Make Rose Soap Petals

The discovery of soap was one of the most important in human history. Just think about all the things that we use soap for, from keeping clothes and  dishes clean to sanitizing doctor's hands and keeping grubby kids clean.

Today we make some kinds of soap using lye (which is leached from ashes), oils and water, or we can buy ready made glycerin for our crafts. For this activity your child will use the ready made glycerin base to create elegant rose petal hand soaps - a far cry from the harsh lye soaps that humans started out with!

• Silk rose petals – available from a craft store or buy a silk rose and pull the petals off
• ½ Pound of glycerin soap base – available a most craft stores
• Soap fragrance – available at most craft stores
• Styrofoam – can use a large scrap piece or a takeout box or just about anything
• Toothpicks
• Craft sticks
• Pyrex measuring cup
• Microwave

1. Cut the soap base into 1 inch cubes, about 1 cup's worth, and place them into the Pyrex measuring cup.
2. Take 10 or 20 petals and put a toothpick through the base of each one of them.  You will use the toothpick as a handle so leave it in the petal.  Set these aside.
3. Place the soap in the microwave and heat it for 30 second intervals.  Stir with a craft stick in between.  It is very important that you only heat it for 30 seconds at a time.  Do this until it is melted and remove from the microwave.
4. Quickly add 2-3 drops of fragrance and stir.
5. Dip each petal into the soap and then stick the other end of the toothpick into the styrofoam so that the petal can dry.   If your soap cools, you can heat it at 30 second intervals again.
6. When the petals have cooled and are dried you can remove the toothpicks. Store the petals in an airtight glass jar for long term storage. You can package several in a plastic bag with a ribbon for a gift. They also make great individual soaps for kids. Simply toss the rose petal away when you are done.

Did You Know?