DIY Fall Scented Hand Soaps: 20 Natural Recipes and Tips

Embrace Autumn with DIY Scented Hand Soaps

One of the most delightful rituals I cherish at the beginning of each season is crafting my own scented hand soaps. Fall, with its crisp air and warm flavors, is no exception. Making my own hand soap is not just a fun activity; it’s also a wonderful way to save money! The costs can vary depending on the essential oils you choose, but it typically costs me less than a dollar to create a bottle of all-natural hand soap. In stark contrast, commercially available hand soaps, such as those from Bath & Body Works, often retail for over $7 each. Even with their sales, my homemade soap remains a MUCH more economical option. Plus, you can tailor your DIY soap to any cozy fall scent you desire. Below, I’ve compiled 20 of my favorite fall and Halloween hand soap recipes, all made using essential oils and completely natural ingredients. From pumpkin spice to apple orchard, candy corn, woodland walk, and vanilla bean candle, there are so many delightful options to explore. It’s hard to understand why anyone would choose to buy hand soap from Bath & Body Works when they can create this luxurious all-natural liquid soap at home.

Ingredients in My Foaming Hand Soap

Creating your own foaming soap with essential oils is incredibly simple! With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a moisturizing foaming hand soap in about a minute. My recipe starts with liquid Castile soap, but it doesn’t stop there. I also incorporate a touch of sweet almond oil and vegetable glycerin to enhance the moisturizing properties of the soap. This recipe is effective against germs yet gentle on the hands. Considering that many of us experience dry skin during the fall months, this is the ideal hand soap for the season.

• Liquid Unscented Castile Soap

  Dr. Bronner’s liquid Castile soap serves as the primary ingredient in my homemade hand soaps. Derived from five different organic oils, it’s one of the most natural options available. This soap is excellent at thoroughly cleansing hands while preserving the skin’s natural oils, making it perfect for those with dry or chapped skin.

• Sweet Almond Oil

  I add a bit of sweet almond oil to my DIY hand soap for an extra layer of moisture. Rich in vitamin D, sweet almond oil is highly nourishing and suitable for all skin types. It’s also one of the gentlest oils, making it an ideal moisturizer for dry and irritated skin.

  Substitutes: If sweet almond oil isn’t suitable for you or someone who may be allergic to tree nuts, you can easily replace it with another carrier oil, such as apricot kernel oil or jojoba oil.

• Vegetable Glycerin

  Vegetable glycerin enhances this soap beyond typical homemade recipes in several ways. Like sweet almond oil, it provides moisture to the skin. Additionally, it aids in emulsifying the other ingredients, ensuring they blend together seamlessly, and thickens the soap, resulting in a rich lather.

• Essential Oils

  I utilize essential oils as a natural way to scent my fall hand soap. Varieties like cinnamon, clove, sweet orange, vanilla, cedarwood, and spruce evoke the warm, cozy feelings associated with fall favorites. Explore all 20 of my fall-scented recipes below to discover your perfect essential oil blend.

• Distilled Water

  Water is used to help the hand soap foam and thin it out. A single bottle of this DIY foaming hand soap lasts at least four times longer than regular (non-foaming) hand soap. Talk about budget-friendly!

  Substitute: If distilled water isn’t available, you can use filtered water that has been boiled and cooled instead.

How to Create Fall-Scented Hand Soap with Essential Oils

Step 1: Choose a 15-Ounce Foaming Soap Dispenser

Here are a couple of things to consider when selecting your soap dispenser:

• Material: Opt for a dispenser made of glass, PETE, or HDPE plastic, as these materials are safe for use with essential oils.
• Type: Ideally, select a self-foaming soap dispenser. While this recipe will work in a standard soap dispenser, a foaming one will extend the soap’s lifespan, as it requires only a small amount of soap to produce a rich lather.

Step 2: Add 1/3 Cup of Liquid Unscented Castile Soap to the Dispenser

Tip: You can measure if you prefer, but this recipe doesn’t require exact measurements, so I usually just eyeball it.

Step 3: Incorporate 1 Teaspoon of Sweet Almond Oil

Tip: If sweet almond oil isn’t on hand, you can substitute it with another oil (such as olive oil, fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or apricot kernel oil) or simply omit it. I love adding sweet almond oil for its moisturizing qualities, especially since my skin tends to be dry.

Step 4: Add 1 Teaspoon of Vegetable Glycerin

Tip: If you don’t have glycerin, it can be omitted. Similar to the oil, adding glycerin enhances the moisturizing effect of the soap.

Step 5: Include 25-35 Drops of Essential Oil

Refer to the list of 20 suggested essential oil blends for fall and Halloween scents below.

Step 6: Stir Briskly to Combine the Soap, Oil, Glycerin, and Essential Oils

Step 7: Fill the Container with Distilled Water (Approximately 1 Cup)

Tip: Avoid overfilling the container; leave space at the top for the soap pump. If filled to the brim, the soap can spill when the pump is added.

Step 8: Secure the Soap Dispenser Lid and Shake Well to Mix

Step 9: Download Free Printable Labels and Full Fall Hand Soap Recipes Here

Tip: You can print these labels on full-sheet label paper or, as I prefer, on regular printer paper and attach them to the bottles with packing tape. This method is cost-effective and ensures the labels adhere better while protecting them for long-term use.

20 Favorite Fall Soap Scents

I absolutely love the versatility of using essential oils to create an array of autumn-scented hand soaps! With just a few essential oils, I can transform my base hand soap recipe into pumpkin spice, apple orchard, or vanilla bean candle scents. You can even concoct fragrances perfect for Halloween (such as candy corn, friendly ghost, or witch’s brew). It’s a straightforward process that allows me to customize my hand soap to suit my fall mood.

1. Flannel

• 8 drops cardamom
• 2 drops cinnamon
• 5 drops sweet orange
• 2 drops clove
• 8 drops cedarwood
• 8 drops spruce

2. Autumn Breeze

• 11 drops lemon
• 11 drops sweet orange
• 11 drops fir

3. Woodland Walk

• 17 drops cypress
• 9 drops fir
• 9 drops sandalwood

4. Sweater Weather

• 18 drops eucalyptus
• 12 drops juniper berry
• 5 drops sage

5. Stay Cozy

• 8 drops cedarwood
• 8 drops spruce
• 8 drops cypress
• 4 drops vetiver
• 4 drops sage

6. Vanilla Bean Candle

• 24 drops vanilla
• 5 drops cedarwood
• 3 drops cypress
• 2 drops spruce

7. Cinnamon Buns

• 10 drops sweet orange
• 10 drops cinnamon
• 8 drops vanilla
• 6 drops cardamom

8. Evening by the Fire

• 10 drops fir
• 5 drops frankincense
• 5 drops sandalwood
• 5 drops lavender
• 10 drops sweet orange

9. Pumpkin Spice

• 12 drops sweet orange
• 4 drops vanilla
• 3 drops cardamom
• 6 drops cinnamon
• 3 drops clove
• 3 drops ginger

10. Mulled Cider

• 18 drops sweet orange
• 7 drops cinnamon
• 3 drops clove
• 2 drops nutmeg
• 3 drops cardamom

11. Apple Orchard

• 4 drops lemon
• 6 drops green mandarin
• 4 drops copaiba
• 4 drops fir
• 7 drops cedarwood
• 7 drops frankincense

12. Enchanted Forest

• 7 drops spruce
• 4 drops pine
• 6 drops patchouli
• 8 drops lavender
• 4 drops frankincense
• 4 drops cedarwood

13. Friendly Ghost

• 8 drops spearmint
• 8 drops lemon
• 8 drops sweet orange
• 8 drops vanilla

14. Gingersnap Cookies

• 10 drops ginger
• 5 drops cinnamon
• 3 drops clove
• 5 drops vanilla
• 5 drops tangerine
• 5 drops ocotea

15. Witch’s Brew

• 2 drops ylang ylang
• 10 drops eucalyptus
• 10 drops lavender
• 10 drops spearmint

16. Trick or Treat

• 15 drops copaiba
• 8 drops bergamot
• 4 drops grapefruit
• 4 drops cedarwood

17. Candy Corn

• 10 drops lemon
• 10 drops sweet orange
• 7 drops copaiba
• 3 drops vanilla

18. Spooktacular!

• 5 drops frankincense
• 5 drops cedarwood
• 5 drops sandalwood
• 3 drops ginger
• 3 drops clove
• 10 drops sweet orange

19. Pumpkin Spice Latte

• 12 drops coffee
• 4 drops cinnamon
• 2 drops clove
• 2 drops ginger
• 8 drops sweet orange
• 4 drops cardamom

20. Graveyard

• 13 drops coffee
• 13 drops sweet orange
• 3 drops cinnamon
• 1 drop clove

For even more fall scent inspiration, check out my fall diffuser blends and Halloween diffuser blends posts.

Usage Instructions

• While the mixture remains relatively well-mixed, the oils may separate over time. I recommend giving the soap dispenser a gentle shake before each use to redisperse the oils.
• According to the CDC, here are the 5 essential steps for effective handwashing: 1) Wet hands with water and apply soap, 2) Lather up, 3) Scrub for at least 20 seconds, 4) Rinse, and 5) Dry.
• Use within a few weeks of preparation. This is usually not an issue in my household, but if you don’t use it frequently or if you have a smaller family, consider making smaller batches. The recipe can easily be halved or even quartered.

Where to Source Your Supplies

This website contains affiliate links. If you click on certain links and subsequently purchase a product, I may receive a small commission. The price remains unchanged for you.

• Foaming Soap Dispenser: Click here for the essential-oil-safe plastic version I use or here for a glass alternative.
• Liquid Unscented Castile Soap: Click here for my preferred option, or you can usually find it at Target, Whole Foods, and various natural food stores.
• Sweet Almond Oil: Click here for the type I buy.
• Vegetable Glycerin: Click here for the glycerin I use.
• Distilled Water: Available near bottled water in grocery stores like Walmart or Target.

Get a free printable of the foaming hand soap recipes and labels here.

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Please note: The products mentioned on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your medical doctor for your healthcare needs, and never disregard professional advice or postpone seeking it because of something you read on this website.

Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. If you click on certain links and subsequently purchase a product, I may receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.