You’ve been hearing it since birth.
I’m surprised it wasn’t my first words.
“Wash your hands!”
I get it. The amount of germs floating around in today’s society can be SCARY. It seems they are lurking under every rock and on every door handle, even in your own home!
Why are we so afraid of these bacteria, most of which are friendly and quite helpful?
I think it’s a combination of a few really sick people and the media. Sure there is higher chances of catching other people’s “germs” by contact, but must we act like we are avoiding the plague at all times?
The rise of anti-bacterial (bacteria-killing) hand soaps has, not only fed the bacteria panic in our culture, but has also led to the birth of new super bacteria and resistant bacteria. Living in a completely bacteria free environment is not only nearly impossible, but very dangerous for your health.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Our bodies naturally contain and desperately rely on billions of bacteria every single day. Without them, we die. So why not let them do their job and live in harmony with them?
If you can’t already tell, I’m NOT a fan of avoiding bacteria and I avoid at all costs anything labelled as “anti-bacterial”. Quite frankly, I’d like to see more “pro-bacterial” packaging popping up at my store! Perhaps a few “lick here” community poles and doorknobs? Ok… too far…
Please don’t misunderstand me here. I DO advocate for hand washing. I think it’s a great way to stay clean and avoid unnecessary transport of “bad” bacteria. Did you know that you CAN wash your hands and keep them clean without using harmful anti-bacterial soaps? Well, I’m here to teach you just that!
I must be fully honest with you here. I haven’t always thought this way. Nope. I will admit, just ask my husband, that I used to be a full blown anti-bacterial soap addict. Yup, you heard me right. My soap of choice: Bath & Body Works. I mean, how could I resist? With names like “Sparkling Pear”, “Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin”, and “Crisp Morning Air”, what was a girl to do? Don’t even get me started on the beautiful packaging and amazing flash sales every month. I was doomed. Luckily, a little education & a little time out of the country helped break me of my addiction cold turkey. I’m proud to say that I no longer have cravings to stop by the store or even so much as smell the fake chemical scents. I’m in the clear! Phew!
The best, easiest, and cheapest way of avoiding harmful chemicals in not only hand soap, but any household products, is to learn to make them yourself. I was SURPRISED once I embarked on my own journey of homemaking, at how EASY all of these things were to make.
Why make your own hand soap?
Avoid harmful chemicals
Most (even “natural”) store bought hand soaps contain harmful chemicals and perfumes that can enter your bloodstream and over time, cause havoc on your cells and body processes. Every year the list of chemicals that have been linked to cancer is growing at a scary rate.
Save $$
Making hand soap yourself is UNBELIEVABLY cheap. I made my last batch for $2.50 and it has lasted me 8 months and counting!
Easy & Simple
I still can’t believe how easy and quick the process is. Picture putting on your shoes in the morning or brushing your teeth. Pretty easy, right? Quick, right? Yup, that’s just like making hand soap.
Gratification
Have you ever made someone from scratch at home before? Maybe it was your grandma’s famous salad dressing recipe or all-purpose tile cleaner. If so, then you know that feeling you get after accomplishing something yourself. There is nothing quite like it. To know that you created something with your own hands, something so positive for your health and that of your family, is a very proud moment.
Sure, you could have easily gone to the store and bought the generic “organic, all natural” salad dressing or cleaner like you usually do. But you didn’t. You stayed committed to the quality of your health and put in the effort to do something positive. Good for you!
Recipe
Here’s how to make your very own batch of hand soap. Now, stay close with me because it can get a little confusing…
Ingredients:
- ¼ Cup of a bar of natural soap ( I use Dr. Bonners brand)
- 4 Cups of distilled water
Ok, I hope I didn’t lose you there. I told you it was complicated.
If you’re still with me, here’s what to do.
Step #1: Use a cheese grater to grate ¼ cup (about ¼ bar) of the natural soap you selected.
****Knowledge Blast**** Did you know that to make soap all you do is mix fat/oil with a chemical that causes a reaction to make it hard? Soap is not complicated and does NOT require the hefty list of ingredients in most commercial brands. Who knew!?
Step #2: Place water and grated soap into a pot on the stove.
Step #3: Heat on medium and stir until all of the soap is dissolved in the water.
Step #4: Let the mixture cool completely. As it cools it will harden into a soft gel. This process may take up to 24 hours to completely “set”. You can pour the warm liquid directly into the hand soap pumps you plan to use or simply leave it in the pot to gel and transfer with a funnel into your containers after. Once the gel has formed you may need to stir or shake it to get it to flow/pump easier.
**Extra additions: If your bar of soap didn’t have any scent and you wish to add more, simply add 10-15 drops of your favourite essential oils into the gel once your soap has set. My favorites are rosemary and lavender.
Depending on your type of soap and water, you may find your gel to be either too liquid or too stiff for your soap dispenser. NO PROBLEMO! Simply re-heat/melt your soap and either, add a splash more water to thin it out, or add more grated soap to thicken. You’re your own kitchen scientist so play with it!
I made a double batch of this soap and is has lasted me months on end. You can store any leftover soap in mason jars or any container you have handy.
Have fun!
Love & Happy Hands,
Dani