Making homemade bar soap is straightforward. Most ingredients are easy to find (lye may need to be ordered online), and cold process soap requires only about ten minutes of work before it is left to cure for several weeks. If you prefer a faster option, hot process soap can be completed in a single afternoon.
Liquid soap is less commonly made at home because it requires a different kind of lye and a more involved process. However, there’s an even simpler method that turns a bar of soap into liquid soap using only soap, water, and a bit of optional fragrance.
This easy technique takes a favorite bar of handmade soap and dissolves it into a liquid form. I like to add a few drops of essential oils for scent and extra benefits.
Here are a few reasons I make liquid soap from bars:
- All natural. Homemade liquid soap lets you avoid unwanted chemicals and control every ingredient.
- Kid-friendly. Liquid soap is less likely to slip away or end up on the floor compared with bars.
- More economical. Essential oils are used more efficiently in liquid soap; fewer drops provide noticeable scent compared with bar soap, where some fragrance can be lost during saponification.
- Customizable. Making small batches lets you change scents and blends frequently—lavender and frankincense, for example, can be helpful for facial care, while peppermint or other invigorating oils work well in morning routines.
Some caution that turning bar soap into liquid soap may increase the risk of spoilage. To reduce that risk, add a small preservative like grapefruit seed extract or include antibacterial essential oils.
Once you learn this simple method, you may prefer homemade liquid soap over store-bought options. It’s an easy way to reduce chemicals and tailor soap to your preferences.
DIY Homemade Liquid Hand Soap
- What you need:
- 1 bar of your favorite homemade soap
- Water
- Soap dispenser or jar
- Vegetable grater
- Grapefruit seed extract (optional preservative)
- Essential oils (optional)
Directions:
- Grate the soap using a vegetable or cheese grater.
- Loosely pack the soap shavings into a jar or the soap dispenser you plan to use.
- Add enough water to just cover the soap shavings.
- Let the mixture sit overnight at room temperature.
- By morning the soap should have dissolved into a gel or liquid. If it’s thicker than you prefer, stir in a little more water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Add about 1/4 teaspoon of grapefruit seed extract to help prevent spoilage, if desired.
- If you like, add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance. Popular choices include grapefruit for a bright scent, lavender or frankincense for gentle skincare, peppermint for an invigorating wash, or blends designed for handwashing during cold and flu season.
Your homemade liquid soap is now ready to use. Store it at room temperature and shake or stir before use if it separates.
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