How to Make Old Fashioned Soap Balls
by Debbie Hainline

Description: Recipe and instructions for making soap balls from oatmeal.

Old fashioned soap balls can be created easily using either ivory or dove soap bars, they have the look and feel of old soap. For a more grungy looking soap ball roll them in spices such as cinnamon before they are completely set up. Caution: do not use if you do this, your skin may have allergic reaction to the spices--display only.

Ingredients:

1 cup of instant Quaker oatmeal
1 bar of ivory or dove soap
1/4 cup of water

Grind up the oatmeal in a food processor until finely milled but do not grind to flour, you want it chopped up enough to break up the oatmeal flakes but still be visible.

Grate the bar of soap into small slivers. Place the soap and water into a large microwavable bowl and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Stir the mixture once or twice making sure it does not bubble over.

When the soap is dissolved remove from the microwave and add the ground oatmeal slowly, stirring constantly.

Let cool enough to touch, then form into balls placing on wax paper to set and dry. It will take about 2 hours for them to set.

Oatmeal soap balls have a great old fashion look and can be displayed in old soap dishes, vintage jars, wooden bowls and baskets in primitive or country bathrooms or kitchens.

Reprinted with permission from Two Old Crows-American Folk Art and Antiques