How to Make Liquid Dish Soap
Castile soap, the heart of this recipe, contains plant oils rather than animal fats. Traditionally made with olive oil, today's castiles may include jojoba, coconut, or other vegetable oils. Castile is a versatile soap, useful for both household cleaning and personal hygiene. Using inexpensive ingredients, you can create dish soap that, unlike many commercial detergents, is kind to the environment. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 2 bars solid or 2 cups liquid castile soap
- Large non-metallic bowl
- Sharp knife
- Water
- 1/2 cup lemon juice or white vinegar
- Essential oils
- Funnel
- Empty bottles
Instructions
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1
If you have chosen to use liquid castile soap, proceed to Step 3.
Finely chop the bars of castile soap. Place the soap in a large bowl and cover with 2 cups of hot water.
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2
Allow the soap and water to sit for several hours or overnight. When the soap is soft, stir the mixture until it is smooth.
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3
Add 2 cups of warm water to the soap mixture or to your liquid castile soap. Stir completely but gently; do not create suds. Add more water as necessary until the mixture reaches the consistency of conventional dish detergent.
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4
Stir in 1/4 cup of lemon juice or white vinegar. These acidic ingredients cut grease, adding power to your dish cleanser.
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5
For a pleasant scent, add your favorite essential oil to your dish soap, a few drops at a time. Essential oils are strong, and a little bit goes a long way. Some oils, such as tea tree oil, also possess antibacterial properties. Other popular essential oils include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus and pine.
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6
Pour your homemade dish soap into bottles. Recycle old dish detergent bottles or choose something decorative. Look around the house for possibilities. You can even use an empty wine bottle with an appropriate stopper.
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Tips & Warnings
Play with essential oil mixtures to develop your own unique combinations. Find vintage bottles for an unusual decorative touch in the kitchen. Prepare dish soap in bulk, package in pretty bottles, and give as inexpensive gifts.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit kahle: morgueFile
