Easy Lavender Goats Milk Soap

I am so excited because I finally tried something that I have had on my to-do list for a long time but have postponed, thinking it would be too hard…wrong! In fact, it was really easy and so much fun that I have it on my list to try again…making my own soap! I love soap, especially French milled soaps in all of those fabulous scents that remind me of Provence…but especially lavender! And I have to admit that I have a sort of obsession born of regret…



…that dates from my retirement trip to Provence several years ago. You see, I stood right here in the Sunday market in l’Ilse-sur-la-Sorgue, eyeing all of this wonderful soap, debating whether or not to stock up. It was only 13 euros for 10 bars…$1.50 each…but soap is heavy and I had limited space in my suitcase. Sooo…I walked away. I am still kicking myself because I could have mailed it! That soap is $7.50 a bar here if you can find it! Sheesh! And ever since then I have had a thing about French soap!

So I finally got up the nerve to try making my own and guess what? It’s super easy, waaay cheaper than the store-bought kind and smells heavenly, as Baby Kitty will tell you!


Here’s what you will need:

• Goats milk glycerin soap (I bought a 2 pound block for about $6.00 with a coupon at Michaels.)
• Lavender essential oil
• Lavender buds (Mine came from World Market on sale for $1.39 for a packet.)
• Coloring for the soap (if you wish)
• Heavy glass bowl for melting the soap
• Molds (I used clear plastic rectangular ones from Hobby Lobby and small heart-shaped tin tartlet pans that I had on hand.)
• Non-stick spray such as Pam

And here’s what you will do:

1. Slice off as much soap as you plan to use. (I used one pound for my first try. It made 3 rectangular bars and 3 heart-shaped soaps.)
2. Follow the directions on the soap to melt it in the microwave. Be sure not to overheat it!
3. When it is completely melted, just stir in as many of the lavender buds as you wish and add coloring if you like. I followed the directions on the package as to the amount when I added the lavender essential oil.
4. Pour it directly into the molds and let cool and harden. The tin tartlet pans first need a very light coating of non-stick spray.
5. Once they have hardened, simply pull the molds back around the edges to release the soap. It may take several tries, but it will work!

And here’s how the bars turned out! I love them…so pretty! I’ve already tried out my soap and I have to say that it lathers beautifully and has such a wonderful scent, too!

And here’s a closer look at the heart-shaped soaps. Wouldn’t they make a great little gift?

They would also be perfect little guest soaps, too! I have plans to make more of these little guys with some of the other shapes from my collection of tin tartlet pans.

And if you love lavender like I do, you will also like my homemade lemon and lavender simmering potpourri…the perfect way to freshen the air in your home while we are shut indoors for winter!

I also like to grow my own lavender so I made a little vintage French planter box for just that purpose…and you’ll never guess what it’s made from! Yes…an old Clementine box! You’ll find a complete tutorial here, including the free graphic.

Here’s one last look! I hope you’ll try to make some soap of your own if you haven’t already…and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how easy it is!
 

Remember to pin it!

Thanks for stopping by! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants. 

Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party , Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for the Show and Share Party , A Stroll thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays ,   French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday, Tatertots & Jello for the Link Party Palooza on Fridays

See you next time! À la prochaine!

Also find me at…

 

Enter your email to have Plate Addict's blog posts delivered


Delivered by FeedBurner