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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
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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.
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Shake the soap dispenser before using, then squirt a small amount on your hands as needed, rinsing with water.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
You don't have to use the essential oils. You're welcome to skip the essential oils or experiment with other options (lemon, grapefruit, peppermint, etc.).
The oil and vitamin E are added to moisturize the skin. You're welcome to skip these ingredients. Any oil will work: olive oil, avocado oil, skincare oils, etc. The oil won't blend with the water, so you'll need to gently shake the soap before use.
Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from vegetable oils (olive, coconut, palm) and plant oils. There are several reasons why castile soap is awesome…
- 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.
When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly. If you don't have distilled water, use filtered water and use the soap quickly.
The “where to buy” links provide you with information on the products I use to make this soap and many other DIYs.
Wow. I love how easy this is. I have most of the ingredients at home already!
faganeatspaleo.blogspot.com
Yay, Jamie! I love how simple homemade products are, with just a few ingredients multiple creations are possible. Enjoy!!
Don’t you need a preservative since water is being added?
Hey Leigh, For long-term use, yes. An effective natural preservative can be very expensive and hard to find. Hand soap is usually something that is used very quickly, so I don’t add a preservative; rather, I usually stick with distilled water to reduce any potential issues. This recipe isn’t a product that should sit around for the long haul. If you won’t use as much soap as the recipe calls for in a short amount of time, then I recommend reducing the amounts.
Hi,
You mention several times not to let this “sit around for the long haul.” About how long is that? I used filtered water but may I shouldn’t have. Should I toss it after a month or after a week? Please clarify.
I also read that tea tree oil and lavender oil may not be safe for young boys as it increases estrogen and can can issues. Not sure, but wondering what else I could use to still make it a germ killer.
Thank you,
Blakely
Hey Blakely, For filtered water, I will do about two weeks. Here are my best tips for working with water based products: https://livesimply.me/2016/09/02/my-safety-tips-for-making-and-using-natural-products/. You could skip the essential oils and still have a great product, particularly when you’re scrubbing your hands with hot water.
Hi Kirstin,
If you were to use saline solution in the place of distilled water would this lengthen the shelf life of the soap?
Hey Daisy, I’m not sure.
Frankincense essential oil is a natural antibiotic.
Hello!
I really want to use your soap recipe. I love your ingredients. However, I want to make a foaming hand soap. Can this recipe be tweaked to be used with a foaming soap bottle? Sorry if this is a duplicate question, but for some reason, I’m not able to read all the comments.
Thanks!
Hey Cindy, Yes, you can use this recipe just use a foaming soap bottle instead. Enjoy!
hi! i can’t get mine to stay mixed. i literally need to mix it each time i use it. thoughts? i didn’t use vitamin E oil.. could that be the cause?
Hey Erin,
The water and Castile soap will separate, that’s 100% normal. Once you shake it, they should blend together so you can use the soap.
Couldn’t you try using the xanthan gum to keep the hand soap stable so you don’t need to shake it?
Hey Carol, You may need something more to keep everything together (emulsify the gum and ingredients). If you have some xantham gum available it might be worth playing around with a small amount.
Could you suggest another soap? We have coconut allergies.
Hey Angie, A concentrated castile soap made with olive oil would probably be the best option. I looked around online briefly and found this one on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Liquid-Castile-Soap-Unscented/dp/B00E78CFX6?th=1. It’s super expensive, but my guess is if this brand exists, there must be other options, too. There’s also this option: http://www.countryrosesoap.com/Organic_Castile_Liquid_Soap_p/lcso-32oz.htm. I recommend googling “olive oil castile soap” or “coconut free castile soap.” Hopefully there will be an affordable brand option. I’d love to hear what you find!
Make your own Castille soap and use only Olive oil…
https://livesimply.me/2014/09/02/diy-homemade-liquid-hand-soap/
I’ve recently learned that adding an emolsifier to EO helps it adhere to the base you’re working with (oil/water), by acting like a sort-of ‘glue’ for the two, keeping them together as opposed to the seperation that normally takes place with oil & water. Perhaps adding your EO’s to a Tbs or so of witch hazel may do the trick? There are online calculators that help to convert units as well as to input your EO’s so that you can be certain you’re following the correct usage guidlines with EO’s (1% dilution is recommended if children will be using the soap, I believe).
Thanks for the recipe & cute story about your dad ?
Hey Rebekah, Adding glycerin will also work in a similar way–add the glycerin and the EO, swirl it together, than add the remaining ingredients. I don’t add it to this recipe since castile soap is used versus just straight water. You definitely could.
I will be trying this recipe.
I sounds a better recipe than the one I made up.
Thanks Jamie!
Let us know how you like it!
LS Team.
I don’t mean this sarcastically, but as a real question. If you are using Dr. Bronner’s soap to make soap, why not just use Dr. Bronner’s for hand washing? Is it too concentrated and need to be diluted? Thanks.
Hey Holly, Not sarcastic at all :). Dr. Bronner’s is extremely concentrated which is one of the great beauties of this natural product, a little bit goes a long way. I buy a gallon at a time and it lasts months. With that gallon I’m able to make everything from body wash to hand soap and even laundry soap. Hope that helps :).
So, really, all you are doing is diluting the Dr. Bronner’s and then adding oils (nourishing and essential), correct?
Can you use other brands of castile soaps?
Correct, Janell! It’s that easy. Yes, you can use any brand of castile soap.
I live on a farm with access to well water. Lots of lime so we use a water softener for hot water. Should I purchase distilled for use in making your different soaps.
Hey Carla, Yes, I would use distilled water :).
For the nourishing oil, could I use olive oil?
Hey Krystal, Olive oil would work great!
Love the jar. Did you make it?
Hey Elizabeth, Thank you! I made the top (which I’m working on a tutorial for a later date) and the jar is a simple canning mason jar.
I love how the pump you added to the jelly jars. Such a cute idea! I can’t wait to try to make one myself.
Thank you, Marhia! Enjoy!!!
Hello,
Did you ever post instructions for the mason jar pump top?
I have searched the site and cannot find it.
Thanks
Hey Christine, We haven’t post the instructions/tutorial to this date. But here’s a similar method: http://lovegrowswild.com/2013/05/how-to-make-mason-jar-soap-dispensers/.
Hi! I just made this soap, and am wondering what can I add to make it anti-bacterial?
I didn’t have tea tree oil on hand when making it. I added Sweet Orange EO instead.
Thanks!