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DIY Liquid Hand Soap – Great Christmas Savings/Gift Idea

December 14, 2011 by Nellie Lee Luhrmann 4 Comments

 

What is in your liquid hand soap, do you know?  There are 15 ingredients  in the average store bought hand soap, many containing delightful ingredients such as sodium Laureth Sulphate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine. As my son’s kinder’s “purchasing officer” I was recently asked to find liquid hand soap dispensers as well as a liquid hand soap to replace the old fashioned soap bar. Upon further investigation I was horrified at not only the price of liquid hand soap but the actual ingredients. Surely I could find a simple recipe that not only saves the ( self funded ) kinder some serious coin but could also double as a in house project that the kids could happily participate in. So off I set  to google suitable recipes looking at quite a few I found one that was

A- Inexpensive

B – Easy

and finally

C – Is free from as many “synthetic nasties” as possible that can cause chemical sensitivities

So here goes

 

YOU WILL NEED 

Cheese grater (from the dollar store)
2 Tablespoons of Liquid Glycerin (found in the band aid section at any drugstore or grocery store)
1 – 8 oz bar of soap ( I used Willows Organic Olive Oil Castile Soap Bar )  which is different from the soap in the picture above.
1 gallon of water

 

To see what to do next pop on over to The Farmers Nest for an easy to follow tutorial complete with pictures.

Why not make some for a christmas gift, try different bars of soap or add your own scents. You can the decorate it with this free printable label

Photo property of The Farmers Nest

 

 

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Comments

  1. Becky says

    December 14, 2011 at 9:22 am

    This sounds like a project for me too! Thanks!

  2. Shay says

    December 14, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    So instead of buying liquid soap that contains various chemicals (including cocamidopropyl betaine, which is a nothing more than a synthetic derived from coconut oil), you recommend making liquid soap by grating a bar of solid soap that contains various chemicals.

    You will save money and it will be fun project, but implying that this is somehow safer for children has no scientific validity.

  3. Nellie Lee Luhrmann says

    December 14, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    Thank you Shay I have corrected my post what I was meant was free from as many synthetic ingredients as possible that may cause “chemical sensitivities” in children

Trackbacks

  1. Free Printable Tag For DIY Soap Gifts · Bath and Body | CraftGossip.com says:
    December 14, 2011 at 12:33 am

    […] DIY Lotion Or Soap In A Handmade Mason Jar Christmas Light Bulb Hand Soap – Great Gift IdeaDIY Candy Cane Mani DIY Snowball Soap Surprise DIY Snowman Poop Soap With Free Printable Tag DownloadFestive Berry soap Slice – YummoKevin Murphy – Colour Bug – Great Tween Christmas IdeaChocolate Snowman S'more Soap Christmas Gift IdeaMaoli Perfumes Review – Perfect Last Minute Stocking FillerDIY Liquid Hand Soap – Great Christmas Savings/Gift Idea […]

Have you read?

DIY Burn Relief Soap – A Soothing Aloe Vera and Lavender Recipe for Sunburn, Windburn, and Irritated Skin

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been caught out without sunscreen—and paid the price with lobster-red shoulders, itchy rashes, or skin so tender you could cry brushing against cotton sheets. Been there, done that (more than once if I’m honest). Whether it’s summer sunburn, winter windburn, or a splash from a hot pan, our skin sometimes needs a little extra TLC—and that’s where this DIY Burn Relief Soap comes in.

This homemade soap bar is designed to calm, hydrate, and gently cleanse burned or irritated skin. Made with a melt-and-pour soap base, soothing aloe vera, and essential oils like lavender and chamomile, it’s gentle enough for daily use—even for kids or those with sensitive skin.

Think of it as first-aid meets spa day in a soap bar.

Why This Soap Works for Burn Relief

Each ingredient in this recipe has a soothing purpose—no fillers, no synthetics, just skin-loving goodness:

  • Aloe Vera Gel
    Famous for its burn-healing powers, aloe is cooling, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory. It speeds up healing and eases discomfort on contact. 
  • Chamomile-Infused Oil
    Chamomile contains bisabolol and apigenin—natural compounds known to reduce redness, calm inflammation, and support skin regeneration. 
  • Lavender Essential Oil
    Not just for relaxation, lavender is also antimicrobial and helps soothe painful skin. It may even reduce scarring over time. 
  • Goat’s Milk or Aloe Melt and Pour Base
    A gentle, nourishing base loaded with vitamins, perfect for dry or damaged skin. The creamy lather won’t strip away your natural oils. 
  • Tea Tree Oil (Optional)
    A drop or two adds antibacterial support, especially if your burn is the result of heat rash or has broken the skin. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 lb goat’s milk or aloe vera melt-and-pour soap base 
  • 2 tablespoons pure aloe vera gel (no alcohol or colorants) 
  • 1 tablespoon chamomile-infused oil
    (You can DIY this by steeping dried chamomile flowers in sweet almond or olive oil for 1–2 weeks) 
  • 10 drops lavender essential oil 
  • 5 drops tea tree essential oil (optional) 
  • Silicone soap mold 
  • Rubbing alcohol (for surface bubbles, optional) 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt the Soap Base

Cut the melt-and-pour soap base into small cubes for even melting. Use a double boiler or microwave in short 20–30 second bursts, stirring often until smooth.

2. Add Aloe Vera and Oils

Remove from heat and stir in the aloe vera gel and chamomile-infused oil. Mix gently until fully combined.

3. Add Essential Oils

Once the soap cools slightly but is still pourable, add the lavender (and optional tea tree) essential oil. Avoid adding them while the soap is too hot, or they’ll evaporate.

4. Pour Into Molds

Carefully pour the mixture into your soap molds. Spritz the surface with rubbing alcohol to remove bubbles.

5. Let It Set

Allow the soaps to cool and harden completely—usually 3–4 hours at room temp, or pop into the fridge to speed things up.

6. Unmold and Store

Once firm, gently pop out your bars. Store in an airtight container or wrap in wax paper to keep them fresh and prevent “soap sweating.”

How to Use Your Burn Relief Soap

  • Use in the shower or bath after sun exposure or any time your skin feels tight, hot, or inflamed. 
  • Gently lather with lukewarm water—avoid hot water, which can aggravate burns. 
  • Pat skin dry with a soft towel and follow with a natural after-sun lotion or body oil for extra moisture. 

Make It Your Own – Variations & Tips

  • Add Oatmeal: For extra calming, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of finely ground oats (colloidal oatmeal works best). 
  • Extra Cooling: Add 2–3 drops of peppermint essential oil for a gentle cooling tingle—great for sunburn. 
  • Herbal Layer: Place dried calendula or chamomile petals in the bottom of your mold before pouring the soap for a botanical, handmade look. 
  • Mini Soaps: Pour into mini silicone molds to make burn relief travel soaps for beach bags, camping kits, or gifts. 

Safety Notes

  • This soap is ideal for minor burns, sunburns, and skin irritation. 
  • Don’t use on open blisters or severe burns—in that case, stick to medical treatment. 
  • Always do a patch test if you’re using a new essential oil or ingredient, especially for kids or sensitive skin. 

Perfect For…

  • After-sun showers 
  • Camping and travel first aid kits 
  • Gift baskets for gardeners, surfers, or outdoor lovers 
  • Care packages for new mums or anyone with sensitive skin 
  • Self-care stash for menopause-related heat sensitivity 

Making your own burn relief soap is such a simple but powerful way to care for your skin naturally—and it feels especially good knowing there are no sneaky synthetic additives or harsh ingredients lurking in your bar. Just healing herbs, soothing oils, and a whole lot of love.

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