For a long, long time, I bought hand soap on an almost weekly basis, usually either a store brand (if I was feeling cheap), or a more expensive brand from a specialty store.
Then I started reading the ingredients. The soaps my family and I had been using contained multiple unpronounceable ingredients. For example, virtually all conventional hand soaps (and most other conventional body cleansers) contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a known neurotoxin (For more information, visit the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website).
Like many changes in our household, the decision to use a more natural hand soap was born out of concern for toxic ingredients, but also out of the need to find a less expensive alternative.
Instead of costly and chemical-laden traditional hand soap, I use a combination of Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap and plain water.
All you need to make your own liquid handsoap is a reusable foaming pump like this one from Amazon, and a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s — any type.
Fill up the foaming pump bottle 3/4 full with plain tap water. Add 2 tbsp of Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap and about 10 drops Tea Tree Oil. That’s it!
Since there is only .5 oz in each tablespoon, and Dr. Bronner’s is $.40/oz at Amazon right now, you are only paying $.80 for each bottle of hand soap you make. Considering an average store-bought dispenser of hand soap costs between $2 and $6, that is quite a savings, especially if your family is like mine and does a LOT of hand washing.
I’ll be honest — there are plenty of other recipes floating around cyberspace for making your own liquid hand soap. I like my Dr. Bronner’s mixture because I think it’s the easiest. When I run out, all I have to do is fill up the container with water, add a tbsp of soap, and screw the top back on. I can’t see myself making anything that involves boiling soap scrapings. I never thought I would talk on the internet about Mama Cloth either, though, so never say never!
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Thank you so much for this idea. My husband and I use so much hand soap and this would help us so much. I have to wash my hands a lot since I have a daughter in diapers and I take care of another one in diapers as well.
With two little ones, we do a lot of hand washing in our house too.
Thanks for dropping by! Following you back!
-Amy
Crafting by Candlelight
We use a Dr. B's/water mix, too! (Except I was using a lot more soap than 1T. Good to know I can cut back!)
Neat idea! Thanks for sharing this!
Hi! Stopping by from MBC. Great blog!
Have a nice day!
Thanks for sharing! New follower here. Please follow back!
Jen
http://www.onecoollunch.blogspot.com
I’ve been doing this for a couple years now. I thought I was the only one!
It is so easy and works great! You can use a scented Dr Bronners soap or add a drop of essential oil to it. I’ve had guests comment on how great our hand soap smells.
Thanks for this–always looking for naturual and inexpensive alternatives. I bet I could add essential oils for a wonderful smell, too!
Absolutely! I usually use the almond Dr. Bronner’s b/c I just like the smell.
I’ve been doing this for year. Just this winter I started adding a few drops of glycerin to each refill to help make the soap more moisturizing.