Have you noticed that I've been sharing a lot of gift ideas lately? This one was actually my husband's idea-he asked me a while back if there was a way to make our own DIY hand soap so I started doing research to figure out how to do it. There were a lot of tutorials out there and a lot of different methods but here is how I make mine.
Supplies:
Bar Soap-choose one without additional moisturizers for best results
Glycerin
Boil one gallon of water in a large pot.
While waiting for the water to boil grate the bar of soap into a large bowl. (Am I the only one that is petrified I'm going to accidentally grate my fingers when using a cheese grater? I swear, I have a complex about it. I ended up using a knife to slice the bar of soap into thin slices once I got half way through the bar.)
Add the soap shavings and 2 tablespoons of glycerin to the boiling water and stir until all the soap melts.
Remove from heat once all soap is melted and allow to cool overnight.
The mixture will thicken to, sorry about this, the consistency of snot. I really cannot describe it any other way! If I was a Hollywood producer who needed snotty special effects, this DIY hand soap would be perfect. Bleck.
Moving on...
if the mixture is lumpy just give it a good stirring. If you use soap with too much moisturizer (don't use Dove, it won't turn out) then add more water and stir vigorously to thin. Spoon into containers. I used a cute little mason jar dispenser I made using this tutorial because, really, everything looks better in a mason jar don't you think? (If you don't want to make your own there are also tons of options on Amazon too!)
There you have it! I think these would make adorable teacher's gifts or hostess gifts, or just fun to make for yourself to save money and add a little cuteness to your life!
Terri J says
Hand (or home) made gifts have always had a special place in my heart, as I have always thought about the labor of love that the person who made something for me, put into it. Thank you for sharing some of yours w/ us, and you bet, I will be following this one for a few people in my life, such as my younger sister, who is a teacher!
[email protected] The Better Half says
that looks awesome and what a great gift idea!!! 🙂
Amanda @ Dreamsicle Sisters says
This is a fantastic gift idea! I love homemade gifts. Pinning!
Jessica says
Did you find anything about making shower gel? I read about using coffee grounds in your shower gel for exfoliating (and bonus the caffeine helps with cellulite because it tightens the skin) and wanted to make my own shower gel gifts,
Melissa Riker says
I haven't but I'll work on it!
Linda @ it all started with paint says
Melissa,
What a fabulous gift idea!!! Thank you so much for sharing at our mason jar holiday party!!!
🙂 Linda
@It All Started With Paint & Mason Jar Crafts Love
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Mary says
I used the lavender Yardley soap bar to make the liquid hand soap & let it sit overnight as instructed. It surely is the consistency of snot! Should it be lumpy? Stirring does help, but should I add water & warm it up some? Also, it's not very sudsy when washing hands & is very stringy. Can anything be done about this?
Thanks,
Mary
Kayla says
Just fyi your link for the mason jar tutorial doesn't work... though if you search the blog, the post is still available. Here it is in case anyone is interested: https://lovegrowswild.com/2013/05/how-to-make-mason-jar-soap-dispensers/
Amy says
Hi! I was just wondering what colour of paint you used on the soap pump and lid of the jar? Is it a metallic brown? Also, was it just spray paint?
Thanks!
SHANNON says
Great idea, but where do you buy the soap pump and lid??
Melissa says
I made it off the tutorial I linked to in the post but you can find them on amazon too: (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/1XtcsVm Hope that helps! ~Melissa
John B says
Wow, great works. Sometimes I don't know how to choose the right gifts for my friends. This could be great for me to make handmade gifts.
Anita says
Where can I buy the lids with pump?
Melissa says
HI Anita,
I made my lid with the pump by using this tutorial but there are options you can buy here: https://amzn.to/1NHYubB
[email protected] Friendly Homemaking says
This is such a cute gift idea and could be used for so many people. Would make a great teacher, co worker or relative gift.
Steven James says
Thanks Mellisa. i am looking for gift for my friends, and this is a good idea. i will make it tomorrow. Thank you again for sharing
Cindy Kinsella says
I plan to make the DIY hand soap. Could I add food coloring and or peppermint scent for the holidays? Or would it ruin the consistancy?
David Hasse says
Great Idea ! but I've read about DIY pillow ! maybe in this site ! that was awesome too !
The DIY Hubby says
Good article. Love your DIY articles. The dispenser looks fab!
Clay says
Nice use of a mason jar!
Michael Stover says
Hi Melissa ,
Take a bow for this awesome post. I have allergy problem on my skin. So I tried lot of hand soap but no luck.
i think information of this post will help me.
I really appreciate of your work.
Regards,
Michael Stover
Kathy Manning says
Where can you get the lids to put on the quart jars for the soap dispenser?
David Miller says
hey, Melissa thanks for the article about making your own DIY hand soap. I will definitely try myself. if I need any kind of help I will get back here. and I will also tell my Lil sister to try it thanks again 🙂
Garry Harris says
Nice Melissa, don't just as a gift I also can use this as for my personal use. Loved it.
Jones A says
This is a beautiful gift. this is a beautiful idea for a gift. Love your DIY articles.Thank you for sharing your article.
vacgeek | john says
wow! amazing gift idea! Thank you for sharing us.
Kassie says
The part about the cheese grater is gold. I'm rolling. I feel for you, it's a perfectly understandable fear. I too have a phobia of peelers and graters. I've barely knicked myself on both and I'm not having it either. ?? Avoid at all cost! Lol