How to Make Dish Detergent

As more people become aware of environmental issues with chemicals and cleaners, making your own cleaners is becoming more popular. Making your own dish detergent is simple and uses common ingredients. You can customize your dish soap with your favorite scents and colors to make it truly your own. Homemade dish detergent also makes attractive gifts when presented in Italian glass wine or vinegar bottles.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Liquid Castile soap
• Water
• Lemon juice
• Essential oils

1. Find a source of liquid Castile soap. Castile soap is 100 percent bio-degradable and made from vegetable oils, most often olive or sunflower oil. Liquid Castile soap may be found at natural food stores or in the natural food aisle of your local supermarket.

2. Blend together 4 cups of liquid Castile soap, 1 cup of water, 1 tbsp. of lemon juice and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil in a large ceramic or glass bowl. Stir gently until combined. If you do not have liquid Castile soap, grate 4 cups of Castile bar soap and heat with 1 cup of water until dissolved and a thick consistency, let cool, and continue.

3. Add a vegetable-based coloring if you would like to color your soap. Light colors, such as yellow, lavender or rose work best. Stir the color slowly through the mixture until it becomes a consistent color. Start with a small amount and combine. Add a few drops at a time, if you want a darker hue.

4. Pour your dish soap into dispensing containers. You can use an old dish soap bottle that has been cleaned out. Alternatively, you can use a clear wine or vinegar bottle to show off your new soap.

Tips & Warnings

• Popular essential oils for dish soap are lavender, lemon, rose, tangerine and rosemary.

• Add only one essential oil to your soap if you are not experienced with blending scents.