How to Make Homemade Hand Soap Using Dish Soap

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Things You'll Need

  • Pump bottle

  • Funnel

  • Liquid dish detergent

  • Water

  • Hand lotion (optional)

Make easy, inexpensive hand soap from dish soap.

Liquid hand soap in a pump dispenser is more attractive and easier to use than bar soap. You can make homemade hand soap using dish soap inexpensively to fill a regular or foaming pump dispenser. Choose a mild dish detergent for everyday home use or one with a strong degreaser for use in the garage or shop. Recycle a soap or lotion pump dispenser, or buy one new. Add hand lotion to the mix for smoother skin or to enhance the scent.

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Step 1

Remove the pump apparatus from the bottle. Wash, rinse and drain the bottle and pump, if necessary.

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Step 2

Set the bottle upright on a flat surface and place the funnel into the opening.

Step 3

Fill the bottle 1/4 to 1/3 full with liquid dish soap.

Step 4

Add 1 to 2 tsp. of hand lotion, if desired. Please note that you don't need to measure the lotion; just add a little to the soap.

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Step 5

Add water until the bottle is nearly full. Remove the funnel.

Step 6

Hold the bottle in one hand and cover the opening securely with your thumb. Gently turn the bottle over and back upright several times to mix the contents or shake vigorously to make foaming hand wash.

Step 7

Screw the pump lid securely on the bottle. Hold the bottle over the sink and push the pump down a few times to prime the pump for use.

Tip

Exact measurements are not critical. You can substitute shampoo or body wash for the dish soap. If your mixture is too thin, add a little more dish soap.

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