Making a two-ingredient hand soap, three if you count the water, is about as simple of a DIY as it gets. We have been making this homemade foaming hand soap for years, and it works great.
Why make your own hand soap? Well, with most people washing their hands at least 5 times a day, it’s important to understand the effects the ingredients soap can have on our bodies.
Washing hands is extremely important, but with the number of antibacterial soaps that are filled with harsh chemicals, it can often cause more harm than good. We use soap to get rid of germs. Right? But some of these conventional soaps also get rid of good bacteria that the body needs for optimal health.
To be clear, choosing between not washing the hands or using conventional soaps, always opt to wash the hands. But having your own homemade foaming hand soap in your house allows you to stay clean and sanitized without any unnecessary chemicals.
Several essential oils have antibacterial properties, and by using them in this hand soap, you can still have a soap with antibacterial properties just without the chemicals.
You can easily make your own hand sanitizer using these essential oils too!
Natural soap benefits
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. Studies reveal that chemicals can be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. So what we put on our bodies, whether its soaps, shampoos, lotions, or moisturizers, those ingredients, good or bad, are likely going to be entering our bloodstream.
So using a natural soap, especially a handmade soap, is going to have fewer ingredients, higher quality ingredients, often having less of a negative effect on the environment. And, of course, when making natural soap, you can ensure the components were ethically sourced from organic ingredients.
How to make foaming hand soap video tutorial
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How to make foaming hand soap
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup castile soap (I like to use Dr. Bronner’s unscented.)
10-15 drops of essential oil (I list my favorites below.)
Water
Foaming hand soap container (Here is the one I use.)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add castile soap and essential oils to the foaming soap dispenser.
- Top off with water, leaving about a 1/2″ open at the top.
- Secure nozzle
- Shake well
This soap is great for hand soap in the kitchen and bathrooms. It’s all-natural, smells great, and it works wonderfully!
Choosing the right pump
Soap dispensers come in all different shapes and sizes; wall-mounted, electric, you name, it’s available. When choosing the right soap dispenser, consider the amount of use it is going to get and where you want it placed. For example, if you don’t have a lot of vanity top space, consider getting a touchless wall-mounted dispenser.
If you have a spot for a soap dispenser, these work well and last forever! Just be sure when choosing the perfect soap dispenser that is capable of producing a foaming soap.
Essential oils for hand soap
I like to keep it simple when adding essential oils for hand soap. For bathroom soap, I’ll use 15 drops of lavender and in the kitchen, I’ll use 15 drops of lemon. Pick from any of the oils listed below, mix and match, then leave a comment on how you liked it.
LEMON
Lemon is my favorite, especially when making soap for the kitchen. It has a beautiful citrus aroma that makes me think clean. In addition, it has cleansing and purifying properties, making it perfect for getting your hands clean.
Learn more about lemon essential oil.
WILD ORANGE
Similar to lemon, wild orange also has cleansing and purifying properties. In addition, this essential oil also has immune-boosting properties and can be used to kill unwanted germs. I love the bright, refreshing scent of wild orange and lemon mixed!
Learn more about wild orange essential oil.
LAVENDER
Lavender is my favorite essential oil to use when I am making soap for the bathroom. It has cleansing properties and is excellent for sensitive skin. In addition, it gives off a calming and relaxing aroma that can promote overall calmness to the body. I like to use a very similar recipe, with lavender, for my kid’s body wash. Get the full recipe here.
Learn more about lavender essential oil.
MELALEUCA
Melaleuca (or tea tree) is a great essential oil to use for cleaning; it will cleanse the skin and purify the air. Adding melaleuca will make it a powerful cleansing and naturally antibacterial soap.
ON GUARD
On guard is a blend by doTERRA known as the protective blend. It is a blend of wild orange, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and eucalyptus. It is great at protecting the body against environmental threats and boosting the immune system. Adding this essential oil to the hand soap makes it cleansing, purifying and can support a healthy immune response.
Learn more about On guard essential oil.
CLICK HERE to purchase any of the oils listed above!
Other homemade products that might be worth a gander
PIN IT FOR LATER
Foaming Hand Soap
Natural and organic foaming hand soap naturally scented with lavender essential oil.
Materials
Instructions
- Add Castile soap, then lavender to the dispenser.
- Fill to 1/2" from the top with water.
- Secure nozzle.
- Shake well.
Christina says
Love this recipe, thanks for posting it! Quick question: how much is this supposed to make? Like if I want to use a 16 oz jar to make a large batch to pour into my dispensers, would it still be 1/4 cup of soap or would it need to be more?
Laura says
My jars are 12-ounces so I would put a little more in!
Erin says
Could this soap be made and put in a regular soap dispenser? If so, would any modifications need to be made to the recipe? Thank you 🙂
Laura says
It will be very liquidly if not in a foaming container.
Brenda Callan says
I love this hand soap , thank you !
Laura says
You’re welcome!
Abbey says
I just made this and it works well!! Thank you so much!!
Jessica says
I made my own hand soap for the first time this past weekend and make it with Wild Orange–I just love the fresh scent of it! I let my nephews pick which oil they wanted to use and that made it even more fun 🙂
Laura says
That sounds great! I am glad you like it!
Diana says
Hello!
Is there a way to make this a little more think?
Thank you
Laura says
Add in one tablespoon vegetable glycerin.
Praj says
Loved this soap recipe for the kitchen I made not long ago but Is it antibacterial to wash off germs of my hands after handling meat?
Thanks
Laura says
Yes as long as you add in an essential oil with those properties. I suggest using lemon or lavender.
Shannon Sibbald says
How long would this last?
Nicola Buckley says
Hi made this for my Mum since using it she said her hands were getting dry can I add some vitamin e to this.
Laura says
Yes, you can!
Deborah Billman says
Hi,
I just had a slight comment about shaking well. Whenever I want foaming soap in my jars I put a 1 to 4 ratio. 1 part liquid clear soap and 4 parts water (this is not a home made recipe just any liquid soap) my point here is, I do not SHAKE, I simply roll the jar around in my hand or turn it upside down gently up and down, no shaking because it causes so many bubbles that it takes forever to get to that nice soft fluffy foam. just an fyi.
Heather says
How much Vitamin E?
Laura says
I just do 3-5 drops.
Heather says
Every time I have used Castile soap it dries my hands I’ve tried adding vitamin E to the hand soap but I still end up with very dry hands. Any recommendations or a way to help this? I want so bad to keep trying your DIY’s I love them all so far that I’ve tried but I’m stumped with how much Castile soap dries me out