Learned To Make Liquid Soap & Disinfectant Spray Out Of Necessity

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

SF VIP
Location
New Jersey
They say "Necessity is the mother of invention" When the pandemic really hit things like rubbing alcohol, disinfectant spray and even hand soap were either out of stock or in short supply. I couldn't find the hand soap I buy at Walmart, Equate Milk & Honey, either online or in the store. I also couldn't find their brand Great Value citrus scented disinfectant spray. So I decided to make my own. There are several videos on You Tube about how to do it but I simplified the process and it works for me. I used to sell all natural handmade soaps from a company that was based in Chicago and I have several bars left. The soaps are soft enough to cut into slivers, instead of grating like in the videos. Here's my recipe:
~Cut a large bar (about 1-1/2" x 3")
~Boil in a 2 qt. saucepan for about an hour, stirring a couple of times. Once a full boil starts, reduce heat to a simmer.
~The liquid will be thin at first. Let it sit for 10 - 12 hours and you will find it has thickened to a lard-like consistency.
~Use a hand mixer or a blender to get the lumps out and soften the mixture. I find I have to wind up adding more water. That can be done while mixing and even after pouring in containers. Here's a picture of what 3/4 of the large bar yielded the first time I made the soap. I didn't even use a mixer just the spoon.
~I added a few drops of dish detergent to the last batch I made because I do like to see suds and the batch before that was not sudsy enough. If you're using regular bar soap, that step may be unnecessary.

Liquid Soap Making.jpg

To make the disinfectant spray, I simply mix equal parts of Lysol diluted with water to remain at disinfectant strength and either rubbing alcohol or peroxide. Then I add a couple of drops of orange oil. Never mix alcohol with peroxide.
@Ruthanne
 

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Keesha said:
Congratulations. That’s quite an ambitious project to undertake. Good for you.
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Thank you Keesha. Making the soap is easier than it sounds and certainly easier than some of the steps in videos I watched. Same with the disinfectant spray. I make 1/2 gallon of the Lysol at diluted strength and keep it for various uses around the house. So all I have to do is pour some of that into a smaller spray bottle and add the other ingredients.
 

OneEyedDiva said:
Thank you Keesha. Making the soap is easier than it sounds and certainly easier than some of the steps in videos I watched. Same with the disinfectant spray. I make 1/2 gallon of the Lysol at diluted strength and keep it for various uses around the house. So all I have to do is pour some of that into a smaller spray bottle and add the other ingredients.
Click to expand...
You know, I’ve always wanted to make soap. I often purchase handmade all natural soaps from the health food stores or organic sections at the supermarkets. One day I’m going to make some.
Did you add lye to yours?
 
Keesha said:
You know, I’ve always wanted to make soap. I often purchase handmade all natural soaps from the health food stores or organic sections at the supermarkets. One day I’m going to make some.
Did you add lye to yours?
Click to expand...
Heavens no! I started on video that the man was saying wear protective gloves and coverings to protect yourself. I wondered why while simultaneously thinking that I don't need to be making any soap that I need protection from it's ingredients. What's the purpose of adding lye? When you do make the soap, share the recipe you used and let us know how it comes out. :)
 
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OneEyedDiva said:
They say "Necessity is the mother of invention" When the pandemic really hit things like rubbing alcohol, disinfectant spray and even hand soap were either out of stock or in short supply. I couldn't find the hand soap I buy at Walmart, Equate Milk & Honey, either online or in the store. I also couldn't find their brand Great Value citrus scented disinfectant spray. So I decided to make my own. There are several videos on You Tube about how to do it but I simplified the process and it works for me. I used to sell all natural handmade soaps from a company that was based in Chicago and I have several bars left. The soaps are soft enough to cut into slivers, instead of grating like in the videos. Here's my recipe:
~Cut a large bar (about 1-1/2" x 3")
~Boil in a 2 qt. saucepan for about an hour, stirring a couple of times. Once a full boil starts, reduce heat to a simmer.
~The liquid will be thin at first. Let it sit for 10 - 12 hours and you will find it has thickened to a lard-like consistency.
~Use a hand mixer or a blender to get the lumps out and soften the mixture. I find I have to wind up adding more water. That can be done while mixing and even after pouring in containers. Here's a picture of what 3/4 of the large bar yielded the first time I made the soap. I didn't even use a mixer just the spoon.
~I added a few drops of dish detergent to the last batch I made because I do like to see suds and the batch before that was not sudsy enough. If you're using regular bar soap, that step may be unnecessary.

View attachment 145934

To make the disinfectant spray, I simply mix equal parts of Lysol diluted with water to remain at disinfectant strength and either rubbing alcohol or peroxide. Then I add a couple of drops of orange oil. Never mix alcohol with peroxide.
@Ruthanne
Click to expand...
You added *more* water...how much water did you start with?
 
Murrmurr said:
You added *more* water...how much water did you start with?
Click to expand...
Since I use a 2 quart pot I hadn't measured..just filled it. But since you're such a cutie, I just went and measured the water to Turns out it's a little more than 2 quarts, probably an extra 3 to 4 ounces. I don't fill it all the way to the very top. I really should be making the soap in a bigger pot using more water to start with but it would be too heavy and cumbersome for me to handle.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
Since I use a 2 quart pot I hadn't measured..just filled it. But since you're such a cutie, I just went and measured the water to Turns out it's a little more than 2 quarts, probably an extra 3 to 4 ounces. I don't fill it all the way to the very top. I really should be making the soap in a bigger pot using more water to start with but it would be too heavy and cumbersome for me to handle.
Click to expand...
Got it. Thanks, Miss Diva!
 
I had a friend years ago who would get her family together to make soap a couple of times a year and one day she roped me in. I thought wow, what a process, why not just buy it and not go through all this? 2020 happened, and I thought back to those days and now you Diva have jogged my memory, prepare to be able to do these things. I finally have been able to order my favorite lemon hand soap in a pump from bath and body works. I am unable to even attempt making my own since I live in a senior living community now. But good to know. I will try that disinfectant spray, however. Thank you.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
Heavens no! I started on video that the man was saying wear protective gloves and coverings to protect yourself. I wondered why while simultaneously thinking that I don't need to be making any soap that I need protection from it's ingredients. What's the purpose of adding lye? When you do make the soap, share the recipe you used and let us know how it comes out. :)
Click to expand...
That’s the part about people making regular soap that scares the heck out of me also. It’s also why I use the soaps from the health food stores. Lye is scary stuff. If I ever make soap I’ll share the process with you and guarantee it will be lye free.
 
Murrmurr said:
We hit a rough patch last week but I'm doing alright. Thanks for asking.
The care home where mom was living has accepted *partial* responsibility for her death. We're looking into whether they mean because they failed to notify us of her positive COVID test, or something deeper.
Click to expand...
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother murmur.
I only just discovered it in your thread this morning after reading this. 😔
 
Murrmurr said:
We hit a rough patch last week but I'm doing alright. Thanks for asking.
The care home where mom was living has accepted *partial* responsibility for her death. We're looking into whether they mean because they failed to notify us of her positive COVID test, or something deeper.
Click to expand...
Glad to read you are doing alright Murrmurr. I hope your family gets satisfaction and closure, whatever it takes, from the nursing home.
 
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