Soap rocks are not only beautiful, they are gentle on the skin. They often contain skin-enriching herbs and vitamins like vitamin E, olive oil, jojoba oil and coconut. Soap rocks often imitate the look of semi-precious and precious stones. They make interesting conversation pieces and stunning bathroom or kitchen décor. Best of all, they last a long time and are totally biodegradable.
Scented soap stones
Bring 1 ½ cups of distilled water to a rolling boil. In a bowl, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour with ½ cup of rock salt and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Blend together thoroughly. Add a few drops of essential oil into the boiling water. Then slowly add the water to the dry mixture until a firm consistency is achieved while blending. Add one or more food colors, mixing it throughout the soap for even color or letting it form color striations.
Divide the mixture into small sections, working them into uneven balls with your hands. Lightly pat down each ball to more closely resemble river stone. Place the soap on parchment to dry. If desired, paint uplifting words like "hope," favorite sayings like "a smile is a frown turned upside down," or Chinese symbols of choice on top of each stone.
Unscented rock soap
Bring 1 cup of water to boil. In a bowl, blend 3 cups of flour with ½ cup of salt and 1 tablespoon of alum. In another bowl, mix 1/8 cup of cocoa butter, 1/8 cup of shea butter, 1/8 cup of coconut butter, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil. Blend together thoroughly. Add food coloring for full color distribution or color striations. Slowly add the dry mixture into the butter mixture until the soap begins to stiffen. Then add just enough boiling water to bring it to a firm ball stage.
On a pastry mat, knead the soap to an even texture. Roll it out, leaving it at least 1 to 3 inches in depth. Cut out uneven shapes to resemble rock. Lay them on parchment to dry. They are ready once they become hard.
Gemstone rock soap
To make beautiful gemstone-looking rock soap, begin with pre-made soaps of different colors and textures. Heat each in the microwave for about 30 seconds. While it is soft, cut it into pieces. Mix and match various soap colors and textures together to create a new blend. Heat in the microwave for approximately one minute. Add fragrant oil, if desired. Pour ice water over the heated soap blend. As it begins to cool, break it into sections that resemble rock. Use food coloring to add striations of color. Place on parchment to dry.
Tags: rock soap, Blend together, Blend together thoroughly, boil bowl, boiling water, color striations, colors textures