. Allow the mixture to dry on the surface, then wipe clean with a dry microfiber cloth. Follow with a damp cloth to remove any residue if needed. Then polish clean with a dry cloth.

My natural cleaning clay recipe works great for deep cleaning a number of other surfaces including granite countertops, sinks, tubs and tile. However, as will all natural cleaning products, I recommend testing the cleaning clay first in an inconspicuous area on natural surfaces.

More Natural Cleaning Products Recipes

Now that you’ve tackled these recipes for natural cleaning products, try some of these other recipes for natural cleaning products for your home.

Also be sure to check out my eco-friendly laundry tips to save time and money as this household chore. You’ll also love my collection of spring cleaning tips for a green friendly lifestyle and a non-toxic clean throughout your entire home.

Explore more recipes with essential oils.

It’s so easy to get started with essential oils as well as make your own simple essential oil recipes for home, health and beauty. Visit Simply Earth now to order your first essential oil recipe box and get a free bonus supply box with coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE You’ll also receive a $40 discount on your next order of anything you like.

To discover more ways to use essential oils in your home, visit my Essential Oils & Herbs for Health, Lifestyle and Beauty Pinterest board. You can also find and follow me across your favorite social media platforms including Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram so you never miss a post. Or simply sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter.

Filed Under: Handmade Home, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle Tagged With: bathroom cleaner, cleaners, cleaning, cleaning hacks, cleaning products, cleaning recipe, cleaning solutions, cleaning tips, diy, easy, eco-friendly, essential oil recipes, essential oils, green cleaning, green living, handmade home, healthy homemaking, healthy living, homemaking, housework, kitchen cleaner, simply earth, spring cleaning