Homestead Revival: Sizzling Summer Round Up: Mountain Rose Herbs!

I'm so pleased to be representing Mountain Rose Herbs today for the Sizzling Summer Round up! Since 1987, Mountain Rose Herbs has been known for its uncompromising commitment to organic agriculture, sustainable business practices, and a steadfast focus on the pure aesthetics and freshness of botanical products. They have a wide range of certified organic product offerings... bulk herbs and spices, aromatherapy and essential oils, tea and tea supplies, and natural health and body care. Every aspect of product creation is carried out in accordance with strict quality control and organic handling procedures, which is important when making herbal remedies or anything else that will be absorbed into the body!

And did you know that any student taking a Vintage Remedies course receives a discount from Mountain Rose Herbs? An excellent endorsement on their behalf if you ask me! Their products really are THAT good. I just made my BEST batch of liquid hand soap using all their ingredients and I was floored by how well this turned out! It was rich, creamy, and didn't separate. And did I mention it smelled sooo good! I'll definitely be using more of their products.

You can view my original post on liquid hand soap HERE, but I want to note a few things in this post that I've learned and corrected since then which I mention below.

Mountain Rose Herbs Liquid Hand Soap

7-8 oz. of Oregon Soap Company Bar Soap, grated (I chose the Tangerine scent; two bars should do)
2 T. Mountain Rose Herbs vegetable glycerine
1/2 - 1 gallon of water (Or less! See note below in recipe)
favorite Mountain Rose Herbs essential oils (I used Tangerine to compliment the bar soap and enhance the aroma)

You may wish to use distilled water if you're concerned about the water contaminating the ingredients and introducing bacteria into the soap. I found it worked really well in general.

Before beginning, please note that you will need to adjust the soap and water ratios accordingly since every bar of soap differs in ingredients. It's best to err on the side of less water because you can always add more. The first time I made liquid handsoap, I used too much water and later I had to go back and add more soap. It's much easier to make it a bit thick and add more water!

Place about 1/2 gallon of water in a large pot and begin to heat it on medium-high. Add the 2 T. of glycerine and the grated soap to the pot and stir. As it warms it may get a bit bubbly.

Continue to stir until all the bits of soap have dissolved. Then turn off the heat. Stir in several drops of your favorite essential oil if the soap is not scented or you want to enhance the smell even more (you want your hand soap to smell nice!)

Let it sit over night or for about 10-12 hours, not just till it is cool to the touch. It will continue to thicken even after it is cooler. If it's too runny, grate another bar, gently re-heat, and add more soap. If it's too thick, you can gently re-heat and add more water. The consistency is up to you! When it's to your liking, just pour it in a half gallon mason jar or your soap dispensers!

How about a couple of cleaning supplies to compliment your hand soap? You can use the same essential oils to make some great products! Hostess with the Mostess featured a wonderful post complete with labels (and a candle, too!). Here's what you'll need...

Tangerine Mint Counter Cleaner

3/4 C. white distilled vinegar
3/4 C. distilled water
1/2 tsp. liquid dish soap
10 drops of tangerine essential oil
5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil (your preference)

Combine ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. And shake before using. I repurposed mine, added labels from Hostess with the Mostess, and ta-da... counter cleaner! Here's one for window spray...

Tangerine Mine Window Cleaner

3/4 C. white distilled vinegar
3/4 C. distilled water
1/4 C. rubbing alcohol

1/2 tsp. liquid dish soap
3 drops of tangerine essential oil
3 drops of peppermint essential oil (or a bit less - I find the peppermint can overpower the tangerine just a bit)

Again, just combine ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. Shake before use.

How would you like to win some ingredients to make all this? Mountain Rose Herbs is giving all the items you see in the photo below to one very blessed Homestead Revival reader!

• 16 oz. of vegetable glycerine
• 3 bars of Oregon Soap Company Bar Soap
• 2 essential oils

How To Enter This Give-Away
This give-away is open to residents of the United States only.

• Leave a comment telling me the Mountain Rose Herbs item you'd like to try OR a product of theirs you already use. You MUST have a blog OR leave me a way to contact you!

• For an extra entry, LIKE Mountain Rose Herb's facebook page and leave a separate comment telling me you've done so.

• For another extra entry... blog, Facebook, or tweet about this giveaway and leave me a comment telling me you've done so.

This give-away ends at 11:59 p.m. PST TONIGHT!! The winner will be announced on the Homestead Revival Facebook page ONLY. Be sure to like my page so you get all the winners from the Sizzling Summer Round Up as well as updates that I don't put on my blog!