Learn to make easy, all-natural DIY foaming hand soap five different ways. It's the easiest non-toxic DIY you'll ever attempt. Learn how and you’ll never run out of hand soap again!
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This DIY foaming hand soap tutorial will teach you to make soap from liquid soap, detergent, body wash, or even shampoo. Plus, you’ll learn how and when to add additional ingredients to moisturize hands and add scent. To make foaming hand soap, you need just 2 simple ingredients and a foaming pump.
Why I Love DIY Foaming Hand Soap
I love foaming hand soap! It is an easy-to-use, convenient product that doesn't leave globs of liquid soap all over the sink… and I love any product that saves me time cleaning bathrooms!
Plus, homemade foaming hand soap is easier on the environment and more cost-effective than regular liquid soap. Except…
The Downside to Store-Bought Foaming Soap
There is also a lot to DISLIKE about most commercial foaming hand soaps:
- Plastic waste: These are often sold in single-use plastic bottles. By making your own diy foaming hand soap, you can reuse your dispensers indefinitely.
- Dangerous ingredients: Many store-bought versions contain artificial fragrance, artificial color, triclosan, and other additives that can act as allergens or endocrine disruptors.
- Cost: An all-natural, non-toxic version can cost more than $5 for an 8-ounce bottle that contains mostly water.
How to Make DIY Foaming Hand Soap
Luckily, this is the easiest project you’ll ever attempt! To make your soap, you need just two simple ingredients:
- Liquid soap or detergent
- Water
Combine the two in an empty foaming hand soap dispenser and PRESTO… foaming hand soap!
DIY Foaming Hand Soap Ingredients
1. Choosing Your Liquid Soap
Foaming hand soap can be made from any liquid soap or detergent you have at home. It just needs to be diluted with water!
- Liquid Castile Soap: A vegetable oil-based soap (perfect for an all-natural version).
- Common Detergents: Liquid hand wash, body wash, liquid dish detergent, or shampoo.
Soap vs. Detergent: What's the Difference?
In the US, we commonly call all hand washes "soap," much like we call all facial tissues "Kleenex." In reality, some products contain true soap, and others contain detergent.
The good news? Both soap and detergent work perfectly in this recipe! Both are effective at removing soils and bacteria when aided by friction and water.
Soap and Detergent Buying Tip: While any liquid soap or detergent will work mechanically, some contain much cleaner ingredients than others. If your goal is all-natural, non-toxic foaming hand soap, be sure to select a natural soap or detergent base. Check your labels on the EWG Consumer Guides or the Think Dirty App.
2. The Best Water to Use
Water is what turns liquid soap into foaming soap! Use distilled, filtered, or boiled (then cooled) water to ensure no bacteria are present. Your soap will last longer and stay cleaner.
Optional Ingredients for Your Homemade Soap
You can customize your diy foaming hand soap by adding one of these three optional ingredients:
Moisturizing Oils
Oils are used in hand soap to help moisturize dry skin. Add one teaspoon of argan oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, or fractionated coconut oil.
- A note on moisturizing oils: Adding oil may slightly decrease cleaning power. You can skip this ingredient and simply rub a drop or two of the oil into your hands once you are done washing.
Essential Oils
Oils are used in hand soap for scent or antibacterial properties. Add 1-15 drops of essential oils (EOs) to 1 teaspoon of moisturizing oil.
- A note on EOs: EOs are not water-soluble. You must dilute them with a carrier oil before adding them to the water-and-soap mixture. Follow this chart for proper dilution. EOS can cause adverse reactions. Limit their use on surfaces that come into contact with food and in homes with sensitive individuals or pets.
Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is sometimes used in hand soap to help moisturize the skin, soothe skin irritation, and/or thicken the final product. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin.
- A note on glycerin: You may find that adding glycerin leaves your hands feeling a bit sticky. You can skip this ingredient and moisturize your hands once you are done washing.
5 Ways to Make DIY Foaming Hand Soap
Follow these simple ratios for the best results.
How to Make Foaming Hand Soap with Liquid Hand Soap
- 2 Tbsp. Regular Liquid Hand Soap
- ¾ C. Water
- Directions: Add liquid soap to the pump, add water, and swirl gently.
How to Make Foaming Hand Soap with Castile Soap
- 2 Tbsp. Liquid Castile soap
- ¾ C. Water
- Directions: Add Castile soap to the pump, add water, and swirl gently.
How to Make Foaming Hand Soap with Body Wash
- 1 Tbsp. Liquid Body Wash
- ¾ C. Water
- Directions: Add body wash to the pump, add water, and swirl to combine.
How to Make Foaming Hand Soap with Shampoo
- 1 Tbsp. Shampoo (not medicated or color-depositing)
- ¾ C. Water
- Directions: Add shampoo to the pump, add water, and swirl to combine.
How to Make Foaming Hand Soap with Dish Detergent
- 2 Tbsp. Natural Dish Detergent
- ¾ C. Water
- Directions: Add dish detergent to the pump, add water, and swirl to combine.
How DIY Foaming Hand Soap Actually Cleans
Whether you use Castile soap or a natural detergent, the science behind the bubbles is the same. All foaming hand soaps contain one active cleaning ingredient: surfactants.
The Science of Surfactants
Surfactants are molecules that lower the surface tension of water, making it “wetter” and more able to bind with dirt and oils. Every soap or detergent molecule has two distinct ends:
- Hydrophobic (Water-fearing): This end hates water but loves oil. It attaches itself to the grease, grime, and bacteria on your skin.
- Hydrophilic (Water-loving): This end is attracted to water.
The Cleaning Process
When you lather up and rinse:
- The hydrophobic ends of the soap molecules latch onto the oils and soils on your hands.
- The hydrophilic ends remain attached to the water from your faucet.
- As you rinse, the water pulls the hydrophilic end, which drags the entire soap molecule-and the trapped grime-down the drain.
DIY Foaming Hand Soap Q&A
Why does foaming soap foam? Foaming hand soap is simply liquid soap diluted with a few extra parts water. As the mixture leaves the dispenser, it is mixed with air to create a lather. You must use a foaming soap dispenser for this to work. When the diluted soap is placed in a regular soap dispenser, you get watery soap.
What is Castile soap? It is a vegetable oil-based soap (often coconut or olive oil). Unlike many US soaps, it does not contain animal fats like sodium tallowate.
Can I use dishwasher detergent? No. Only use dish soap formulated for hand-washing dishes. Machine detergent is too harsh for skin.
Can I use bar soap to make foaming hand soap? Yes. People have successfully melted grated bar soap in hot water and then diluted the mixture to use as a DIY foaming hand soap. While this can work in a pinch, I have found bar-soap-based mixtures to be a bit “gloppy” in the long run.
Can I make foaming body wash? Yes! Use the same ratios as the hand soap and keep the dispenser in your shower. Use plain Castile soap, not a moisturizing shea butter version, if you plan to use it to wash your hair.
Can I make scented foaming soap without essential oils? Yes, the easiest way to add a scent is to start with a pre-scented Castile soap, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, rose, citrus, almond, or tea tree. You can even mix different scented soaps to create your own custom blends, like “Lavender-Lemon” or “Peppermint-Eucalyptus,” for a spa-like experience at your sink!
How can I make moisturizing foaming hand soap? You can easily make moisturizing soap by choosing a liquid Castile soap that contains shea butter, or by adding 1 teaspoon of your favorite moisturizing oil directly to your soap-and-water mixture. Choosing a pre-moisturized Castile soap makes a creamy lather.
Cost Comparison
Making your own foaming hand soap is a huge money-saver.
Homemade: ~$0.50 for 6 oz. That's a savings of over $2.00 per bottle!
Store-bought: ~$3.00 for 8 oz.
It’s a great deal when you have kids who love to use soap!
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Kat says
I find it much easier to mix the soap and water if at first you only add a little water to the soap in the bottle, mix that to thin, then add the rest of the water and finish mixing. Much easier!
fluf says
Hi your amazon link for the foaming soap dispenser no longer works (https://amzn.to/2UyKj5d). What dispenser are you using in the first picture? (the clear plastic container and white pump)
Bren says
I like this disenser – https://amzn.to/3rfobgZ – or purchase a bottle of foaming hand soap and reuse the dispenser once it is empty.
Sabrina says
Do you have a recipe for regular hand soap? Not foamy?
Bren says
I only have a foaming recipe at this time. I find it most economical to buy refill bags or tablets.
Dawn Buzard says
Thank you for these great ways to make homemade foaming hand soap! No longer will I need to waste money on something made so easily at home. I’ve already made it with Castile soap and it’s the same as store bought, I cannot tell the difference at all!
Bren says
Thanks, Dawn!
Deborah Waterhouse says
How long do the soaps last? there doesnt seem to be any preservatives in it..I dont want to use EO
Deb
Bren says
I have used the same bottle for several months with no problem when mixed using distilled water.
john says
Will the water separate over time when mixed with castille soap? do you constantly have to continue to mix it?
Bren says
I have to swirl it around occasionally…. maybe once a week.
Sue says
Hi Bren,
Thanks so much for these recipes. Can you add alcohol to create a soap that will kill germs as well?
Bren says
No, the alcohol concentration would not be high enough. Vigorous hand washing is the best bet!
Long says
Great recipe. I was making my own, but this recipe is so much better. Thank you!
Millie says
Does the castille soap (Bronner’s) clog the foaming dispenser? I t does in my regular dispenser.
Bren says
I have not had a problem with clogging unless the soap goes unused for several weeks.
Deb Ozeck says
in some of the recipes some of the products used call for 1 Tbsp and some call for 2 Tbsp, But they all say 1 ounce. Please clarify that. One ounce equals 2 Tbsp. Is Shampoo more concentrated than regular liquid hand soap, for example?
I like the idea of making my own foaming hand soap for many reasons: I can save money, have less plastic waste and get the scents I want. 🙂
Bren says
Sorry for the confusion, Deb! I’ve updated the recipes. 1 tbsp = 0.5 fluid ounce. 2 tbsp = 1 fluid ounce.
Denise Wren says
There is a glass dispener that comes up on your site with nozzle and pump button which sits behind nozzle. Where can I purchase such a container. I could send you a picture to make it more clear if you could give me an email address.
Bren says
Denise, I think you’re looking for this oil can soap pump (affiliate link)
Karen Reilly says
Where did you get the soap dispenser?
Bren says
Mine is upcycled from an old bottle of foaming hand soap. I’ve also seen them online here and here for Mason jar lids. Hope this helps!
Shelly L Williams says
Do you have a recipe for good DIY shampoo? I thought I read somewhere using coconut milk and Dr Bronner’s but now I can’t find it,
Bren says
Sorry, Shelly. I don’t have one.
Sophie says
Hi! I have been browsing your website a lot and I love how you explain/test everything! I have a bar of castile soap and I was wondering if i could melt some of it to achieve the same result in any recipe in which you use liquid castile soap? I read an article saying that bar and liquid soap are very different (for various reasons) and hence cannot be used the same, but still? Soap is soap? Thank you!
Bren says
I’ve never tried with melted bar Castile soap so I’m not sure how it would work. I do know that liquid Castile soap is less concentrated than solid Castille bars (1 cup of liquid Castile soap equals 3.64 ounces of bar soap). Let me know if you try and it works.
Ged says
Liquid and solid soaps are made with different bases (alkalis): solid with sodium hydroxide, liquid with potassium hydroxide. Since that is the only difference between the two it’s obvious that the sodium hydroxide makes a solid soap. if you melt it in water, which is possible, it will tend to re-solidify, become a gel and clog the nozzle of the dispenser. To actually have the soap stay liquid you would have to use so little that it wouldn’t create any foam.
Bren says
Thanks for commenting, Ged. I loved learning more about soap making!
Ems says
Great Post!
Just FYI: Bronner’s Castille soap contains coconut oil (second ingredient), which is extremely comedogenic…in case someone wants to use this on their face or body but is break out prone. Not a good idea!
Bren says
Ems, the second ingredient is actually Saponified Organic Coconut Oil. When making soap the fat (in this case coconut oil) is combined with lye to produce a chemical reaction called saponification. The end result is soap plus glycerin. You can read more about washing your face with Castille soap here.
mel sarver says
Sorry. I meant to say foaming soap by using half baby shampoo and half water. It works well as a refull
Bren says
Great idea! I’ll have to try it out.
mel sarver says
I have made foaming soup by using half baby shampoo and half water. It works well as a refuill
Gigi says
What is the life of this soap giving the fact that u are not using any preservative? I have read that people make enough for 2 days or a week.
Bren says
It lasts for a long time, it’s just thinned soap. Use distilled water if you are concerned about contaminates.
Jody says
Is this anti-bacterial?
Bren says
No, I prefer not to use anti-bacterial hand soap.
Emie says
I had the same question but am curious why you prefer not to use anti-bacterial? With small kids am wondering if an anti-bacterial is necessary…
Bren says
Some bacteria is good for us, it helps kids develop healthy immune systems. Plus using antibacterial products allows resistant bacteria to develop. For these reasons I do not use antibacterial products, just standard cleaners such as soap and water.
Emie says
Thank you!
Karen says
I agree! I’ve done extensive research on this topic. Short version; Soap is (and always has been) formulated to kill unwanted bacteria and germs that need killing and only that need killing. Antibacterial products are definitely overkill and it’s making us sick. We’ve become hyper sensitive to the norms. This creates the need/abuse of antibiotics. Then we build up a resistance to those. It’s a horrible cycle.
My daughters step-mother is an elementary school teacher. She had introduced my daughter to this vicious cycle. I had a heck of a time finding a cure for her when she had strep throat with an ear infection.
Bren says
Thanks for commenting, Karen!
Summer Larrimore says
Can you add essential oils to this?
Bren says
You can add essential oils, however be aware that EOs are not water soluble so they can seperate and need to be shaken for each use. I prefer to use a scented castile soap to get scent.
Irene says
I love Essential Oils. May I add one table spoon of Organic Witch Hazel to mix the oil and water? Would it be okay for the skin?
Bren says
If you are using essential oils I would only use a few drops and shake before using. I love EOs too, but they are not water soluble so they can separate.
Kari says
I think the person above was asking about adding 1 tbsp of witch hazel to the water and Castile soap mixture to act as an agent to help keep the oils distributed within the water. Much like how you use vodka to distribute oil from lemon rinds or pine needles in your DIY lemon household cleaner.
Bren says
I’m uncertain the witch hazel would keep the oils fully suspended, I would mix the essential oils with a carrier oil. I prefer to keep it simple with just the liquid Castile soap and water.
September says
Do you have to reswirl the bottle or does it keep?
Bren says
September, I occasionally have to swirl the soap in our guest bathroom (it isn’t used often). The rest of the soaps stay mixed.
Jane says
Castile soap contains only olive oil, Bastille soap contains olive and coconut oil. Castile soap takes a very long time to come to trace, by adding the coconut oil, trace happens faster.
Castile is also very mild and can be used on very young and old skin.
Bren says
You are correct, Jane. Castile soap is all olive oil while Bastile contains olive oil with other vegetable oils. Today many manufacturers (and most non-soap makeing consumers) use the term Castile for both soaps. For example, Kirk’s Castile Liquid Soap is make with coconut oil and Dr Woods Liquid Castile Soap is make with coconut, hemp & olive oils.