DIY Gardener's Hand Soap Recipe With Loofah, Melt and Pour Soap

This easy to make gardener's hand soap is made with clay, ground almonds, and loofah to scrub away dirt and grime.  It makes a great scrubbing hand soap for mechanics and anyone else who gets dirty while working or playing. 

I said we were scaling back on the garden this year because it's a lot of work during the summer.  My schedule isn't showing any signs of stopping, so something needs cut back.

Then we went shopping for plants and seeds.  We ended up planting three of the four gardens this year.  So if I'm not at the computer, I'm pulling weeds.

Unfortunately, it rained for most of June.  I only managed to get 2 cucumbers this year because of the rain.  We also lost several over plants and didn't get a great harvest.

All of the weeding has wrecked havoc on my hands and nails.  I made a gardener's hand soap recipe to help loosen dirt and grime.

I enjoy taking care of my flowers at the house and while gardening in the vegetable garden isn't my favorite, it's very much worth it when I can pull a jar of home grown food off the shelf during the winter.

DIY GARDENER'S HAND SOAP WITH LOOFAH

We have a lot of clay in our soil.  I do live in farm country after all.  It's high in clay, which is great for plants, but it's not so great for my skin.

We have a huge garden.  It's divided into four plots with grass in the middle to get the tractor and 4-wheeler through.

These are two of the gardens, or half of the area we have.  We planted three of these plots.

My hands get stained green and brown from the plants and the soil.  It's hard to scrub off, so I made this gardener's hand soap with loofah and melt and pour soap.

This is a fairly easy recipe to make since it uses a glycerin soap base.  I added some things to give it a little extra scrubbing power and cut through the grease.

More DIY melt and pour soap recipes:

• Blueberry Oatmeal Doughnut Soap
• How to Make Succulent Soaps
• Honeycomb Melt and Pour Soap
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Soap
• Cupcake Soap With Bath Puff
• Calendula Soap for Dry Skin

MELT AND POUR SOAP

I used Crafty Bubbles white melt and pour soap to make this gardener's hand soap recipe.  It's what I always use and have for years.  It's only available from their catalog, but you can use any melt and pour soap base.

Since this does have additives that you want suspended in the soap, you can use a suspension soap.  I do not use one.  I let my soap cool to 125 degrees before pouring, but if you have that base, feel free to use it.

GROUND ALMONDS

I added some ground almonds for some extra scrubbing power in this DIY gardener's hand soap recipe.  It's a gentle exfoliant and works very well in soap.

You could also use ground pumice.  It scrubs better, but I am out of it, so I used the almonds.

BENTONITE CLAY

I added some bentonite clay because it helps exfoliate.  It also boosts lather in soap, which I like in this gardener's hand soap recipe.

Bentonite clay can be tricky to add to melt and pour.  I mix it with glycerin to make a paste and add it that way.

Be sure not to use a metal spoon or bowl when you're working with bentonite.  It affects its ability to draw out toxins from your skin.

ESSENTIAL OILS

For this gardener's hand soap recipe, I wanted functional essential oils as well as those that smelled good together.  I ended up using lemon essential oil, peppermint essential oil, and tea tree oil.

The lemon essential oil is a great degreaser.  It helps lift dirt and oils to clean your skin.  Peppermint essential oil is soothing on your skin.

Tea tree oil is naturally antimicrobial, so it helps kill germs.  This is important if you get tiny cuts on your skin while gardening.

You could also use lavender essential oil in place of the peppermint.  It's naturally antimicrobial, so it could replace both the peppermint and tea tree.  It's gentle on your skin, too.

Orange essential oil would also be a good substitute for the lemon.  It also helps cut through grease and oil.

LOOFAH

Loofah comes from a tropical plant that's related to the cucumber.  When the inside is dried, it forms a natural sponge like material that is a great natural exfoliator.

By putting it in the gardener's hand soap, it helps gently exfoliate without being too harsh.  This makes it a lot more convenient to use, too.

You can buy a piece of loofah and make your own slices or buy precut slices if you'll be making a lot of these soaps.

GARDENER'S HAND SOAP INGREDIENTS

• 16 ounces melt and pour soap
• 1/2 tablespoon ground almonds
• 1/2 tablespoon bentonite clay
• glycerin 
• loofah
• 33 drops lemon essential oil
• 33 drops peppermint essential oil
• 33 drops tea tree oil

GARDENER'S HAND SOAP SUPPLIES

• 4 cup Pyrex measuring cup
• Wooden spoon
• Laser thermometer
• Digital scale
• Round soap mold

GARDENER'S HAND SOAP DIRECTIONS

STEP #1

Cut 1 to 1.5 inch slices of loofah to fit your mold.  I used a serrated steak knife.  Some people soak the sponge before cutting, but it just squishes for me.  It's personal preference.

STEP #2

Soak them in water to soften them.  Set them aside while you cut the soap.

STEP #3

Cut 1 pound of melt and pour soap into small chunks about 1 inch cubes.  Place in 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup or glass bowl to melt.

STEP #4

Melt the soap in 30 second intervals in the microwave.  Stir at each interval.  

STEP #5

Remove the loofah slices from the water and squeeze them dry.  Place them in the round soap mold.

STEP #6

Mix the clay with just enough glycerin to make a paste.  Add that and the nut powder to the soap.  Stir well.  Add the essential oils when the temperature is below 160 degrees and stir.

STEP #7 

Let the soap cool to 125 degrees so the nuts and clay stay suspended. Carefully pour the soap over the loofahs.  I started in the middle and moved outwards.  This will fill four cavities in the mold that I used.

Let your gardener's hand soap sit for a few hours until fully hardened.  You can use your soap right away, but I think it lasts longer if it can sit for a few days to harden.

As with all soaps, if this sits in water, it will get soft and mushy.  I use a soap dish to keep my soaps drier so they last longer.

I like the metal soap dishes because they are so easy to clean.  Wood soap dishes can grow mold and get soft and fall apart.  

My metal soap dish is easy to clean with just water and a disposable antibacterial wipe, and it looks brand new after about three years of daily use.

I hope you enjoy this DIY gardener's hand soap recipe with loofah and melt and pour soap!

diy, soap, clay, loofah

Yield: 4 4-ounce bars

Author: Cari @ Everything Pretty

Estimated cost: $10

Gardener's Hand Soap

prep time: 15 Mperform time: 1 hourtotal time: 1 H & 15 M

This gardener's hand soap recipe is easy to make with melt and pour soap and loofah. It has essential oils, clay, and ground almonds to gently remove dirt and oils.

materials:

• 16 ounces melt and pour soap
• 1/2 tablespoon ground almonds
• 1/2 tablespoon bentonite clay
• glycerin
• loofah
• 33 drops lemon essential oil
• 33 drops peppermint essential oil
• 33 drops tea tree oil

tools:

• 4 cup Pyrex measuring cup
• Wooden spoon
• Laser thermometer
• Digital scale
• Round soap mold

steps:

1. Cut 1 to 1.5 inch slices of loofah to fit your mold.
2. Soak them in water to soften them. Set them aside while you cut the soap.
3. Cut 1 pound of melt and pour soap into small chunks about 1 inch cubes. Place in 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup or glass bowl to melt.
4. Melt the soap in 30 second intervals in the microwave. Stir at each interval.
5. Remove the loofah slices from the water and squeeze them dry. Place them in the round soap mold.
6. Mix the clay with just enough glycerin to make a paste. Add that and the nut powder to the soap. Stir well. Add the essential oils when the temperature is below 160 degrees and stir.
7. Let the soap cool to 125 degrees so the nuts and clay stay suspended. Carefully pour the soap over the loofahs. I started in the middle and moved outwards. 

Recommended Products:

Loofah Slices

Crafter's Choice Mold

Ground Almonds

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Best Natural Cleaning Products to Buy or DIY

If you're looking to live a more natural life and want to remove chemicals from your home, here at the best natural cleaning products to buy or DIY.

I've been using natural cleaning products since long before it was a thing, even before the Internet was a staple in each home.  

At first, I did it out of necessity.  We didn't have a lot of money and with a baby on the way, I had to keep a tight budget.

Now, I still use the best natural cleaning products.  Three of us have asthma, and we can't be breathing in the fumes.  

My natural products work well, so I'm not missing out on anything.  They are inexpensive to make, too.  

Sometimes I make my own, and other times I buy them.  Honestly, it just depends on my mood and how much time I have.  Sometimes I just don't have time to make a recipe.  

Or maybe I found a great deal with coupons or by buying in bulk.  I will stock up when I see a great price.

THE BEST NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS TO BUY OR DIY

I'm going to separate this into two lists, so it's going to be long.  I was going to make them into completely separate posts, but then I thought maybe my readers are like me.  I like the option of DIYing or buying.  

If you're interested in recipes, scroll down for those.

BEST NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS TO BUY

METHOD LAUNDRY DETERGENT

I do make my own laundry detergent and love it, but sometime I run out and just don't get it made.  That's when I use method laundry detergent.  (Or buy from Grove for free shipping and freebies when you spend $20).

Sometimes I use this just because it smells amazing and it's one of the best natural cleaning products.  I do miss the wonderful smells of commercial detergent sometimes.  

method is super concentrated, so there's little plastic waste.  I reuse them for my homemade detergent and then recycle, but I still like less plastic.  It's also septic safe.

MRS. MEYER'S DISH SOAP

I don't make my own dish soap because I like suds.  Yes, I know they aren't needed, but it's psychological.  Mrs. Meyer's dish soap in lemon verbena is hands down my favorite best natural cleaning products.  (Buy from Grove)

The smell is ah-maaaaazing!  And you get refill jugs for less plastic waste.

GREENWORKS COMPOSTING WIPES

These are a lifesaver, and I'll admit that I buy a lot of these.  I was using another brand, and I about cried each time I tossed one.  The Greenworks wipes are composting, so no more guilt.

I don't use these all over the house, but they are perfect for the bathroom.  My bathroom is teeny tiny, but I can put these in the cabinet and use one every night for a quick clean.  The convenience plus being biodegradable makes them the best natural cleaning products for my home.

BIOKLEEN BAC-OUT STAIN REMOVER

If you haven't used an enzyme cleaner, get this Biokleen Bac-Out Stain Remover post haste.  I will admit that my favorite enzyme cleaner is from Norwex, but I can not handle the pressure to host a party nor do I want to pay $30 for a $10 list price item.

So I switched to Biokleen.  (But if you're at a party, their enzyme cleaner is awesome.)  I put this in the mop bucket when I clean my wood floors.  It's also the only thing that gets of that smell in the bathroom.  Moms of boys know exactly what smell I'm talking about.  

CLEANWELL BOTANICAL DISINFECTANT

A natural disinfectant was the last product I switched to.  For years, I used a natural cleaner in the summer and bought the strong stuff for the winter.  I've since switched to Cleanwell Botanical Disinfectant.

We kept getting sick constantly when I was using my vinegar cleaner.  I have two in the family who get sick if someone so much as coughs within 1000 feet of them.  My son, Caleb, was hospitalized with RSV or pneumonia every year for the first 6 years.  So you get my hesitation.  

Caleb's immune system (or lungs) improved, and I found out about thymol.  It's derived from thyme, and it's a powerful natural disinfectant.  It is almost as effective as bleach.  I made the switch a few years ago, and we still get colds, but we've been mostly healthy.  

METHOD ANTIBAC TOILET CLEANER

We have hard water, so I have to be careful with what I use here.  I found the method antibac toilet cleaner a while ago.  As much as I love their laundry detergent and hand soap, I didn't have high hopes with our well water. (Buy from Grove)

I was wrong. Scrub, let it sit 10 minutes, then scrub again.  Boom, you're done.

MRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY MULTI-SURFACE CLEANER

For an all purpose cleaner, you can't beat Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Cleaner. I use this for spot cleaning and cleaning counters.  (Buy from Grove)

I buy the refill and use it to mop my floors.  It makes the best ever car wash soap, too.

HONEST MULTI SURFACE SPRAY

The Honest Company Multi Surface Spray is a nice all purpose spray for most surfaces.  I use it on the counters and other places that get greasy or messy.  This cuts through grease better than others, probably due to the grapefruit essential oil.

Even though money isn't as tight now as it was when we were newlyweds, I still like to save money.  I buy my best natural cleaning products on Amazon or on Grove.  

If you click on the picture, you can get a free Mrs. Meyer's home kit with a $20 purchase from Grove.  You also get free shipping and a VIP trial.

BEST NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS TO DIY

I've made a lot of cleaning products over the years.  Some worked, and some didn't.  The ones I've shared here are the ones that I've tested and tweaked until they worked as good as the store bought versions.

If you're using essential oils in your DIY natural cleaning recipes, here's a list of the best essential oils for cleaning and how to use them.  These are my favorite best natural cleaning products to make at home.

DIY WINDOW AND GLASS CLEANER

This window and glass cleaner recipe is so easy to make!  It has arrowroot powder in it to really scrub off fingerprints and spots.  The arrowroot powder is key to making this the best natural cleaning products window cleaner.

DIY DUSTING SPRAY RECIPE

This dusting spray recipe has oils in it to protect wood.  I also add some lemon essential oil to cut grease, so it's perfect for the table and chairs.

DIY DISINFECTING SPRAY RECIPE

This DIY disinfecting spray is perfect for the counters, door knobs, and even in the mop bucket.  It doesn't smell great, but it works great in the bathroom to kill germs naturally.

NATURAL AIR FRESHENER

This easy DIY natural air freshener puts a light scent in the air and it absorbs odors.  I keep one in the bathroom.

HOMEMADE ALL PURPOSE CLEANER

Use this homemade all purpose spray to clean counters, walls, and most other surfaces.  This is my most often used best natural cleaning product that I make.

DIY LAUNDRY SOAP - NO GRATING

Grating is the worst part about making homemade laundry detergent.  Here's how to make it without grating.  I use this best natural cleaning products all the time and have for years.

CASTILE SOAP CONCENTRATE

I use liquid castile soap to wash my floors and pretty much anything that's dirty.  I make this easy castile soap concentrate to save space.

DIY REED DIFFUSER

Naturally scent your home with this easy DIY reed diffuser.

DIY DISINFECTING WIPES

These DIY disinfecting wipes are definitely on my list of things to try!

DIY DRYER SHEETS

I don't use dryer sheets, but I might try these DIY dryer sheets to get a little fragrance in my laundry.

DIY DISHWASHER TABS

This is another DIY that I haven't tried yet but really want to.  These DIY dishwasher tabs look so easy to make, too.

What do you think is the best natural cleaning product?  Have you made any of these recipes?

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