For many years I made our own liquid hand soap from just a few simple ingredients. I’m not as diligent with it as I once was, but I still enjoy how quick and easy this recipe is.
These are the ingredients I use:
Glycerin (tall bottle)
Essential oil (small bottle)
Bar of Soap (purple bar)
A little bit about each ingredient and how you can change it up a bit:
I purchased the glycerin from Hobby Lobby for under $4 and it lasts me at least a year.
The essential oil I use is peppermint oil, but this is really up to you and what fragrances or healing properties you like. The soap shown here is a castille soap our family made during a soap-making party. You can use any soap, but I recommend something natural like Fels Naptha, castille, or even Ivory.
Now, you need to grate your soap:
I use my Bosch Slicer/Shredder that I purchased from MarmeeDear.com. I originally purchased the slicer/shredder in order to shred the bulk cheese we were getting wholesale. It proved to be fantastic for this job as well. However, if you don’t own something like this, use an old fashioned grater and use the fine side so your soap will melt faster in the next step.
Put 1 cup of soap flakes in a pot.
You can choose to only grate 1 cup of soap at a time or you can grate the entire bar and save the rest for your next batch (that’s what I do).
Cover the soap with 4 cups of water. Add 1 Tbsp of glycerin and about 5 drops of essential oil. Warm the pot on the stove until the soap flakes melt, stirring regularly.
And you’re finished!
From here, all I do is fill all my old soap dispensers with the warm soap (a funnel comes in quite handy here!)
You may need to experiment with the glycerin amounts depending on the bar soap you use (a castille will possibly need more, a regular bar of soap may not need any at all!)
Try it out and come back and let me know how it turned out!
This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday.
Interesting…soap making is something I’ve yet to try but would like to!
Looks good! I think it’s something I’ll need to try. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Thanks for sharing! That sounds so easy! I’ve just recently started making my own laundry soap and baby wipes. I hope to put both things on my blog soon.
So awesome! I make my own laundry soap similarly. Do you mind if I repost on my blog, giving you credit of course! http://www.frugallyfarmingfamily.blogspot.com
Thanks for this “recipe”. I can’t wait to try it. I have to buy all natural hand soap because of my son, and it tends to get rather expensive! This looks like a great alternative.
What a great idea–and so simple, too! I will definitely try this out soon. Thanks for the directions!
Hmmm – this looks interesting. I think my kids would love to do this as a “craft” We may give this a whirl!
oooohh-la..la! I am going to try this asap! I normall buy Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap, but I bet this is cheaper. Thanks bunches!
That is very cool! I had no idea it could be so easy.
Amy, this is great. Thanks for the tip. xox
Had a quick question about the glycerin… You mentioned using more or less as need with various soaps… What is the glycerin suppose to do exactly???
I made my 1st batch with Fels-Naptha (‘cuz it’s what I had on hand) and just the 1 tbsp. of glycerin & once it settled in the pumps it was VERY thick. Does that mean it needs more glycerin???
Thanks Amy!
Sherri´s last blog ..Homeschooling Lesson #23,647…
Sherri,
LESS! Glycerin is what thickens it, so try not using any and see what happens. Then work your way from there.
Hi there! I happened upon your blog as I was looking for a natural liquid hand soap recipe! I made this tonight, and it turned out great!! Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m doing a little post about it on my blog, and will of course link it to your blog, as it was my inspiration! Thanks.
Heather´s last blog ..Me in Threes!
Wonderful! So glad it worked for you!
I tried this with less than a Tbsp of glycerin (maybe I didnt need it). My soap is really thick like slime
Do you think more water will fix the problem? Or do you think I could make another batch and combine the two to counteract the slime?
Try not putting any glycerin in. Some soaps have plenty of “gel” in them already.