Gardener's Soap

[misskat22]

If I were to make a gardener's soap, what would be the best 'scrubby' to put in it? I have oatmeal, coffee, pumice, and eucalyptus and peppermint leaves. I have a lemongrass verbena fragrance that I was thinking about using, so I was kind of leaning towards the pumice (it's very fine) but was wondering if that might be too rough? I personally don't garden, so I'm not really sure to what degree it needs to be scrubby. I did do a search and found LOTS of answers, and kind of feel like it's a personal preference thing, but like I said, I don't garden, so I'm not really sure. Any help would be great, thanks!

 

[soap_bubbles]

I have used finely ground corn meal and poppy seeds for gentle scrubbing, although the pumice sounds good!

 

[Mommysoaper]

The pumice sounds fine to me, but you can use all of the items you mentioned, just depends on how "scrubby" you want it. I made a coffee soap with coffee grounds and my MIL uses that as a gerdener's soap. I have also seen some recipes where soapers have used a blend of exfoliants in a gardener's soap i.e, pumice and cornmeal, oatmeal and coffee, etc. You may have to play around with a few different recipes and see which you like best. An excuse to make more batches of soap!

 

[Lotus]

The pumice sounds fine. I like to garden. So, I advise, that whatever you choose to put in it (I LOVE verbena), definitely make sure your soap has a bit extra lathering oils in it, as this is what really helps best with getting all the nooks and crannies. You might want to sell a nail brush with your soap too. : )

 

[Mockingbird Ramble]

I made coffee soap for my scrubby and while I like it, I would do a finer grind on the grounds instead of just store bought size.

 

[three_little_fishes]

I made coffee soap for my scrubby and while I like it, I would do a finer grind on the grounds instead of just store bought size.

Yes. This. I did the same.

 

[kazmi]

A little pumice stone sounds nice as long as it's not too much. I love to garden and your soap sounds like something I would like for pampering myself afterwards. Try a small batch and see how it comes out.

 

[LovelyMalia]

Although I haven't tried pumice, I notice a great blend with lard and cornmeal. Something about the hardness of the lard and the gritty cornmeal makes it more like a rock haha

 

[Lotus]

Although I haven't tried pumice, I notice a great blend with lard and cornmeal. Something about the hardness of the lard and the gritty cornmeal makes it more like a rock haha

Oooh! Cornmeal is a brilliant exfoliant idea!! I want to try that! You know that cornmeal comes in different grades of fineness. I want to head to Bob's Red Mill and gets some good quality stuff.

 

[christinak]

I used peppermint and eucalyptus flakes in mine Poppy seeds, too. Smells amazing and works like a charm

https://www.etsy.com/listing/129788040/greenhouse-scrubby-bar-naked-apothecary

 

[Lotus]

I used peppermint and eucalyptus flakes in mine Poppy seeds, too. Smells amazing and works like a charm

https://www.etsy.com/listing/129788040/greenhouse-scrubby-bar-naked-apothecary

I read in my soap making book that peppermint is notorious for seizing soap! Am I wrong?

 

[Ruthie]

Peppermint eo? I've made many batches and never nad a problem with seizing or even accelerating.

 

[lizflowers42]

My mom just today requested a good gardener's soap. I told her I could make it, but it's going to be a month before she gets it....so now I need to make it...playing with ideas...I have a FO sample from Candle Science called Basil and Herb that I think I will use in it, but not sure what else. Maybe tomato paste for color (fits the theme)...as far as scrubbies, I'm not sure if I want to use ground coffee for a dirt look or not!

 

[soapguy]

I'm not sure what gardener's soap is, but I have been toying with the idea of citronella soap.
I hate mosquito's and the season is just starting.

 

[misskat22]

Gardener's soap is one that has something scrubby in it to help get dirt off of hands They usually have a 'fresh' kind of smell. Sometimes they'll have something a little more moisturizing in it to replenish hands after digging in dirt

 

[Lotus]

I'm not sure what gardener's soap is, but I have been toying with the idea of citronella soap.
I hate mosquito's and the season is just starting.

Hey! I was just thinking that, too. You know, according to Brambleberry, Catnip is also supposed to be an effective bug repellant. I want to make a catnip/citronella soap soon.

 

[Ruthie]

I love, love, love my coffee gardener's soap. I use coffee for the liquid, too, (or coffee and goat's milk) so it does turn out very brown. (Would not see the tomato paste)

 

[DeeAnna]

SoapGuy and Lotus -- Hey, soap washes off, guys. A citronella or catnip soap really won't do much in the way of repelling insects, unless you plan to wear a bar around your neck and tied to each ankle and wrist. :mrgreen: For a truly functional insect repellent, I'd make an anhydrous balm or water-based lotion with appropriate EOs that you put on and leave on.

Edit -- To keep this connected to the thread, I would love to make a gardener's or kitchen soap with coffee as the liquid and finely ground coffee as the exfoliant -- thanks for the idea, Ruthie. Coffee can be a good deodorizer, and that would be nice in a kitchen soap. Love the ideas in this thread!

 

[Lotus]

SoapGuy and Lotus -- Hey, soap washes off, guys. A citronella or catnip soap really won't do much in the way of repelling insects, unless you plan to wear a bar around your neck and tied to each ankle and wrist. :mrgreen: For a truly functional insect repellent, I'd make an anhydrous balm or water-based lotion with appropriate EOs that you put on and leave on.

Edit -- To keep this connected to the thread, I would love to make a gardener's or kitchen soap with coffee as the liquid and finely ground coffee as the exfoliant -- thanks for the idea, Ruthie. Coffee can be a good deodorizer, and that would be nice in a kitchen soap. Love the ideas in this thread!

Is it not the scent that repels them, though? And the scent definitely stays on your skin (which in my opinion, begs the question, is it really washing completely off?). But, that point aside, I hate lotion, and don't use it. Actually, soap is the only thing I'll use on my skin. So, I guess I'm stuck, seeing if it works, or getting bitten. : )

 

[Bicycle808]

I make coffee soap allllll the time. Popular with mechanics and, sometimes, gardeners. (I leave bars up at the farm at work, too.) I use coffee for the lye/water solution, and toss some unused grinds into the soap at trace. Finer grind is better, but whole bean coffee (used so you can select the grind) can be pricey. My solution is to use the dirt-cheap, finely ground (molida fina) coffees in the "Ethnic" section of the grocery: Cafe Bustelo and Cafe Supremo. These are some dark-roast, highly aromatic, very affordable options that are "espresso style" (which is finely ground, but using Bustelo to pack a shot results in some terrible espresso, with dreadful crema and harsh flavor.) Still, works great for soap, or even for the morning brew for times that the wife neglects to mention that we're out of good stuff....

Another factor for coffee soap ppl: coffee is very acidic, and theoretically could throw off your recipe's calculations. Personally, I've never cared at all and just figure it all out assuming a 5% superfat, knowing that it could end up being a higher percentage. For those of you who are worry warts, you may find solace in the fact that most Sumatran varieties of coffee are low-acid. Downside is, it's more costly and less stinky than the cheap stuff, like Cafe Supremo....