Indulge your traveling house guests with these aromatic handmade soaps that will help relax their mind and body. These Asian-inspired guest soaps are simple to make using clear melt and pour soap, coloring, essential oils and a few kitchen utensils.
The three essential oils used in this blend are obtained from plants that are used extensively in Asian cuisine and easily grown in warm climates. When combined these essential oils make a therapeutic blend with a refreshing scent.
Ginger (zingiber officinals) is a tender creeping rhizome. The essential oil is extracted from the root by steam distillation. This oil contains components that will help an upset stomach due to traveling and lower back pain from sitting.
Lemongrass (cymbopogon citratus) is a grass with clumped bulbous stems that have long leaf blades. The essential oil is extracted from the leaves by steam distillation. This oil has properties to disinfect hands, stimulate the digestive system and re-energize the tired soul.
Mandarin Orange (citrus reticulate) is an evergreen fruittree with thorny, slender twigs, broad or slender leaves and peels that are bright-orange or red-orange when ripe. This essential oil is extracted from the peel. The oil has the ability to help with jet lag and insomnia, and can induce happiness.
Asian-Inspired Guest Soap Recipe
What a magnificent style of like soap displays! – Francis Ponge, Soap
Materials Needed:
• Clear melt and pour soap
• Coloring: gold, green, orange
• Essential Oils: ginger root, lemongrass, mandarin orange
• 1 quart glass Pyrex measuring cup
• 3 small glass Pyrex bowls
• Parchment paper
• Tray with edges
• Cookie cutters
Instructions:
1. Melt 2 cups of cubed soap on half power in the microwave for approximately 3-1/2 minutes, stirring halfway. (Need approximately 1 to 1-1/2 cups of melted soap.)
2. Divide the melted soap equally into the three microwavable glass bowls.
3. In one bowl add gold coloring, stir, then add the ginger essential oil and stir. In a second bowl add green coloring, stir, then add the add lemongrass essential oil and stir. In the third bowl add orange coloring, stir, then add the mandarin orange essential oil and stir. If the soap starts to harden in the cups re-microwave for a few seconds and stir.
4. Cover trays with parchment paper. Pour each cup of melted soap, using a swirling motion, onto parchment paper to create a thin layer of soap. Allow soap to harden a few minutes.
5. After hardening, place a cutter on the soap, push straight down and twist a bit to cut out the shape.
6. Place the soaps in a small dish for guests to use in the bathroom.
Desiree Bell is a natural lifestyle creator who explores, blogs, inspires and teaches people to be resourcefully creative. Find more inspiration on her blog.