Let’s be honest—most store-bought dish soaps are full of chemicals we can’t pronounce. If you’ve ever flipped over a bottle and wondered what “sodium lauryl sulfate” or “methylisothiazolinone” actually do, you’re not alone. In 2025, more people than ever are choosing to make their own household cleaners—including dish soap—for the sake of their health, the planet, and their wallets.
DIY dish soap isn’t just about going natural; it’s about control. You choose what goes in, from plant-based surfactants to essential oils. You can customize it to be tough on grease, gentle on hands, and even make it smell like your favorite herb garden! This guide is perfect for beginners who want to ditch toxic ingredients and create a safe, effective alternative. Let’s dive in—making your own dish soap is easier than you think.
Why Make Your Own Dish Soap?
Making your own dish soap offers several key benefits—first and foremost, safety. Commercial dishwashing liquids often contain harsh ingredients that can dry out your skin or harm aquatic ecosystems. With DIY soap, you can skip synthetic dyes, preservatives, and fragrances entirely.
Then there’s the sustainability factor. By making dish soap at home, you reduce plastic packaging waste and avoid supporting companies with questionable environmental practices. And let’s not forget the savings—homemade dish soap costs just a fraction of store-bought brands, especially when made in bulk.
Finally, crafting your own soap is empowering. You’ll learn new skills, discover the science behind cleaning, and maybe even spark a side hustle. It’s one small change that makes a big difference.
Key Ingredients for Homemade Dish Soap
While there are different recipes, most homemade dish soaps use a few foundational ingredients. The main cleansing agent is usually castile soap, a natural, plant-based soap that’s biodegradable and safe for skin. You can also use sal suds, which is a bit stronger and great for cutting grease.
Distilled water dilutes the soap for easy dispensing. To improve texture and cleaning power, many recipes include washing soda (sodium carbonate) or baking soda. Vegetable glycerin can be added for a moisturizing effect and to thicken the liquid. Essential oils like lemon, tea tree, orange, or lavender provide antimicrobial properties and a pleasant aroma.
Avoid vinegar in your dish soap recipe—it can cancel out the effectiveness of castile soap when mixed directly, due to its acidity.
Simple Dish Soap Recipe for Beginners
This beginner-friendly dish soap recipe is quick to make, gentle on skin, and effective on everyday grease and grime.
Ingredients:
-
1/2 cup liquid castile soap
-
1 1/2 cups distilled water
-
1 tablespoon washing soda (for extra cleaning power)
-
1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (optional, for thickness)
-
10–20 drops essential oil (lemon or tea tree are great choices)
Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, dissolve the washing soda into warm distilled water. Add the castile soap and glycerin, then stir gently until combined. Add your essential oils last and stir again. Pour the mixture into a clean soap dispenser or squeeze bottle. Shake gently before each use, as natural ingredients can separate over time.
This formula isn’t as thick as commercial dish soap, but it’s powerful and safe for daily use—especially if you pair it with a good scrub brush or sponge.
Troubleshooting and Tips for Better Results
Homemade dish soap can behave differently than store-bought versions, so here are a few tips to help you succeed. If your soap feels too watery, try increasing the washing soda slightly or adding more glycerin for thickness. If you notice soap scum or residue on dishes, your water may be hard—adding a tiny amount of citric acid or rinsing with vinegar can help (but not directly in the soap!).
Always test your soap on a few dishes before committing to a large batch. And remember, less is more—a little goes a long way, especially with castile-based soaps. Store your soap in a cool, dry place and use a clean bottle to avoid contamination.
Some people like to add a tiny bit of xanthan gum (just 1/8 teaspoon blended with glycerin) for a gel-like consistency. Feel free to experiment to find what works best for your kitchen routine.
Where to Get Supplies and Learn More
You can find castile soap, glycerin, and essential oils at most natural grocery stores, health shops, or online retailers like Amazon, Mountain Rose Herbs, or Bulk Apothecary. Look for concentrated, unscented versions of castile soap for the best results and flexibility with your scents.
Want to go deeper? Books like “Clean Mama’s Guide to a Healthy Home” or “The Naturally Clean Home” offer additional recipes and insights. Online forums, blogs, and YouTube tutorials are also fantastic places to pick up new ideas and troubleshoot issues.
As with any DIY craft, the more you learn and experiment, the better your results—and the more fun you’ll have doing it.
Conclusion
Making your own dish soap in 2025 is more than just a trend—it’s a smart, sustainable shift toward healthier living. With a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes of effort, you can create a powerful, customizable cleaning solution that works just as well (if not better!) than what’s sitting on grocery store shelves.
From citrus-scented sparkle to skin-friendly suds, DIY dish soap puts control back in your hands. Give it a try—you might just become obsessed with how easy, cheap, and effective homemade can be!