Ditch the store-bought hand soaps. Mix up a batch of this all-natural DIY foaming hand soap in less than 5 minutes. It’ll leave your hands feeling clean and moisturized.
Dirty. Messy. And definitely gross.
As a homesteader sometimes life can get a little dirty. You know what I’m talking about! Playing in the dirt when we plant our garden. Scooping straw from the barn. Washing the mud off of the dog’s paws before they come trotting inside the house. Rolling out sticky dough to make bread for dinner. And let’s not even get started on the amount of filth in the chicken run.
Some jobs just require a good hand washing.
Now I realize that some dirt in your life is a good thing. Digging in the dirt or eating food straight from the garden without washing it is actually good for the gut – build that microbiome, baby! But there are other times when there are messes that are just plain gross. Or filled with bacteria. At times like these, washing your hands is a requirement.
Years ago, I used to purchase commercially made soap. I’d get drawn into the fun colors and fragrances like, iced cinnamon rolls and pumpkin apple. Little did I know that these soaps were filled full of things that weren’t good for your skin. So I made the ol’ switcheroo to the best homemade foaming hand soap that used natural, simple ingredients. Not only were they better for the body but they improved the pocketbook as well.
My favorite DIY foaming hand soap recipe (below) uses castile soap, glycerin, oil and sweet orange oil. The castile is great at cleaning off the gunk on my hands while the jojoba oil and glycerin help keep my hands soft. The sweet orange smells refreshing and makes me feel clean. I like to fill a mason jar with the soap then add a foaming soap dispenser lid to the top. Cute and functional! A jar of this soap sets in both of the bathrooms in our home.
Why is Handmade Soap Better?
There are dozens of reasons why one may be interested in making DIY foaming hand soap but to save time, I’ll just name a few.
- You can control the ingredients. No artificial colors or fragrances. No horrible chemicals.
- Healthy and safe to use on your skin.
- Saves a lot of money by making it yourself.
- Contains natural oils to keep your skin hydrated.
- Easy and fun to make.
Tools You May Need
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Pint size mason jar
Ingredients
If you’re looking for the best foaming hand soap recipe without the added colors, synthetic fragrances and chemicals, this orange liquid hand soap will quickly become your go-to favorite. Here are just a few reasons why these ingredients were selected for this handmade recipe.
Castile Soap – Without a doubt, castile soap is a great cleanser! It lathers and cleans without any additional toxins or chemicals. Dr. Bronner’s Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Soap is my go-to for hand soaps and home cleaning supplies.
Vegetable Glycerin – A small amount of vegetable glycerin was added to this foaming hand soap recipe with glycerin for its ability to soften and moisturize the skin on your hands.
Jojoba Oil – Jojoba is excellent for skin care. Derived from the seeds of the jojoba plant, the extracted liquid helps to repair, soothe and soften skin which makes it a great addition to this moisturizing hand soap recipe.
Orange Essential Oil – There are several great uses for orange essential oil. I love using it in my homemade hand soap recipes and natural cleaners. The aroma of sweet orange oil is uplifting and smells delightful. When added to the liquid soap recipe, it can support sore joints and muscles. If the scent of orange isn’t your thing, check the “tips” section for some great alternatives.
Distilled Water – While you technically can use any form of water in this hand soap, I recommend using distilled water because the impurities and minerals have been removed from the water. This extends the shelf life of your soap.
Tips
- Choose a quality castile soap. Dr. Bronner’s is a good brand but I have recently been enjoying the castile soap from Azure Standard.
- If you are not fond of orange essential oil, you can easily swap it for another oil such as lavender, lemon or rosemary.
- Since water and oil do not mix well, you may need to occasionally shake your soap dispenser before using. Gently shake and the ingredients will blend together again.
How to Make Foaming Hand Soap
Makes: 16 ounces
Ingredients
Unscented castile soap
Distilled or filtered water
1 tablespoon jojoba oil or sweet almond oil
2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
15 drops sweet orange essential oil
Supplies
16 ounce glass mason jar
Foaming hand soap dispenser
Directions
Fill the glass jar a quarter of the way with castile soap. Add the jojoba oil and vegetable glycerin. Then add the orange essential oil.
Fill the jar the rest of the way with water. Cap the container with the foaming soap dispenser and give it a gentle shake.
FAQ
What Makes Foaming Hand Soap Foam?
By using air and a special type of dispenser, the hand pump combines the soap, water and air to create a foamy soap and an abundant lather to help wash away dirt and germs.
Why Do I Need Distilled Water for Soap Making?
Distilled water is the best choice for this castile foaming hand soap recipe because it has had most of its impurities and minerals removed during the boiling process. By taking out these possible contaminants, you can rest assured the soap will last a long time and won’t adversely affect the quality of the hand soap.
What is the Ratio of Soap to Water for Foaming Hand Soap?
When making this simple foaming hand soap recipe, I like to use 1 part soap to 3 parts water. For example, if I have a pint size mason jar, I will fill the jar 1/4 full of soap, then fill the remaining 3/4 part of the jar with water, preferably distilled water.
More DIY Skincare Recipes
All-Natural Moisturizing Hand Soap
Ditch the store-bought hand soaps. Mix up a batch of this all-natural DIY foaming hand soap in less than 5 minutes. It’ll leave your hands feeling clean and moisturized.
Ingredients
- Unscented castile soap
- Distilled or filtered water
- 1 tablespoon jojoba oil or sweet almond oil
- 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
- 15 drops sweet orange essential oil
Instructions
- Fill the glass jar a quarter of the way with castile soap. Add the jojoba oil and vegetable glycerin. Then add the orange essential oil.
- Fill the jar the rest of the way with water. Cap the container with the foaming soap dispenser and give it a gentle shake.
