There was a time when our world was more frugal, when throwing something out was akin to breaking the unwritten eleventh commandment.
Everything was saved and put to good use.
Scraps of fabric became quilts, bits of leftovers became a mouth-watering stew, and even those small, useless nubs of soap were transformed into lovely and practical soap balls.
Frugality has made a comeback, and with it the art of making hand-milled soap balls.
Roll up your sleeves, call the children, clear off the counter, and get out the soap! You are making soap balls.
The options for making soap balls are limited only by your ingredients and your imagination.
Follow the basic instructions below, and then release your creative energies by trying some of the more elaborate variations.
Basic Hand-Milled Soap Balls You will need bar soap, either full bars or ends.
While unscented is preferred, use whatever you have on hand.
You also need a small amount of water, a grater, and a large bowl.
Grate the soap into a bowl, making a reasonable attempt to preserve the skin on your knuckles.
Add a small amount of water, enough to make the soap stick together when pressed into a ball.
Be sure to add only a splash or two at a time, so as not to end up with soap soup.
Using your hands, ball the soap into your preferred size.
(If you do not want soap-covered hands, coat your hands in any type of oil before shaping.
) Allow your creations to harden for two or three days.
Congratulations! You are now an official master of making soap balls! Now comes the fun part.
Creative Soap Balls Now that you know how to make ball soap, free your creative side to explore the unlimited options for experimenting with the scent and look of your little treasures.
Add a small amount of your favorite essential oil to the mix in the bowl.
Less is more; add only a few drops, and use caution, reading all warning labels.
Determine your need or preference, do a little research on the benefits of aromatherapy, and choose the scent that would best suit your purpose.
Consider lavender for relaxation, peppermint for rejuvenation, or one or a combination of numerous other oils for scenting your soap.
Cut dried herbs or flowers into small pieces to spruce up the soap.
Either mix the plants in with the soap gratings, or roll the finished product in the cuttings.
Go seasonal by using whatever dried flowers are out in the yard.
Your kitchen is a terrific place to explore new ideas when making soap balls.
Grate orange peel into the mix to benefit from the orange oil and the scent.
Instead of water, add coffee and a few grounds to the grated soap.
The resultant coffee soap is a great odor-remover for stubborn onion and tuna smells on the hands.
Use cocoa powder for a fun soap that will make your children actually want to wash up.
Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliant that makes a great addition to the mix.
Dried herbs or cinnamon from the spice cupboard are both excellent options.
If you wish to further color your creations, consider a natural colorant.
Boil onion skins or flower petals in water and use this in place of the water in your mix.
An option for a deep green is chlorophyll mixed in water, available at a health food store.
Also try carrot juice, beet root, paprika, or anything else that looks appealing.
Although it would no longer be a soap ball, experiment with the shape of your creation.
Egg shapes, ovals, discs, and snowmen with features made out of poppy seeds are all delightful possibilities.
The options are endless! Experiment until you find what suits your personal preferences.
Packaging and Displaying Soap Balls Soap balls make useful and affordable homemade gifts when thoughtfully packaged.
Loose or bundled soap balls make excellent gift basket ideas tucked alongside other practical handcrafted items, or they can be charmingly packaged alone.
Place three small ball soaps in a nest-shaped, raffia-filled basket.
Wrap a trio of balls or one large ball in cellophane and tie it off with a simple ribbon or raffia with a home-made tag.
Place an array in a small jar, a basket, a pretty dish, or even a decorative container such as a small sleigh or watering can for display on a vanity.
Fill a small, attractive box or any other recycled container with an assortment of soap balls for a gift, and allow the recipient to choose the display method.
You could even empty the contents from a box of chocolates or bag of coffee beans and refill either with appropriately scented soap balls.
A "do not eat" tag would definitely be in order.
The options for making, adorning, displaying and packaging soap balls are limited only by your imagination.
Making soap balls is a fun, frugal activity which results in an affordable homemade gift and a practical product that hearkens back to the good ol' days.
Enjoy the clean, old-fashioned fun of making soap balls!
Everything was saved and put to good use.
Scraps of fabric became quilts, bits of leftovers became a mouth-watering stew, and even those small, useless nubs of soap were transformed into lovely and practical soap balls.
Frugality has made a comeback, and with it the art of making hand-milled soap balls.
Roll up your sleeves, call the children, clear off the counter, and get out the soap! You are making soap balls.
The options for making soap balls are limited only by your ingredients and your imagination.
Follow the basic instructions below, and then release your creative energies by trying some of the more elaborate variations.
Basic Hand-Milled Soap Balls You will need bar soap, either full bars or ends.
While unscented is preferred, use whatever you have on hand.
You also need a small amount of water, a grater, and a large bowl.
Grate the soap into a bowl, making a reasonable attempt to preserve the skin on your knuckles.
Add a small amount of water, enough to make the soap stick together when pressed into a ball.
Be sure to add only a splash or two at a time, so as not to end up with soap soup.
Using your hands, ball the soap into your preferred size.
(If you do not want soap-covered hands, coat your hands in any type of oil before shaping.
) Allow your creations to harden for two or three days.
Congratulations! You are now an official master of making soap balls! Now comes the fun part.
Creative Soap Balls Now that you know how to make ball soap, free your creative side to explore the unlimited options for experimenting with the scent and look of your little treasures.
Add a small amount of your favorite essential oil to the mix in the bowl.
Less is more; add only a few drops, and use caution, reading all warning labels.
Determine your need or preference, do a little research on the benefits of aromatherapy, and choose the scent that would best suit your purpose.
Consider lavender for relaxation, peppermint for rejuvenation, or one or a combination of numerous other oils for scenting your soap.
Cut dried herbs or flowers into small pieces to spruce up the soap.
Either mix the plants in with the soap gratings, or roll the finished product in the cuttings.
Go seasonal by using whatever dried flowers are out in the yard.
Your kitchen is a terrific place to explore new ideas when making soap balls.
Grate orange peel into the mix to benefit from the orange oil and the scent.
Instead of water, add coffee and a few grounds to the grated soap.
The resultant coffee soap is a great odor-remover for stubborn onion and tuna smells on the hands.
Use cocoa powder for a fun soap that will make your children actually want to wash up.
Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliant that makes a great addition to the mix.
Dried herbs or cinnamon from the spice cupboard are both excellent options.
If you wish to further color your creations, consider a natural colorant.
Boil onion skins or flower petals in water and use this in place of the water in your mix.
An option for a deep green is chlorophyll mixed in water, available at a health food store.
Also try carrot juice, beet root, paprika, or anything else that looks appealing.
Although it would no longer be a soap ball, experiment with the shape of your creation.
Egg shapes, ovals, discs, and snowmen with features made out of poppy seeds are all delightful possibilities.
The options are endless! Experiment until you find what suits your personal preferences.
Packaging and Displaying Soap Balls Soap balls make useful and affordable homemade gifts when thoughtfully packaged.
Loose or bundled soap balls make excellent gift basket ideas tucked alongside other practical handcrafted items, or they can be charmingly packaged alone.
Place three small ball soaps in a nest-shaped, raffia-filled basket.
Wrap a trio of balls or one large ball in cellophane and tie it off with a simple ribbon or raffia with a home-made tag.
Place an array in a small jar, a basket, a pretty dish, or even a decorative container such as a small sleigh or watering can for display on a vanity.
Fill a small, attractive box or any other recycled container with an assortment of soap balls for a gift, and allow the recipient to choose the display method.
You could even empty the contents from a box of chocolates or bag of coffee beans and refill either with appropriately scented soap balls.
A "do not eat" tag would definitely be in order.
The options for making, adorning, displaying and packaging soap balls are limited only by your imagination.
Making soap balls is a fun, frugal activity which results in an affordable homemade gift and a practical product that hearkens back to the good ol' days.
Enjoy the clean, old-fashioned fun of making soap balls!