 Nature's
Way
with Alan Hayes
Recycling soap scraps
We all need to keep clean and most of us use soap to wash ourselves. The downside of this daily chore is that eventually we end up with lots of little pieces of soap that appears to have no apparent use. But they do! Don't throw them out, instead recycle them into useful household soap products.
The easiest way to use soap scraps is to pop them into a towelling bag and use it as a pre-soaped wash bag. Simply make a drawstring bag, fill it with leftover soap scraps, add two tablespoons of dried herbs, such as chamomile and lavender, two tablespoons of medium ground oatmeal, and hang in your shower recess. It will save on soap, great for softening the skin, and is easy for small children to handle.
You can also recycle soap scraps into new soap bars. Place the scraps in a saucepan, cover with water and allow to soak for 24 hours, giving an occasional stir. Bring to the boil, remove from heat and add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to each cupful of the soap mixture. Pour the mixture into suitable moulds and allow to harden for two weeks before use.
If you want to use your soap after 24 hours, omit the vegetable oil from the recipe.
To make liquid soap, place leftover pieces of soap in a jar of hot water, then add some lemon juice and glycerine and shake well.
Handy Cleaning Gel
Soap scraps can be made into a handy cleaning gel for general purpose household and laundry use. This gel will remove most stubborn stains and is excellent for removing grease from carpets and for washing greasy clothes. Place soap scraps in a saucepan, cover with water and allow to soak for twenty-four hours, stirring occasionally. Bring the mixture to boil over a medium heat, stirring continuously, then reduce to a simmer. Whisk or mash to completely dissolve the soap. Remove from heat, allow to cool, and for each cup of the resultant soap-like jelly, add two cups of talcum powder and two tablespoons of mineral turpentine. Mix well and store in a large, wide-mouthed container with a tightfitting lid.
All Purpose Stain Remover
Mix together, in an enamel or stainless steel saucepan, four cups of finely grated or chopped soap scraps, three tablespoons of eucalyptus oil, and one cup of methylated spirits and one cup of boiling water. Stand the saucepan in a larger pan of hot water over a medium heat, stirring the mixture until it turns clear.
Pour the soap mixture into moulds (empty milk cartons are ideal) and leave to cool and set. Cut into bars and leave for about four weeks to fully harden.
Honey and Oatmeal Soap
Place two cups of grated soap scraps in a saucepan, cover with cold water and allow to stand for 24 hours. Add two tablespoons of honey and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the soap has melted. Remove from heat, stir in half a cup of medium ground oatmeal and two tablespoons of glycerine, mixing well. Pour into moulds and leave to cool and set, then cut into bars. Allow the soap bars to cure for about six weeks.
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