One simple step towards a less toxic home is this DIY foaming hand soap. With only two ingredients, not only is it a healthier version to store-bought options, but it’s budget-friendly as well!
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WHY MAKE YOUR OWN HAND SOAP?
Let’s start off with why would anyone would want to make a DIY foaming hand soap? Two reasons: less toxins and to save money.
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LESS TOXINS IS BETTER
If you’ve ever read the ingredients on most hand soaps on the store shelves, you may find a long list. Most of those ingredients aren’t necessary for the cleaning of hands {or any other body part}. Many have been added as part of the fragrance or to help make the soap shelf stable. Neither of these things add anything health to our homes or our bodies.
It may seem like a silly thing to replace in your home, but just think about all the times hands are washed each day. By switching out hand soap, it’s one more step towards a less toxic environment for your body and your home. We are surrounded by so many toxins, that any “little” thing we can do to lessen that is a good thing for our health.
Antibacterial soaps are especially ones to avoid. As humans, our microbiome is comprised of bacteria and it is an amazing how the health of our gut affects our overall health. Our skin is our largest organ and seeking to destroy every bit of bacteria is damaging the good bacteria as well. This is why we do not use anything labeled antibacterial in our home.
DIY FOAMING HAND SOAP SAVES MONEY
This recipe contains only two ingredients: water and castile soap. Water is “free” and I prefer to use our filtered Berkey water to make this foaming hand soap. {Click HERE for info about our Berkey!} Castile soap is a concentrate and a little really does go a long way.
Every few months, I purchase a 32 ounce bottle of castile soap that I use to make this hand soap, laundry detergent, and toothpaste. There are 5 of us using all three of these DIY items every single day. By always having plenty of castile soap on hand, I don’t have to worry about running out of any of these products because I can simply make more of them.
HAND SOAP INGREDIENTS
Water {You can use any water that you’d like, but I prefer to use filtered water from our Berkey.}
Castile Soap {I’ve used a few kinds, but have settled on THIS ONE due to the lower cost, but without compromising on quality.}
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WHAT IS CASTILE SOAP?
The name comes from oil-based soaps made in Castile, Spain. Traditionally, it was made with olive-oil. Some still include olive oil, like the Quinn’s brand I use. It also is made with certified organic argan, jojoba and hemp oils and is 100% biodegradable.
I prefer an unscented castile soap, but scents are available. Be sure to check that the scent is created by using an oil and not a “natural flavor/scent” as that can be quite ambiguous and may not be as non-toxic as you were hoping it would be.
WHY TURN CASTILE SOAP INTO FOAM
Simply put into any soap dispenser, the combination of water and castile soap would produce a watery soap. By using a foaming soap dispenser, the castile soap lasts a lot longer. There is less waste by making it foam, but no less quality of soap to wash one’s hands with.
Through the years, I’ve used various foaming hand soap dispensers. Many last a few months and then stop producing foam. But the latest one I purchased has been amazing. There have been zero issues with it and I think we found “the one.” Plus, from a distance, the brown-tinted plastic looks like an auburn glass soap bottle.
DIY FOAMING HAND SOAP RECIPE
By only using two ingredients, this recipe is quite simple to make. Using whatever foaming soap dispenser you have, fill it 1/4 of the way with castile soap. Fill it almost to the top with water. Be sure to leave a little room for the foam pump so that it does not overflow when you place the top inside.
Also, a word of caution: fill your container with water slowly. If using a faucet, turn it to a lower setting. If pouring water in, do it slowly. Castile soap begins to bubble and foam when met with any type of force.
And that’s it! Both ingredients in, top screwed on, and give it a quick shake to mix. Now you’re ready to use this soap anywhere in your home! I’ve been known to use it in the bathroom, shower, and kitchen of our home.
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ADDING ESSENTIAL OILS
An option to customize the scent or purpose of your foaming hand soap, is to add essential oils. Because I prefer unscented products and mostly use this soap just to wash our hands, I haven’t experimented with essential oils. But I imagine that they are a great option if you prefer a scented hand soap.
I hope this simple foaming hand soap recipe finds its way into your home. It really is an effective solution to reducing toxins and saving money!
You may also enjoy these posts:
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- Our Half Bath and Laundry Room Makeover
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