Make Your Own Liquid Castille Soap

I've gotten to the point where I'm using quite a lot of liquid castille soap and that cost can really add up. Dr. Bonner's bars are cheaper than the liquid soap so I decided to try my hand at that.

I got out my new grater, a bar of Dr. Bonner's, and a bowl. I have no idea why I keep getting out these small bowls, the shavings always end up falling all over the place. Usually I begin over a bowl then remember I need to do it over my "making stuff" bucket.

Anyhow, grate your soap as fine as you dare. The finer the grating the less you need to worry about making sure everything will dissolve into water.

I transferred my shavings to my bucket then added 10 cups of hot water. Then I used my immersion blender to mix everything really well.

Then wait 24 hours.

It will have gelled up similar to how home-made laundry detergent will.

Then use an immersion blender to break it up really well and you're pretty much good to go.

This way your soap comes out a bit thick. So if you want it much closer to the consistency that it comes out of the bottle just add more water until you're happy with the consistency you now have.

I have to be honest, after using this method I still kinda prefer the liquid I buy. I'll just have to keep trying until I get the results I want.

Pintesting - Chemical-Free Body Wash

I was out of the body wash my mother was so kind to buy for me and feeling indignant about buying more. I mean why do that when I could make my own and have a lot more control over what would and would not be in it?

Today's pintest comes via this pin and the info found here.

You will need:

1/2 Gallon distilled water - I'd actually already bought a gallon. Yes, I see how it seems a bit silly to buy distilled water but not body wash.

2 cups grated bar soap - I knew I wanted something organic. I ended up choosing a Nubian Heritage soap because their products are certified organic, contain fair trade ingredients; and are free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, petrolatum, DEA, PABA, synthetic fragrance, artificial color, and animal testing.

2 tbsp vegetable glycerine oil

I grated my soap and stored it in a Mason jar along with the label from the box so I wouldn't forget what was in the jar or what volume the soap had come in when I'd gotten it.

Melt 2 cups grated soap in 1/2 gallon distilled water

Along with 2TBSP of Vegetable Glycerin oil

I also chose to add a few drops of tamanau oil.

Mix well.

I poured the mixed soap, water, glycerine, and oil into half of a milk jug I had around and used the handle to neatly pour the  body wash into my container.

There was more there than it took to fill my original container so I also called upon a Mason jar to come to my aid.

The mix gelled in about an hour I'd say.

The body wash wash low-lather but definitely did its job. My skin was left soft and clean.

Chemical to Chemical-Free

My little girl has reached the point where I find her looking in all cabinets within reach so I really can't think of a better time to just jump in and replace all those dangerous chemicals.

First I collected 99% of our cleaners and toxic chemicals (I decided to go ahead and finish up the bottles of laundry detergent and children's laundry detergent. I may dispose of what's left of the cleaners or just finish using them. My end game plan is to reuse the containers.)

Then I went to the store and returned all of the unopened containers and exchanged them for greener options. It's not a perfect system putting those toxins right back out there but I don't really have too many pennies to spare.

Now to begin making at-home chemical-free cleaners.