How to make liquid hand soap that is safe, naturally anti-microbial, and free of chemicals that strip probiotics and oils from the skin. Are any brands of liquid hand soap safe?
Hand soap from a dispenser is certainly more convenient and far less messy than bar soap.
However, the brands on the market are without exception (according to my scan of the available brands) best avoided.
Chemicals that strip the skin of protective probiotics as well as posing a health risk seem to be “industry standard” for this type of product.
The worst of the worst is antibacterial liquid hand soap.
Not only do these products contain hormone-disrupting chemicals such as triclosan, but they also are contributing in a big way to the development of antibiotic-resistant superbugs like MRSA.
Thus, while bar soap and water are best…like our grandparents used…the convenience of liquid soap from a dispenser is still attractive to minimize sink residues and a watery mess.
What to do?
The life hack that I’ve used for years for safe liquid hand soap is to make it yourself.
There just isn’t any other option that I’ve come across yet that is both convenient AND safe.
Here’s how to do the same at your house if you’d like to give it a go.
Buy Foaming Liquid Hand Soap
The first step is to buy two or three single-use foaming liquid hand soap containers from the supermarket.
Don’t worry. We won’t be using the toxic liquid inside!
Dump Out the Liquid Soap
The next step is to empty each of these liquid soap dispensers.
Then, rinse each of them out thoroughly.
This may seem crazy and a waste of money at first, but stay with me here as we move to the next step.
Refill Dispensers with Safe Soap
The next step is to fill each empty hand soap dispenser one-third full with unscented liquid castile soap.
I buy this brand or this brand.
Then, top each one up with filtered water.
*Using filtered water rather than tap water avoids probiotic-stripping chlorine and having it absorb into your bloodstream, harming probiotics elsewhere in the body.
Believe it or not, your hands absorb virtually all of the chlorine from the tap water that contacts them.
Chlorine also strips probiotics from the skin contributing to chapping and painful fissures.
Add Safe Fragrance & Color
This next step is optional.
Add a few drops of the essential oil you choose if you prefer a fragrance to your hand soap.
Note that scented castile soap is also available with essential oils already added such as peppermint, almond, lavender, and tea tree.
You may wish to add them yourself, however, to get the exact fragrance you prefer.
Another option is to add a few drops of nontoxic color to match your decor!
Refill and Reuse Dispensers
When each liquid hand soap dispenser is empty, refill it with more castile soap and filtered water with optional essential oils.
In my experience, each single-use hand soap dispenser from the supermarket can be refilled and reused 3-5 times before the foaming plunger no longer works effectively.
When this happens, recycle the broken dispensers.
Then, start over with a new hand soap dispenser as described above.
Non-Foaming Liquid Hand Soap Dispensers
What if you prefer non-foaming liquid hand soap?
In that case, buy the regular liquid hand soap dispensers of your choice, empty them, and refill as described above.
You can also buy decorative hand soap dispensers that match the decor of your bathroom and kitchen.
The bottom line is to use whichever type of liquid hand soap dispenser you prefer.
Whatever you choose, the important point is to fill those dispensers one-third with castile soap and then top up with filtered water instead of tap.
This makes for a truly safe, healthy, economical, and effective hand soap that you can feel good about using no matter how many times a day you wash your hands.
I hope you find this life hack helpful to enjoy the convenience of liquid hand soap in your home in the safest, most economical way possible!
Hello, thanks for the article. I also have been using the Bronner’s castile soap, in the mason jar with the adapted lid. I use this for my hands, but find it drying for use for bathing. Do you have a soap recommendation for showering with that is not as drying? Thank you.
A tallow soap is great for that …. but you don’t soap up the whole body. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/showering-correctly/
Do you have a recommendation for a soap that doesn’t contain Coconut oil like these two? Coconut oil makes my skin dry and causes an allergic rash.
I don’t have an alternative identified at this time that is coconut oil free.
I’ve been using diluted liquid Castile soap as hand soap for a number of years now after hearing a former co-worker say he uses it for everything that requires soap. I also use it undiluted as a body wash and shampoo. I have chemical sensitivities and can’t use most commercial products, so this works perfectly for me.
I don’t like how castle soap coats my sink. Does it still do that when it is diluted like this?
I don’t have any issues with that.
Been doing this for years except I mix tea tree, eucalyptus, and peppermint castille soaps. Very economical and gentle enough to wash my face! I get headaches from artificial scents. You can buy the foaming soap dispenser bottles on Amazon in a few shapes and sizes. It is easier if you add the water first and not too quickly so it doesn’t foam while you try to refill.
I should’ve mentioned I’ve used the same dispensers for at least 3yrs at a time with lots of refills (we have 3 bathrooms and a constant full house). Occasionally they would get clogged but I would just spray the nozzle with water and remove any hardened bits. The only reason I replaced them recently was bc the nozzle finish looked a little worn. Still better than tossing after one use though! And I haven’t graduated to glass because of children occasionally knocking the bottles over though likely the jar kind wouldn’t break unless it fell to the floor.
I’ve read that castile soap can clog your drains if you have hard water. I heard about making your own hand soap years ago, but have been afraid to try it because I have very hard water. Any validity to this claim? Thanks.
We have very hard water at our house (we have a well). We have never had a problem in over 30 years. Maybe if you used it full strength? This recipe is diluted because liquid castile soap is so concentrated.
Sadly Castile soap bars and Castile liquid soap contain Palm Oil, the production of which is devastating rain forests. Please don’t encourage the use of products containing Palm Oil.
Regards
Liz
I address palm oil’s sustainability in this article. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-many-shades-of-palm-oil/
You can purchase a top and foaming spout for a mason jar. Add Dr. Bronner’s 1/3 and water to the top.
That’s what we have done for the last 6 years.
Love this idea! I also really like the look of a mason jar. My only issue with glass is the danger from breakage in a bathroom with tile floors. Perhaps now that the kids are grown, I can try this 🙂