Make Your Own Soap Crayons

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

17 Jul 2008 03:22 PM

For a little fun in the tub for your little ones, consider making your own soap crayons. They are fun to use, easy to clean up, and they won't break the bank. I made mine out of extra ingredients that I wasn't using. Read below to find out how you can make your own.

To make soap crayons, you will first need some soap, or in this case, powdered laundry detergent. I used some Ivory Snow that was given to me. This detergent is very gentle without any harsh additives, so I was confident that it wouldn't irritate my children's skin. I had been given boxes and boxes of Ivory Snow. Some I gave away to my in laws, but I did keep a few for myself. I used some of it to wash clothes when my children were small, but I found that it didn't clean as well in cold water as another, stronger detergent. The soap crayons are a great use of the detergent. You can still find Ivory Snow at the supermarket, and it is inexpensive.

Take one cup on the laundry soap (a measuring cup, not the scoop that may come with the detergent) and add about 30 drops of food coloring. Next, use a teaspoon to add water. Use as many teaspoonfuls, one at a time until the soap dissolves into a liquid. Stir the mixture well. Then pack it well into an ice cube tray, soap mold or other type of mold. Set it out in a warm dry (sunny) spot for at least two days. Once the crayons are hard, release them from the molds. Voila.

The crayons can then be used to write in the tub. They will rinse off with water and a gently swipe, just like the store-bought ones. Try them in the kiddie pool or for writing on the driveway, too.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Tashi (1013) 20 Jul 2008 09:04 AM

That sounds like such a fabulous idea! Thanks! I might make some for my nieces and nephews, and for kids of friends. :-) What a super idea for gifts, especially if I can find neat molds to use.

Mary Ann Romans (26791) 21 Jul 2008 12:33 PM

Look for muffin tins and cookie tins in the thrift stores. There are some neat shapes in some of those.