After-Gardening Hand Soak

This gentle hand soak is an easy way to turn the post-gardening clean-up into a small ritual. A cloth sachet keeps the oats and herbs out of the drain.

Ingredients

• 2 cups comfortably warm water
• 1 tablespoon rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon dried calendula petals
• 1 teaspoon gentle liquid soap, optional
• 1 small muslin bag or clean cotton cloth

Method

1. Place the oats and calendula into the muslin bag and tie securely.
2. Add the warm water to a clean bowl and place the sachet in the water.
3. Allow it to steep for 2 minutes. Add the liquid soap if your hands are particularly dusty.
4. Soak hands for about 5 minutes, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
5. Empty and wash the sachet. Compost the plant material if suitable.

Good to know

Use a soft nail brush separately if soil remains around the nails, taking care not to scrub the skin harshly.

Safety: For external use only. Do not use on cuts or irritated skin. Stop if irritation occurs.