DIY Dish Soap Recipe: Make Your Own Natural and Effective Dishwashing Solution

Let’s dive into crafting a simple yet effective DIY dish soap using wholesome ingredients: water, kosher salt, Sal Suds or Castile soap, lemon, and vegetable glycerin. I'll walk you through what each ingredient does and how this homemade solution is kind to both your hands and the planet.

Making your own dish soap is a fantastic way to control what goes into your cleaning products. Commercial soaps often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your skin and the environment. By switching to a homemade recipe, you ensure that your dishwashing routine is safe, effective, and eco-friendly. Plus, there's something incredibly satisfying about knowing exactly what's in the products you use every day!

Let’s break down each ingredient in our DIY dish soap and discover the magic they bring to the mix:

• Water

  • Role: Acts as the base of your dish soap, providing the necessary liquid medium for the other ingredients.

• Kosher Salt

  • Role: Enhances the soap’s effectiveness by acting as a natural cleaner and deodorizer. It helps in cutting through grease and removing stains.

  • Environmental Impact: Kosher salt is sustainable and biodegradable, making it a perfect additive that doesn’t harm aquatic life when washed down the drain.

• Sal Suds or Castile Soap

  • Role: These are gentle, plant-based soaps that provide the cleaning power needed to remove food residue and grease from your dishes. Sal Suds is a stronger degreaser than Castile. Your choice!

  • Environmental Impact: Both Sal Suds and Castile soap are biodegradable and free from synthetic fragrances and dyes, ensuring they break down naturally without polluting waterways.

• Lemon + Lemon Essential Oil

  • Role: Adds a fresh, natural scent and brings antibacterial properties to your dish soap. Lemon juice also helps in cutting through tough grease and leaving dishes sparkling clean.

  • Environmental Impact: Lemons adds a natural, non-toxic element to your cleaning routine. Compost them if you compost or save the used lemon for making an All-Purpose Cleaner or Citrus Cutting Board Cleaner.

• Vegetable Glycerin

  • Role: Acts as a moisturizer, preventing your hands from drying out during dishwashing. It also helps in thickening the soap, giving it a pleasant consistency.

  • Environmental Impact: Derived from plant oils, vegetable glycerin is renewable and biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic moisturizers.

Ready to get started? Here’s a simple recipe to whip up your own batch of natural dish soap:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of distilled water

• 1 tablespoon of kosher salt

• 1/2 cup of Sal Suds or Castile soap

• 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin

• 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil, optional

Instructions:

1. Combine Water and Salt: In a mixing bowl, dissolve the kosher salt in the distilled water. This creates a powerful base that helps in cutting through grease.

2. Add the Soap: Slowly stir in the Sal Suds or Castile soap. These gentle soaps will effectively clean your dishes without harsh chemicals.

3. Incorporate Lemon Juice: Mix in the lemon juice for its natural antibacterial properties and fresh scent.

4. Add Vegetable Glycerin: Stir in the vegetable glycerin to moisturize your hands and thicken the soap for a luxurious feel.

5. Add in the Lemon Essential Oil: Finally, add 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil and stir to combine.

6. Transfer to a Bottle: Pour the mixture into a clean, recycled bottle. Shake well before each use to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Tips for the Best Results

• Shake Before Use: Since natural ingredients can separate over time, give your bottle a good shake before each dishwashing session.

• Store Properly: Keep your homemade dish soap in a cool, dry place to maintain its effectiveness and longevity.

• Adjust as Needed: Feel free to tweak the recipe by adding more lemon juice for extra cleaning power or a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a personalized scent.

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