Some of my best ideas come from other moms. On a playdate, I was amazed that my good friend and creative momma of 2 made her own hand soap. It was so cool and surprisingly simple.
In hunting for great projects to teach kids about conservation this Earth Day, this was by far one of my favorite (and definitely the most fragrant). Not only are you using natural ingredients instead of chemical but you are also reusing the same soap dispenser- eliminating a LOT of waste (especially for those of us with young children who love to pump, pump, pump as they wash). Be sure to use a foaming dispenser for the best results.
Also, check out all the amazing combinations of essential oils you can use from Melanie St. Ours, a clinical herbalist and the author of The Simple Guide to Natural Health
3 Ingredient Hand Soap with Essential Oils
Ingredients:
3/4 cup Boiled water, allow to cool down completely before using (alternately use distilled water)
Soap dispenser with foaming pump
1/4 cup Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap (you can use another brand of Castile soap-this is the brand we are familiar with)
20 drops of essential oils (see below for some great combos)
Make It:
Add your cooled water to your soap dispenser. Next, add in your Castile soap and finish with your essential oils. Close your dispenser and shake well to mix. Voila! That’s it.
Essential Oil Combinations by Melanie St. Ours of Psyche & Soma:
Lavender & Peppermint
This classic combination is a powerful stress-reliever because it boasts calming properties from the lavender and the uplifting aromatic charm of peppermint. This is a great way to use aromatherapy to turn your mid-day bathroom break into a precious moment of self nurturing, and it’s especially great for people who suffer from tension headaches.
Tea Tree & Lemongrass
The most important thing you can do to keep your family healthy during cold and flu season is to be hardcore about hand washing, and these essential oils will give your homemade soap an antimicrobial boost without any of the harms that come from the overuse of antibiotics in hand soaps. Tea Tree and Lemongrass both boast antimicrobial properties, and the fragrance is fresh and invigorating.
Palmarosa & Nutmeg
This one’s for the romantic-at-heart. It’s a great way to enjoy a sophisticated, haunting, and mildly aphrodisiac fragrance amidst the bustle of the day. Nutmeg’s depth and complexity balances the heady floral notes of the Palmarosa, and gives the blend the relaxing, hypnotic vibe that’s so conducive to relaxation and romance. Palmarosa is uplifting and heart-opening, and is a great choice here because it offers the luxury of roses without the hefty price tag of true rose absolutes (which are too precious for hand soap, in my opinion!)
Sweet Orange (and other “simples”)
When you first introduce your family to essential oils, it’s great to start with a crowd-pleaser like Sweet Orange. In herbal medicine, formulas featuring just one plant are called “simples,” and simple hand soap formulas that use one oil at a time are ideal for helping yourself and your family learn about how fragrance affects them. Try a new essential oil with each batch, and have your family describe their reactions to each new formula. Learning about plants this way is really fun, and it’s a great way to engage both the mind and the senses.
Ode to a Fellow Mom/Friend:
For a fun mom series, check out my friend Vanessa’s video series on motherhood The Tribe of Mom Show. She is the one who introduced me to this fun recipe and she has many great thoughts on the parenting journey!