If a prize were to be given to the “world’s greatest dad,” I know just the man to win.
Okay, so maybe I’m a tad bit biased, but my father would certainly be a top qualifier. While not perfect (I’m sure he’ll agree), he’s the kind of man that makes the word “father” a warm, cozy feeling of nostalgic memories.
Growing up, my mom worked the weekends at the local hospital which meant my dad was on mommy/daddy duty every Saturday and Sunday. He did his very best to provide me with the weekend adventures every young girl dreams of: trips to Home Depot and the dump yard. (Seriously, I enjoyed every moment of our weekend trips.) And he always made Saturday mornings extra special with Bisquick pancakes and syrup (we didn’t know about real food just yet).
One of my most vivid memories of our weekends together will always be hand-washing. Silly, right? But, it’s true.
My dad was all about hand-washing! In the early 90’s little bottles of on-the-go soap weren’t available, but that didn’t stop my dad. Hand-washing was a habit he intended to instill in me. Along with flossing and brushing my teeth (probably due to his large investment in my pearly whites). Braces are not cheap, folks!
I still have happy thoughts when I look at a bottle of yellow Dial soap. Nostalgia!
Life is different from when I was five. I’ve learned pancake syrup isn’t real (sorry!), but maple syrup is pure heaven. I’ve also discovered pancakes can still be enjoyed every Saturday, made from a delicious homemade recipe versus a yellow box. Of course, with a switch to homemade, I’ve also discovered that orange soap is far from “healthy” or enjoyable (desert-dry hands anyone?).
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not all about natural perfection. But when a natural alternative is as easy as mixing a few simple ingredients in a jar and calling it a day, I’m all over it!
Homemade liquid hand soap is one of the simplest natural recipes you can make. In fact, it really doesn’t even need a recipe, but I’ll give you one. Homemade hand soap is a bit different in consistency (watery) from the orange thick soap my dad regularly squirted on my hands, but it does the job just the same, if not better.
So, suds up the kids and share the hand-washing love. My dad will thank you!
How to Make Homemade Hand Soap Video
DIY Liquid Hand Soap
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup castile soap liquid
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 1 TB vitamin E oil (optional)
- 1 TB sweet almond oil or olive oil or jojoba oil (optional)
- 15 drops tea tree essential oil optional
- 5-10 drops lavender essential oil optional
Instructions
- In a mason jar or recycled soap dispenser, add the water first (to prevent bubbles) then the liquid castile soap, followed by the oils. Shake the ingredients together.
- Shake the soap dispenser before using, then squirt a small amount on your hands as needed, rinsing with water.
Video
Notes
- Super Versatile: You can make cleaning and body products with the same soap.
- Inexpensive: A 32-ounce bottle of castile soap will cost $17. Yes, this is more expensive than a bottle of all-purpose cleaner, but it will last you for months! Castile soap is highly concentrated so a little bit goes a long way.
- Non-Toxic: Castile soap is made with easy to recognize, simple, non-toxic ingredients. This is why you can use it on your skin and the surfaces in your home.
The “where to buy” links provide you with information on the products I use to make this soap and many other DIYs.
Soap was very thin and would squirt out of dispenser, making a mess.
Need way to make thicker!
Hey Debbie, Yes, that’s the way it should be. You can make it thicker by using less water or a foaming hand dispenser.
your way of writing/stoytelling was meditation-like for me…embracing the process. the photo translates also.
Thank you. Enjoy the hand soap!
This recipe is for non foaming hand soap, correct?
Correct, Wendy. If you want foaming, you’ll need to use a foaming hand soap dispenser: https://livesimply.me/diy-foaming-hand-soap-homemade/
Heard about adding salt as a thickener for liquid soaps. Have you tried it yet? Like this recipe but need it to be a bit thicker.
Hey Annie, I haven’t tried adding salt to thicken it, but I know a few people in the comments have done that. It’s worth a shot. Maybe do a tiny test batch, then make more if it’s successful.
I’m wondering since the recipe uses water if adding a preservative would be needed like Optiphen? If yes, what is the recommended amount to add? If adding fractioned coconut to the recipe how much do you suggest adding? Thank you!
Hey Lenore, I use distilled water, which I recommend, and then only make a small enough batch so I have to remake the soap every couple of weeks. You could add a preservative, just go based on the recommended dosage on the preservative instructions. For the fractionated coconut oil, use the same amount of oil called for in the recipe.
Can this be put into a foaming hand soap pump bottle to make it foaming hand soap?
Hey Krista, Yes, it can! Here’s my tutorial for foaming hand soap: https://livesimply.me/diy-foaming-hand-soap-homemade/
I just finished making hand soap and used a recycled foaming soap dispenser. It worked great
Awesome, Melissa! Happy to hear that.
Hi I like this recipe it is watery and makes a mess with kids lol is there any tips or suggestions to make it not so watery
Thank you
Hey Darlene, Yes, you’ll want to use a foaming soap dispenser. Here’s how to do that: https://livesimply.me/diy-foaming-hand-soap-homemade/
Can I use coconut oil? You mentioned it can be watery, and coconut oil is thicker (and I know it’s good for the skin). Thanks!
Hey Naomi, No, I don’t recommend using coconut oil as it will have an awkward texture. You can use fractionated coconut oil which is always liquid.
Is it necessary to shake the bottle of soap before you use it everytime? or once all mixed…it stays mixed.
Hey Heather, It will not stay mixed. I usually need to mix every few days.
Hi! Can you use this recipe in a foaming bottle to make foam soap? Thanks for sharing!
Hey Emily, Yes, definitely. Here’s the post where I share about this: https://livesimply.me/diy-foaming-hand-soap-homemade/
Love this DIY Homemade Liquid Hand Soap, this DIY craft seems super amazing . Super excited to this homemade Liquid hand soap. Thanks for sharing with us