This content was originally published on OldHouseOnline.com and has been republished here as part of a merger between our two businesses. All copy is presented here as it originally appeared there.
Who doesn’t love a good DIY project? It saves you money, and you can customize the outcome to suit your preferences. This fact is especially accurate when it comes to homemade foaming hand soap. Making your soap is easy and economical, and you can customize the scent and even the type of soap. You can use it to wash dishes as well.
In this post, we’ll go over all the steps you need to know to make foaming hand soap that’s also great for washing dishes. You’ll learn about the ingredients you need, how to mix them, and the proper techniques to get the best results. You’ll also find ideas on how to customize the soap to make it your own.
Gather Supplies
Before you start, you’ll need to gather all of your supplies. You’ll need liquid castile soap, water, vegetable glycerin, an essential oil of your choice, and a foaming soap dispenser. You can find an essential oil in any scent, ensuring it’s safe for contact with food surfaces.
Prepare Soap Base
Mix the cup of liquid castile soap and the cup of water in a bowl or pitcher. The water will help thin out the soap, so it is easier for the pump to dispense. Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance. Popular essential oils include lavender, lemon grass, and peppermint oil. Be sure not to add too much essential oil, as it may be too strong and overpowering in smell and flavor.
Add To Foaming Soap Dispenser
Pour the mixture into the foaming dish soap dispenser and attach the lid securely. Each pump on your dispenser will then dispense an appropriate amount of foam soap when you need it. You can refill your dispenser as it runs out.
Refill Container
As you use your foam soap, simply refill the container with more liquid castile soap and water as needed or with additional essential oils. You can change the scent with the passing seasons. This technique is a convenient way to always have enough foam hand soap available in any size container.
Using Your Soap
To use the foam hand soap, simply press down on the pump until you get enough foam in your hands, and then lather it onto your skin as normal. Rinse off with warm water and proceed with drying off with a towel or air drying with air dryers if available.
Using Soap for Dishes
To use this type of foam hand soap on dishes, simply pour some onto a sponge or cloth and lather onto dirty dishes as usual, as if using regular dish soap from a bottle or box form. Avoid using soap with essential oils in it, as this can damage some materials. Rinse your dishes with warm water before drying them. You can use vinegar and water solution with soapy water rinses for an extra clean. This additional step can remove stubborn grease and other stains.
Making your foaming hand soap can be a great way to save money and reduce your environmental impact along the way. It is easy to make and use as a hand soap and for dishes. With just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can create a homemade foaming soap that’s perfect for your hands and dishes. Give this DIY project a shot, and you won’t regret it.
