Soaps and detergents are an important part of our daily cleansing rituals for both our own bodies and homes.
There are of course many kinds of soap, detergent, and related products for lots of different purposes.
Ranging from cooking, bathing, washing clothes and utensils to even cleaning glasses and mirrors.
Would it surprise you to learn that many of these soapy and detergent products can be made by using just grated soap?
Let’s take a look at some of our favorite grated soap recipes below.
Grated soap recipes.
- Foamy hand soap – uses 1 cup of grated soap
- Liquid gel soap – requires glycerin
- Hand-wash delicate fabrics – perfect for lingerie and swimwear
- All-purpose cleaner – uses just 1 tablespoon of grated soap
- Scrubbing cleanser – add 3 drops of Rosemary or Eucalyptus
- Dish soap – works like regular dish soap
- Soap pouch – use 3 drops of Bergamot for a citrus burst
- Powder laundry soap – uses washing soda for cutting grease
- Liquid shampoo – use your smallest grater
Before we get started with some grated soap recipes, I’ve added in some essential oil suggestions to add to your soapy creations!
From Dark Spruce, Rosemary, and Tea Tree right through to floral and Citrus scents such as Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Bergamot, Lemon, Sweet Orange, and zingy Lime!
Essential oils fragrance, anti-bacterial, and also mood-elevating properties are perfect to help you on cleaning day, in the bath, or shower and every time you wash your hands.
So how do you make grated soap? Let’s find out and then hit some recipes.
How do you make grated soap?
Grated soap recipes are a great way of using up leftover pieces of soap. Grated soap can be substituted in any recipe for soap flakes. One average size soap bar will make around 1cup or 225g of soap flakes.
To make grated soap make sure you use the finest grater you have so that the flakes are finer and will melt more easily under the warm water.
It might help to cut the soap into smaller chunks first.
One average size soap bar will make around 1cup or 225g of soap flakes.
So now we are loaded with soap flakes, let’s get going with some grated soap recipes! Foamy hand soap
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup grated soap
- 1-gallon water (distilled water works best)
- Add a couple of drops of essential oil ( I love peppermint, lemon, or sweet orange)
Dissolve these ingredients in half a cup of boiling water and keep mixing them until the grated soap has dissolved and it’s clear.
Once the soap is clear, add the remaining water at room temperature and mix well.
Liquid gel soap
What you’ll need:
- 2 cups of grated soap
- 2 liters water (which is 8 cups)
- 2 Tablespoons of glycerin
- 3 – 5 drops of your favorite essential oil. ( I like to use Teatree, or Peppermint for a hand gel and Lavender to use for your face)
Add all these ingredients into a large pot and start to melt them at low heat.
While heating, make sure to stir occasionally until the grated soap is completely dissolved and the bottom doesn’t burn the soap.
Once dissolved, let it cool and transfer the liquid to any container.
This makes a great gel soap for hands, body, or even your face..
Hand-wash delicate fabrics
What you’ll need:
- 1-2 Tablespoons of grated soap
- A large tub of water
- Add 3 drops of your favorite essential oils
Dissolve the grated soap in some boiling water first.
Once the grated soap is dissolved and the water looks clear, add this solution to the large tub of water and mix.
This grated soap recipe is perfect to wash delicate garments and fabrics such as swimsuits, workout clothes, undergarments, and lingerie.
One of my favorite oils to use in my lingerie wash is geranium. Find out more about this beautiful floral essential oil. Head over to discover the power of geranium oil and 30 blend recipes
All-purpose cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1 Tablespoon of grated soap
- 1-liter water (distilled water works best)
- 3 – 5 tablespoons of essential oils such as Cedarwood. Teatree, Peppermint, Sweet orange or Lime
Orange is such a versatile oil and brings a beautiful citrus burst to cleaning day. Pop over to discover beautiful fall and holiday season diffuser blends, and many other ways to use fresh, vibrant orange oil.
Dissolve the grated soap in some water and bring it to a boil until the soap is dissolved and the water is clear.
Then add this solution to the remaining water and mix well.
Transfer into a spray bottle for easy use.
This works as a great cleaner for any kitchen or bathroom surface. If you would like some extra scrubbing reaction from this liquid, sprinkle some baking soda in cleaning and then spray the liquid and scrub.
Do of course be careful of scrubbing too hard on any delicate surfaces.
Scrubbing cleanser
Having a natural plant-based scrubbing cleanser means no chemical nasties! check out another of my best grated soap recipes below.
What you’ll need:
- Grated soap
- Water
- Baking soda
- 3 drops of your favorite essential oil. I like to use Rosemary or Eucalyptus
These ingredients should be added in equal portions. So if you use one cup of grated soap, then it should be followed by 1 cup of water and 1 cup of baking soda.
First, bring the water to a boil and then add the grated soap.
Once the liquid is cool add the baking soda and give it a good whisk.
Whisk until the liquid forms a fluffy texture. This makes great use to clean dirty or grimy surfaces that need a good scrub.
Eucalyptus has so many amazing benefits along with its botanical ”mountain air’ aroma! find out some of my favorite eucalyptus diffuser blends.
Dish soap
One of my favorite grated soap recipes is simple dish soap.
What you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup grated soap
- 2 cups of hot water
- 1/4 cup glycerin
- 1/2 teaspoon essential oil (any citrus oils will work beautifully here, Orange, Lemon, or my favorite, Lime!)
Combine the grated soap and hot water in a bowl and mix well until well combined and dissolved. Allow this mixture to cool down, until lukewarm consistency.
Then add the glycerin and essential oil. When this mixture cools down, it will form a gel consistency. At this point make sure to stir up to break up the gel. After breaking up the gel texture, pour the liquid into an empty dish soap bottle. This works just like regular dish soap.
Soap pouch
What you’ll need:
- Grated soap
- Small pouch (for this use a tiny cloth material like organza or cheesecloth and tie it up to make a pouch)
- To give your grated soap pouch a little uplifting fragrance, try grapefruit for a morning shower, Lavender for the evening, and a citrusy one for cleaning, Bergamot is my favorite!)
Add the grated soap to the pouch made and tie it up well
To use this, wet the pouch and then use it for bath/shower and for even cleaning surfaces like windows, walls, and so on.
After using make sure to rinse the pouch well.
Powder laundry soap
For anyone looking for amazing essential oil grated soap recipes, find out how to make a super fresh powder laundry soap to bring a touch of natural fragrance to laundry day!
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup grated soap (for cleaning)
- 1 cup baking soda (for freshening)
- 1 cup washing soda (for cutting grease)
- 1 cup borax (for brightening)
- 3 – 5 drops of your favorite essential oil. I like to use a floral one here, such as Ylang Ylang, Geranium, or Rose
Mix all these ingredients and store in an airtight container.
Use about 1-2 tablespoons for a front loader, and about ¼ cup to ½ cup for a top loader.
Also before adding to the washbasin, make sure to dissolve in hot water.
This is a basic recipe and any of these ingredients can be adjusted according to your preference and power expected.
Ylang-ylang blends so beautifully with lots of other oils, its delicate floral scent works well with classic lavender to bring a touch of springtime to your washday! pop by and discover a little more about how to mix lavender and ylang ylang
Liquid shampoo
What you’ll need:
- One bar of grated soap
- Water just enough to dissolve all the grated soap
- 3 drops of your favorite essential oil. Once again, floral ones work well here such as Jasmine.
Add the grated soap into the water (make sure the water has completely covered the grated soap).
Let this water sit overnight covered with a cloth and leave to stand for 24 hours.
The next day, stir the mixture and check the consistency.
If it’s too thick, add water if necessary
And finally…
I hope you’ve enjoyed some grated soap recipes to bring a touch of DIY to your cleaning and bathing rituals!
Don’t forget, when using essential oils ensure they are always diluted in water, a carrier oil (such as sweet almond oil or jojoba oil), or in your grated soap recipe cleaning product. Remember, anything that comes in a concentrated form is extremely potent, and most essential oils should never be used directly on the skin.
Please pop by my other articles! find out why you need a lava bracelet, how much oil to use in a diffuser, and even find out my special curated list of best essential oils to boost your immune system!
