DIY Life

CasaSugar's got it right: most liquid soaps are filled with unnecessary chemicals and toxins. Antibacterial soaps are all the rage, but studies have shown that regular soap cleans just as well as chemical-laden soap, and it doesn't create super-bugs -- germs that are resistant to antibiotics.

If you've got a bar of plain old soap, you can turn it into liquid soap, natural and effective. This is also a way you can use up your soap scraps, or your soap trimmings if you make cold-process soap.

You'll need a bar of soap, distilled water, a grater, a big pot, and a hand blender. CasaSugar lists the detailed steps for making liquid soap in their article. Join me after the break for ideas on how to make your basic liquid soap into an everyday luxury.

Join me each week as I explore the naturally aromatic side of DIY. Helpful recipes for your "scentual" pleasure: from essential oils, herbs, and other botanicals to soap-making, body care products and other useful blends.

I know what you are thinking: Why, oh why, would I want to own that smelly tea tree oil? I certainly can't make something aromatic with it, so what aromatherapeutic good is it to me?

It's true, tea tree oil doesn't smell as pretty as some of the essential oils (it sure doesn't stink like some oils -- neem, for example), but it can enhance some blends, especially mints. For all of the following reasons, you'll want to have some tea tree oil around: