3 homemade soaps for great skin

These hand soaps are easy to cook up andmake use ofold slivers of bar soap. Transfer the liquid soap to an empty pump container and you can supply your bathroom for just a portion of the price you'd pay at the store.

• 500 g (2 c) soap flakes or grated bar soap
• 2 L (2 qt) water
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) glycerin

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine all the ingredients. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the soap flakes have dissolved.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a clean two litre (two quart) container and cover tightly. For a thinner gel soap, increase the water to four litres (one gallon).

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) dried red rose petals
• 235 g (8 oz) pure soap flakes
• 150 ml (2/3 c) boiling water
• 125 ml (1/2 c) rose water
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) ground almonds
• 9 drops geranium essential oil

  1.Pound the rose petals with a mortar and pestle. In a large bowl, combine the ground petals, soap and water and stir until smooth. If the soap starts to solidify, place the bowl over near-boiling water.

  2.Stir in the rose water and ground almonds. Allow to cool. Stir in the essential oil.

  3.Shape mixture into six balls and flatten them slightly. Allow the soap to harden between sheets of wax paper. Keep unused soap in a cool, dark place until needed.

• 1 kg (2 lb) leftover soap
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) spring water
• 5 ml (1 tsp) glycerin
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) cinnamon essential oil
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) sweet orange essential oil
• 10 drops clove bud essential oil (optional)

1.Coarsely grate the scraps of soap into a large mixing bowl. Add the spring water, glycerin and essential oils. Mix well.

2.Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and allow it to stand for about 15 minutes, until the soap is slightly soft and pliable. (If your soap scraps are fairly new, they may be soft and not need much softening time.)

3.Scoop the mixture up by the handful and press or roll it into small balls. Compress it tightly. Place on wax paper. Allow the soap balls to dry and harden for a day or two.