LIQUID SOAP YOUR HANDS WILL LOVE
Have you ever tried your hand at making liquid hand soap? To be completely honest, I was quite satisfied with simply purchasing mine from the store—until earlier this year when I found empty shelves staring back at me. If I muster the energy to visit a store, I certainly don’t want to walk away empty-handed. Has this happened to you? Determined not to face that situation again, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create my own soap. After all, how challenging could it be? Well, it turns out, it’s pretty straightforward. I began my usual research on Pinterest to find a recipe that appealed to me, only to realize that I already possess the perfect formula. I suppose I wanted to be doubly sure. The liquid soap recipe I’ll share with you today is notably gentler than most commercial varieties. You can opt for a completely fragrance-free version or infuse it with your favorite essential oils—more on that shortly. I’ve been using this exact recipe as a facial cleanser for years; it effectively removes makeup and even doubles as a natural shaving cream. So, you’re not just getting typical liquid hand soap here, but three versatile products in one!
Proper handwashing is something I hold dear to my heart. Having worked in hospitals and physician’s offices for many years, often with critically ill patients who were particularly vulnerable to infections, handwashing was an essential part of my responsibilities. To be honest, even though I always ensured proper hand hygiene, I find myself lathering up even more now and encouraging my family to do the same. If you have any reluctant hand washers at home, be sure to check out this informative video I found! It brilliantly illustrates how much unwanted grime resides on our hands and emphasizes the importance of thorough lathering.
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A few years ago, my eldest son and I conducted a similar experiment as a science fair project. It was such a success that his teacher requested to use it to demonstrate the importance of handwashing to other students! If you’re interested in replicating what was showcased in the video and teaching your kids about germ growth, you can find similar agar petri dishes for purchase. Nonetheless, all this sanitizing and washing can be harsh and drying on our hands—both little and big. Dry, itchy, and cracked hands, aside from being uncomfortable, can actually lead to unpleasant skin infections. Using a gentle soap recipe featuring antibacterial ingredients is a wonderful way to keep your hands clean and healthy simultaneously.
To ensure you have this versatile recipe at your fingertips whenever needed, I’ve included a printable version along with plenty of other useful information in the FREE Resource Library. Just sign up here, and your password will be on its way to your inbox!
LIQUID SOAP INGREDIENTS
As mentioned earlier, using effective and well-tolerated components is crucial. By incorporating only gentle ingredients that have been utilized in natural skincare and cleaning, you’re doing a great service to your tired and hard-working hands. This recipe is also safe for all ages. Let’s delve into the ingredients I’m referring to!
- Buying these ingredients in larger quantities means you won’t run out of soap anytime soon. Plus, they can be useful for various other recipes. You can discover more ways to utilize each of these powerhouse ingredients in the FREE Resource Library!
CASTILE SOAP
Castile soap is a vegetable-based soap I consider a must-have in any household. It’s incredibly versatile; you could even brush your teeth with it safely, although I’ll warn you—its soapy aroma might take some getting used to! If you want to explore the many uses of castile soap, check out this informative post. I have been using Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap for years and can attest to its efficacy. A single bottle lasts a long time and is available in various scents such as peppermint, lemon, and lavender, or you can choose the unscented option and add your own essential oils.
RAW HONEY
Honey is another one of my all-time favorite skincare ingredients. Not only can you sweeten your hot tea with it to soothe a sore throat, but it also has a special place in my heart from my childhood in Germany, where my great-uncle, a beekeeper, educated us about the essential plants honey bees rely on. Raw honey is included in this recipe because it is particularly gentle and soothing on irritated skin. Folk medicine often employs honey as a treatment for infected wounds and minor burns. Its natural antibacterial properties make it an excellent choice for treating acne without the harshness of chemicals. Plus, the moisturizing quality of honey makes it perfect for any skin-pampering recipe. And don’t worry—you won’t end up with sticky hands!
ALMOND OIL
Almond oil is another fantastic choice for keeping your skin soft and hydrated despite frequent washing. Like raw honey, it also possesses antibacterial properties and is often used in natural treatments for dark under-eye circles and skin lightening. While it may not stay in contact long enough to lighten those pesky age spots that appear on hands over 50, it’s worth a try, don’t you think?
ESSENTIAL OILS
Add about 8-10 drops of your chosen essential oils if desired. Some of my favorite combinations include lavender and lemon, lemon and mint, lavender and mint, or pine and lemon; you can even use just tea tree oil. Create your own signature blend! Essential oils are one of Mother Nature’s most powerful gifts, adding much more than just fragrance. Oils like lavender have calming and skin-soothing properties, while peppermint is invigorating. Tea tree oil also offers antibacterial effects. If you decide to add essential oils to your liquid soap recipe, ensure you use high-quality oils and always conduct a skin patch test first. Check out my guide on selecting superb quality essential oils!
Here is the super simple Liquid Soap Recipe:
(Makes 2 cups)
- 1 cup liquid castile soap
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 15-20 drops of essential oils (your choice) such as lavender, peppermint, lemon, pine, or eucalyptus
DIRECTIONS
The instructions couldn’t be simpler! Just measure and combine all the ingredients, then pour them into a liquid soap dispenser with a pump. Since this formula lacks the chemicals that keep the ingredients in suspension, you may notice some separation. No worries—just give the bottle a gentle shake to combine everything before each use. Wash your hands just as you would with any other liquid soap. This recipe is a little more liquid than the commercial hand soap you might be accustomed to, but just one squirt will lather into a rich foam. It’s almost too easy, right?
I’m confident you will not only love this soap but also appreciate the fact that if you run out, you won’t have to rush to the store. Just refill your existing dispenser and you’re back in business. If you’re looking for other ways to create your own effective sanitizing products and tips on how to prevent illness, check out these posts:
- HOW TO MAKE 60% ALCOHOL BASED HAND SANITIZER SPRAY
- HOW TO MAKE HAND SANITIZER GEL WITHOUT ALCOHOL
- HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR FAMILY STAYS HEALTHY THIS WINTER
Don’t forget to pin this post so you can easily find it again. Have a wonderful day!