Have you ever done the castile soap squint? You know, the face you make when you try to get some liquid castile soap out of a hand pump, only it squirts you in the eye instead? I LOVE castile soap for so many reasons. It’s gentle enough to be used in homemade body wash, yet powerful enough to make sinks, counters and tubs shine. Unlike most hand soaps that contain hormone disrupting chemicals, it’s made with simple, wholesome ingredients. But oh, the castile soap squint. Undiluted castile soap easily clogs soap dispensers, so I’ve done it more often than I’d like to admit.
Diluted, on the other hand, well that’s another story! In general, I avoid using water in my DIY recipes because it increases vulnerability to spoilage. However, in a moment of squinty-eyed desperation awhile back I emailed the lovely people at Dr. Bronner’s and asked if they could recommend some guidelines for safely using their product in a foaming hand soap recipe.
They suggested using at least 1 part soap to 4 parts water, and using the mixture within a month, but I found that 2 parts soap to 4 parts water created the consistency I preferred. (More soap is better in terms of shelf life, which appealed to me as well.)
I’m happy to report that thanks to this recipe I haven’t squinted weirdly at anyone in a long time, and my bathroom counters/walls are cleaner now that globs of undiluted castile soap don’t randomly fling through the air. And because I’m using the guidelines recommended by Dr. Bronner’s, I’m super comfortable making this for my family.
How To Make Foaming Hand Soap
This recipe makes 8 fluid ounces. You can cut the recipe in half (or double it!) as needed.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup liquid castile soap (I used Dr. Bronners unscented)
- 24 drops rosemary or tea tree essential oil, optional*
*Although rosemary essential oil is not generally recommended for use with children (see a list of oils that are considered appropriate here), since soap is a “wash off” product and the concentration is incredibly low, it’s fine. (Source: Lea Harris, clinical aromatherapist and the founder of Using Essential Oils Safely and the Using Essential Oils Safely community on Facebook.)
Instructions
Add the essential oil to the castile soap and stir together. Though essential oils don’t mix with water, they do in soap so by adding them first you’re ensuring that the oil is well distributed throughout. Once the oils are stirred in, add the water and pour the liquid into a clean foaming hand soap container. (I used this one. It holds about 16 ounces, so I double the recipe above.)
Use within one month.
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I’ve been making this soap for a few years…however, I always use distilled water….not sure if that makes a difference in your concern of spoilage. Thanks for the tip on adding the oil to the soap first…I’ve always added it last, and never been fully satisfied with the mix.
I have done this with Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap for a long time, but the soap was thin and airy coming out of the dispenser. I found that adding some liquid glycerin makes a denser and fuller lather.
Have you tried Sal suds, also by Dr Bronner? I was using their castile soap(still do for laundry) but now I use Sal suds for all my cleaning needs. While castile soap is good for body products, Sal suds isn’t(too drying). I highly recommend checking out SS if you haven’t already. Works perfect in my foaming soap dispenser.
How would you know if your diluted soap spoiled?
Well, just like with food you make and store in the fridge for later, sometimes you can tell using your senses and sometimes you can’t. That’s why it’s important to consume or use a food/product within a reasonable timeframe.
What is reasonable timeframe (before they spoil) for this recipe if I use distilled water?
Thanks
I have used a mixture of one part Lavender Castile soap, one part water, and one part sunflower oil for many years, it makes a very luxurious handsoap that keeps hands supple. It never hardens on the dispenser either.
This sounds very lovely
Hi Sarah, this sounds great. Can you provide more info? How to?
Thanks so much. Donna
must try next time i mix some! sounds great – but how long does the oil hold in this mix (in a clear container)?
What kind of soap dispenser do you use? The foaming kind or the non-foaming? I’m trying to decide which one is less likely to clog.
Has anyone used this as a body soap for showering?
Can you recommend an organic good quality soap, shampoo and lotion(like dr bronnors) that doesn’t contain coconut in it
Are you using a special soap dispenser in order to make it foam?
Yes, I’m using this foaming soap dispenser: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UYJK9T4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=mommypotamus-20&linkId=db3e7079c20bd5f8fb5d5761b52be105&language=en_US
It has some great reviews and some not-so-great ones. So far has worked well for me. 🙂
I haven’t used castile soap, but for years have diluted soap in our dispensers. Occasionally, there would be an “off-smell,” but I finally realized that if I boiled the water first, I didn’t have any problem with that smell. So, now I ALWAYS boil the water I add to the soap first: and that has taken care of the problem by killing any bacteria in the water.
can you mix the soap and oils to the water while it is still warm from boiling, or should I wait for it to cool first?
Where do you get the empty foaming dispensers?
I bought mine on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/29n6TrN
It has some great reviews and some not-so-great ones. So far has worked well for me. 🙂
Thank you!
I saved a couple that I’ve purchased at Bath and Bodyworks over the years and just refill them.
I’ve been using a similar Castile soap recipe and have found the lather is good but it quickly dissipates leaving just my hands scrubbing each other. When trying to wash off an oily substance like coconut oil the soap doesnt cut through the oil. Any suggestions? Is there a better natural soap option that really cuts through grease?
Could I add a shot of vanilla for preservation? Alcohol is a preservative and antibacterial.
This is great! I was using a more solid application but am excited to try a roll-on version. Thanks so much!
Is this dilution safe for pregnancy and children? Thank you!!
I have kept this in my inbox for some time now; after I saw the “squirt” comment I had to laugh, mine tends to squirt straight across the sink at times (take a tooth pick, clean it out and it is good to go for a while) I have been using half soap and half distilled water for a long time, just with the foaming bottles it needs a little help; will have to experiment per some comments….. always some thing new to learn 🙂 Thanks for the post!!!
Hello Heather, I love your website!!! Thank you for all you do for people like me, desiring to live a healthier lifestyle! I have a question, how have the soap dispensers that you link held up? I am wanting to buy some and I’m just wondering if these work well and last. Thank you so much!
God bless you and your sweet little “potami clan”!
Katie
So far it’s still working well!
How much glycerin? I want thick lather thst won’t “melt” in your hands??
Oh I loved foaming hand soap as a kid! This seems fairly easy and something my kids would love. Then I can keep my Molton Brown hand soap to myself!
I’m curious if you ever make your own liquid castile soap. I’m working from through a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s, thanks to yiyr recipes, but I’m curious about making my own. I’ve found a recipe I’d like to try when my bottle is almost gone, but it surprises me that you don’t make your own. Is there a reason I’m missing, or have you just not gone there yet? Thanks!
It’s on my list of things to try, but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet 🙂
This post is great! I was made and currently using a chamomile foaming soap but am excited to try this one, after finish my last soap. Thanks so much 🙂
I’ve started adding clove bud oil to my kitchen hand soap. I enjoy the fragrance much more than rosemary or tea tree, and clove bud is antiseptic as well. It can be blended with rosemary, and citrus oils, and I believe a 1% (or less dilution, as in Mommypotamus’ recipe) should be safe even for kids over 2 years.
Hi Heather,
I can not wait to try this recipe!!!! Although I did just have couple of questions to ask, if that’s okay??
3 quick questions:
1) do you have to use essential oils “only” in the foaming hand soap or could you both “fragrance oils too if you wanted to”???
2) what preservative could you put in this “just in case” it’s not used in a month???
3) could you put 1 teasp of glycerin or perhaps jojoba oil or sweet almond oil in this recipe as well???
Thank you so much for this recipe!!!! I have all the bottles, just need to make now 🙂
Lisa
1. I suppose you could although I don’t have any experience in working with them
2. You might want to consider the optional preservative I recommend in this post: https://mommypotamus.com/hyaluronic-acid-serum-recipe/
3. Yes 🙂
https://www.amazon.com/Soft-Style-Clear-Spray-Bottle/dp/B000NJE0PO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=style+and+soft+spray&qid=1582483145&s=home-garden&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mommypotamus-20&linkId=688912ce3435d31db243ad5e63da6462&language=en_US
To spray alcohol , essential oil bug sprays , peroxide , white vinegar …
it should have 7 gold stars . WIDE BASE ( no tip overs )
please note: for essential oils to mix with the water in these spray bottles adjust the PH from ( tap water 7ph) to 10 maybe by adding a 1/4 teaspoon of salt , If you do not a have a Kangen Enagic Water Alkalize … I have the SD205 ??? and love it. I select 11ph on the panel and it easily mixes the oil in with one shake. The machine also cuts the water molecule in half so it hydrates the brain almost instantly.
I LOVE this dispenser. It IS plastic, but it has the ratios of water to soap (plus air!) for making the perfect blend for foaming soap. They are printed right on the container, but hidden by the colored top. It is a foaming soap dispenser. You can’t find these by just scrolling, you have to input the name or link….I have ordered about 8 of these for myself and as gifts. I LOVE them!!! From Better Living Products. They have black, white or grey. They used to have a lime green, but must have discontinued that color.
https://www.amazon.com/Better-Living-Products-70250-Dispenser/dp/B00DPMEJ98/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00DPMEJ98&pd_rd_r=QSPZM0ACJNK73E07PTRH&pd_rd_w=r6Jmn&pd_rd_wg=O79Ee&pf_rd_p=59aba8a5-3996-4c3b-b27f-3b92c87407a9&pf_rd_r=QSPZM0ACJNK73E07PTRH&psc=1&refRID=ZTWDAJ39NXPYW1NT7E3D&linkCode=ll1&tag=mommypotamus-20&linkId=e37dab8c762e97cc854c7efedbcf000f&language=en_US
The link for ‘list of essential oils safe for children’ above goes to a cod liver oil post. Can you direct me to the correct list? Thanks!
Oh, thank you for letting me know! I just corrected the link. 🙂
You are correct in your concern with using water. I found numerous DIY foaming hand soap recipes online so I could start making my own foaming hand soap. However, I have learned that it does turn rancid or spoil the hard way. I generally was using my soap in a month but the problem is you do get mold and bacteria in the soap – even if you cannot see it and it’s used in under a month. I came across an online international school that teaches how to formulate (or rather make) natural surfactants (they also have natural skincare courses too). It covers various types of soaps including foaming hand soap. I’ve recently perfected my castile base foaming hand soap safely. You should always use distilled water AND a preservative when adding water to your product. I’ve been using a preservative called Optiphen ND from theherbarie.com. I feel much more confident that I’m not exposing my family to bacteria and mold in the soap now that I’ve added a preservative into my final product. I highly recommend taking a look into it too because it’s so easy to add for the peace of mind. I enjoy reading your articles so please don’t be discouraged by this comment. You are so amazing and helpful!
How much optiphen do you use per container? Thanks
Just wondering Heather, why do you prefer unscented Castile soap like Dr. Bronner and add eo? Why not use Dr Bronner Lavender (for one example)? Can’t wait to try your recipe! Thank you!
Hi Heather,
For your 8oz Hand Soap Recipe, you mean 2-4 drops of essential oil right? “24” must be a typo, correct?
Thanks.
Actually 24 drops is correct. That’s 0.5% dilution which is well under the 1-2% recommended for daily general use. Plus this is a wash-off product so in general even some higher concentrations are considered okay. You’re welcome to use 2-4 drops, though. 🙂
Thanks for clarifying Heather – especially since I will be using it for a household with young children.
And yes, I’m aware we are welcome to use 2-4 drops! The beauty of freedom! 🙂
You know that 2 parts soap 4 parts water (2:4) is actually just 1 part soap 2 parts water (1:2)…
Hi Mommypotamus –
If you use distilled water and then add the rosemary or tea tree essential oils they also help to extend the shelf life of the foaming hand soap.
Question. I use dr bonners for a foaming hand wash.
I noticed the other day while trying to remove oily make up with the hand soap it was difficult to get off.
Can you help me understand why and what would be the solution to getting grease off of hands with this foaming soap?
Also for on the go I usually keep a diluted version in a travel container. Now that I know it an spoil then I supposed just carrying some undiluted and using 2 to 3 drops with fresh water in a pinch should work I am thinking. Suggestions about uses on the go?
Thanks!
What is the shelf life? 6 + months or less
The Bronner’s didn’t specify. Personally, I prefer to make smaller batches and use within a month or so.
Love it!!