How To Make Herbal Flea Soap For Your Dog

by JoLynn | More from this Blogger

22 Feb 2006 06:17 AM

Flea season is coming and if you don't like the idea of dousing your favorite furry companion in poisonous powders and using harsh soaps, here is a great alternative that works for most people.

This herbal soap combines the natural flea repelling properties of eucalyptus, pennyroyal, and citronella to help keep those pesky critters from driving your dog insane over those summer months.

Grate 1 cup of castile soap into a large glass measuring cup. Then add 1/2 cup of water.

Melt the soap by setting the measuring cup in a saucepan filled with 2 inches of water, and set the burner at a medium heat. You want the pan water to come to a solid simmer, and keep it there. Use a wooden spoon to gently stir and break up soap chunks throughout the process.

Your soap will go through three stages:

Chunky- Keep trying to break up the large chunks as they begin to soften.

Wet and lumpy- The soap is melting nicely so keep stirring slowly to incorporate the water.

Lumpy pudding- This stage is where you need to be before you can begin adding other ingredients.

Once you reach the lumpy pudding stage, remove the soap from the heat and stir in:

1 Tbsp. crushed dry pennyroyal leaves 15 drops Citronella oil 10 drops eucalyptus oil

At this point you can spoon the soap mixture into soap molds just like it is for a regular bar, or if you prefer, you can whip it with an electric mixer until it is almost double in volume and then spoon it into the molds. Whipping creates a floating bar. Remember to work quickly because the soap will cool and harden.

Once the bars have cooled you can remove them from the molds and let them dry on a baking rack for about 3 weeks before the soap is ready to use. Package the bars in zip-loc bags.

Learn more about JoLynn

Somewhere between being a mom to my 2 fabulous kids, I find time to create art and write. I enjoy stretching a dollar to its limit and was a faithful reader of the Tightwad's Gazette for years.

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Aimee Amodio (12040) 22 Feb 2006 03:55 PM

What a neat recipe! I'm going to have to try it... I've always wanted to give soapmaking a try.

One word of caution... pennyroyal can be dangerous for people (though not for pets) so be careful with any leftovers! (Pennyroyal essential oil is more dangerous than the leaves or tea.)