A glass jar with a black pump dispenser labeled "Dish Soap" is filled with a light-colored liquid. It is placed on a marble countertop with a sponge on a round wooden holder, set against a tiled backsplash.

Homemade Liquid Dish Soap

/ Homemade Cleaning Products, Homemade Natural Products

Making your own dish soap is not only an environmentally friendly choice but also a fun and easy project that lets you control what goes into cleaning your dishes. This DIY liquid dish soap recipe combines natural ingredients for an effective and gentle clean.

A clear glass pump bottle labeled "Dish Soap" is filled with a light-colored soap. It's placed against a white, textured tile background and accompanied by a striped blue and white cloth.
Homemade Liquid Dish Soap. Photo credit: The Happy Body Project.

Learn how you can make your own dish soap, perfect for tackling greasy dishes without harsh chemicals.

Benefits of Making Your Own Dish Soap

Making your own dish soap provides numerous advantages over commercial options. It allows you to create a safer, more natural product without the harmful chemicals typically found in store-bought varieties.

  • Safety: By using natural ingredients, you avoid the harsh chemicals found in many commercial dish soaps.
  • Cost-Effective: Making dish soap at home can be more economical than buying premium, eco-friendly brands.
  • Customizable: You can choose your favorite scents and add ingredients that suit your cleaning needs.
A mason jar with a black pump lid is filled with beige liquid soap, set against a white herringbone tile background. A blue and white striped cloth is draped beside it on a marble countertop.
Homemade Liquid Dish Soap. Photo credit: The Happy Body Project.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make your eco-friendly dish soap, gather the following:

  • ½ cup Castile Soap: Castile soap is a gentle, natural soap that serves as the base of your dish soap.
  • 1 ½ cups Water: Water dilutes the soap for easier use.
  • 1/3 cup Washing Soda: Washing soda enhances cleaning power by cutting through grease and lifting stains.
  • 20 drops Essential Oils (optional): Add for their antiseptic properties and pleasant scent. Lemon or tea tree oil are great choices for their natural antibacterial qualities.
  • Mason Jar with Soap Lid: Mason jars and these soap lids are ideal for storing and dispensing your dish soap.
Top view of three white bowls on a marble surface. One bowl contains clear liquid, another has yellow liquid, and the third holds white powder. A small brown bottle with a white cap is next to the bowls.
Homemade Liquid Dish Soap. Photo credit: The Happy Body Project.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Liquid Dish Soap

  1. Blend Soap and Oils: Start by mixing the essential oils into the castile soap. This step helps to evenly distribute the oils throughout the soap, enhancing its fragrance and antibacterial properties.
  2. Mix with Water: Boil some water and measure out 1 ½ cups. Mix the hot water with the castile soap mixture in a large bowl, stirring gently to combine.
  3. Add Washing Soda: Stir in the washing soda until completely dissolved. The washing soda will thicken the mixture slightly and boost its cleaning power.

Once your ingredients are thoroughly mixed, transfer the liquid dish soap into a mason jar and secure a soap lid for easy use. This recipe makes about 16 ounces of homemade liquid dish soap.

A mason jar filled with homemade liquid dish soap labeled "Dish Soap" is on a countertop. A sponge sits beside the jar. The text "Homemade Liquid Dish Soap" is displayed above. The background is a tiled wall.
Homemade Liquid Dish Soap. Photo credit: The Happy Body Project.

How to Use Your Homemade Dish Soap

For daily dishwashing, pump a small amount of soap onto a sponge or directly into the sink. This soap is effective for cleaning dishes, utensils, and even glassware. It works hard against grease, leaving your dishes sparkling clean.

Storage Tips: Store your homemade dish soap under the sink or in a pantry. If you notice separation, simply shake or stir it before use. Properly stored, this dish soap should last between six months to a year.

Creating your own dish soap is a step towards a more sustainable home. It’s simple, effective, and a great way to reduce your ecological footprint while keeping your dishes spotless. Enjoy your new, green cleaning routine!

For other homemade cleaning products and personal care products, check out our homemade products section. You may also be interested in this homemade dishwasher soap.