78. Bath Mits

For a generous source of lather and to put an end to searching for the soap on the bottom of the tub, slip a soap bar into a pocket made from a luxurious terry washcloth.

MATERIALS

wash cloth
cotton cord
needle & thread
scissors

INSTRUCTIONS

1. fold the washcloth in half, and cut it to the desired length.
   
2. Tape a 2 1/2-inch loop of cotton cord inside the folded cloth.
   
3. Stitch along the bottom and side edges, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance (make sure to catch the ends of the loop).
   
4. Turn the pocket right side out.
   
5. After each use, hang the washcloth mitt by its loop to dry.

Resource: Martha Stewart

63. Lotion Bar

Easy Lotion Bar

MATERIALS:

2 oz beeswax
1 oz almond oil
1 oz cocoa butter
Fragrance (by the drop, until it is the scent you want)
soap mold


INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Melt the beeswax and cocoa butter in a glass container in the microwave, or a clean pot on the stove.
   
2. When it is completely melted remove from heat and add the almond oil.
   
3. Then add your fragrance and/or coloring.
   
4. Pour into your mold (this can be deodorant tubes, soap molds, ice cube trays, muffin tins, etc) and let set up completely.

Extra Rich Lotion Bar

MATERIALS:

3 oz beeswax
2 oz mango butter
1 oz almond oil
1 oz jojoba oil
1 oz hemp oil
Fragrance
mold


INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Melt beeswax on low heat.
   
2. When melted add the mango butter.
   
3. Remove from heat when mango is almost melted.
   
4. Add the other oils, and mix together. Add your fragrance, and/or coloring.
   
5. Pour into your mold and let set completely.

Resource: make-stuff.com

16. Handmade Soap

MATERIAL

Bars of natural fragrance or color free soap (Glycerin)
Essential oils of your choice

(Lavender, rose and jasmine work well)

Food coloring
Oats (optional exfoliator)
Vitamin E Oil (Optional)
Almond Oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Grate soap in a blender or food processor.
   
2. Boil a pot of water and put a glass bowl over the pot, (like a double boiler.)
   
3. Add some almond oil into the bowl.
   
4. Add the soap into the bowl.
   
5. Take the water from the pot and add it into the bowl until soap changes into paste.
   
6. Add oils, color, oats, and vitamin E as desired.
   
7. Let cool in molds of your choice. You can use anything for a mold - ice cube trays, cookie cutters or soap molds (found at the craft store.
   
8. Air out on wax paper for a day or two.

from kidzworld

If you liked this...

The Soapmaker's Companion (Paperback) -- used and new from 7.98

15. Bath Bomb

MATERIALS
Dry Ingredients

1/2 cup citric acid
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup corn starch
1/3 cup Epsom Salt

Wet Ingredients

2-3 TBSP Vegetable oil
3/4 TBSP water
1/4 teaspoon essential oil
Coloring of your choice

Bath Bomb Mold (found at crafting stores) - you can also use soap molds or chocolate/candy molds

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Blend the citric acid and baking soda – this step is super important – if you don’t blend well, you end up with a grainy bomb. You may want to sift the ingredients together to ensure a smoother texture.
   
2. Once you’ve blended really well, add your colorant. Dry pigments work best – don’t add too much though
   
3. In a separate container, mix wet ingredients
   
4. Slowly drizzle the wet ingredients into the dry, stirring constantly to prevent a reaction from starting. Make sure you mix in all of the wet ingredients. The mixture will be somewhat crumbly.
   
5. Pack the mixture into your mold – wait a few minutes and tap them out. Let them air dry for 3 or 4 hours. The harder you pack the bath bombs, the more dense, heavy, and durable bomb you will get.

Sources: teach soap, Brenda Sharpe, and Not Martha

14. Sugar Scrub

MATERIALS

1 clear plastic jar
1 cup sugar (this can be white, brown, or raw)

you can also use ground coffee (see note below)

1/2 cup oil (extra virgin olive oil, jojoba, safflower, grape seed, or apricot kernel)
scented essential oils (optional)
baking soda (optional: helps clarify the skin)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. mix the sugar and oil in the plastic container.
   
   since you are using this in the bath or shower, I would avoid using glass
   
   
2. add any optional scents you like:
   
   • Vanilla: Great especially in the coffee or brown sugar scrub.
     
   • Orange, lime, tangerine or lemon: For an uplifting effect.
     
   • Rosemary, eucalyptus or peppermint: For clearing out the sinuses and stimulating the body
     
   • Cinnamon or clove: For improving circulation and adding a spicy kick to your scrub.
     
   • Rose, jasmine or ylang-ylang: for a romantic floral scrub.
     
   • Geranium: For balancing your mood.
     
   • Lavender: For promoting relaxation.
   
   
3. to use: place some on a wash cloth and rub in circles anywhere you need exfoliation.
   note: the sugar may settle to the bottom, so it may be necessary to shake before using.

Note: Coffee can be used as a topical scrub as well.
From Cancerlynx.com:

Coffee is granular and feels nice on the skin but the caffeine has added benefits. Applied topically coffee helps to redistribute fat cells and decrease the formation of cellulite. It also acts as a vasorestrictor, tightening and shrinking blood vessels thereby helping eliminate varicose veins. It has been used for years in spas in Hawaii and on the coast of Bali.