Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

Ditch the store-bought bottles and embark on a DIY adventure with this Homemade Liquid Hand Soap recipe, where simplicity meets cleanliness, creating a personalized and fragrant touch to your daily handwashing routine!

We are constantly using handsoap in our house. It seems like every week I am replacing the one in the bathroom and kitchen. Since I love the Bath and Body Works foaming handsoap this added up very fast.

So I switched to buying the large refill container but I could only find the foaming refill at Target. This too added up cost wise and so I figured I would try the dollar store.

Well it turned out to really dry out our hands so I was spending the saved money on lotion. Determined to find a way to have my foaming soap at a cheap price, I searched the internet and decided to make my own handsoap.

How to Make Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

I had saved 2 of my foaming soap dispensers so they were ready to be reused. The best part is that it only requires bar soap and water. I prefer scented soap so I used Yardley Lemon Verbena soap. The soap was on sale at Kroger for $1.00 each so the total cost to make this was $2.00 for 160 ounces of soap (approximately 20-8oz liquid bottles or 80 bottles of foaming) With Magic Marker, write the ingredients and a brief summary on the jug you will be using to store the soap. This way you will have it handy the next time you make it.

Ingredients for Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

• 2 full size bars of soap (I used Yardley Lemon Verbena Soap)
• 20 cups of water (divided into 2 sets of 10 cups each)

Step 1: Grate both bars of soap with a cheese grater.
Step 2: Bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Reduce to a rolling boil. (I was able to grate the soap while the water was coming to a boil.)
Step 3: Add the grated soap (which resembles shredded cheese) to the boiling. Slowly stir in the soap until it is all dissolved. Turn off burner (if you are using an electric stove – remove from heat.)
Step 4: Slowly stir in 10 cups of water to the mixture.
Step 5: Let cool. The mixture will thicken while cooling. (Approx. 6-8 hours)
Step 6: Once the mixture has thickened, blend with electric hand mixer till it is smooth.
Step 7: Pour in large jug/container to store. (I used a large Arizona Ice Tea Jug)

This filled up the Jug and 2 -14oz handsoap dispensers.

Uses

• Liquid Hand Soap: Pour as is into soap dispenser.
• Foaming Hand Soap: Use 1/4 cup of liquid to 3/4 cup water in the foaming hand soap dispenser.

If you are having problems when making liquid handsoap check out our post on How to Fix Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

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More Liquid Hand Soap Recipes

While store-bought options are readily available, creating your own liquid hand soap at home can be a rewarding and environmentally friendly alternative. Here are three simple and customizable recipes for making homemade liquid hand soap.

Basic Castile Liquid Hand Soap:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup liquid Castile soap
• 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
• 10-15 drops essential oil (e.g., tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus)
• 1 cup distilled water
• Foaming soap dispenser

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix liquid Castile soap and fractionated coconut oil.
2. Add your preferred essential oil for fragrance and antibacterial properties.
3. Slowly incorporate distilled water into the mixture, stirring gently.
4. Pour the soap mixture into a foaming soap dispenser.
5. Shake well before each use to maintain consistency.

Note: Adjust the essential oil quantity based on your desired fragrance strength.

Moisturizing Honey and Aloe Vera Hand Soap:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup liquid Castile soap
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 cup distilled water
• Pump dispenser bottle

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine liquid Castile soap, honey, aloe vera gel, and vitamin E oil.
2. Add lavender essential oil for a soothing scent.
3. Gradually pour in distilled water, stirring well to achieve a uniform consistency.
4. Transfer the mixture into a pump dispenser bottle.
5. Shake before use, and enjoy the nourishing benefits of honey and aloe vera.

Note: The vitamin E oil provides extra moisturization, making this recipe perfect for dry or sensitive skin.

Citrus Burst Antibacterial Hand Soap:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unscented liquid Castile soap
• 1 tablespoon witch hazel
• 20 drops tea tree essential oil
• 10 drops orange essential oil
• 1 cup distilled water
• Soap dispenser bottle

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix unscented liquid Castile soap and witch hazel.
2. Incorporate tea tree and orange essential oils for their antibacterial and invigorating properties.
3. Slowly add distilled water, stirring gently.
4. Transfer the mixture into a soap dispenser bottle.
5. Shake well before each use to blend the oils and soap.

Note: Tea tree oil is known for its antibacterial qualities, making this soap an excellent choice for cleansing hands thoroughly.

Tips for Success:

• Consistency: Achieving the right consistency is essential. Adjust the water content based on personal preference, making it thicker or more diluted as desired.
• Essential Oils: Experiment with different essential oils to create a scent that suits your preferences. Citrus oils, mint, and lavender are popular choices.
• Storage: Store your homemade liquid hand soap in a cool, dark place. Shake well before each use, especially if the mixture separates over time.
• Eco-Friendly Packaging: Consider using reusable and refillable soap dispensers to reduce plastic waste.

Creating your own liquid hand soap not only allows you to customize the fragrance and ingredients but also contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle. These recipes provide a foundation for crafting hand soaps that cater to your specific needs, ensuring clean, moisturized hands with each wash. Enjoy the satisfaction of making a product that promotes both personal and environmental well-being.

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