How to Make Natural Liquid Hand Soap

Liquid soap can be expensive. By making your own liquid soap using natural ingredients you can bring the cost way down while also controlling exactly what ingredients you are using on your skin. If you plan to make liquid soap often, consider gathering supplies that you only use with your soap making so you do not risk leaving soap residue in your kitchen equipment.

1. Find a bar of vegetable-based or pure soap. Ivory is a good choice for this project, or any soap made from vegetable oils.


2. Grate the bar of soap. You can either use an old box grater or you can grind the soap in a food processor. If you choose to use a food processor, place a hand towel over the food processor as it is running to keep the soap dust contained. Be sure to wash the food processor thoroughly before using it again with food items.


3. Heat the grated soap in a saucepan over medium heat with 1 1/2 cups of water. Gradually, the soap will melt into the water.


4. Add five to six drops of any essential oil into the soap and water mixture. You can use any essential oil that you like. The essential oil adds fragrance to the soap, but can also add other properties. Citrus essential oils such as lemon, orange and grapefruit smell fresh and clean and also add disinfectant properties, for example.


5. Add any other ingredients you wish into the soap mixture. Glycerin helps to add moisturizing properties to the soap. Some people also add vegetable oils in small amounts to boost the soap's moisture.


6. Remove the soap from the burner once it is completely melted.


7. Let the soap cool completely before pouring it into soap dispensers. Use the soap as you would any other liquid hand soap.