As a person who tries to reduce single-use plastics in my home, learning how to make my own dish soap bars has been a game changer for my family! Not only do they work incredibly well, but these DIY soap bars can be tailored with scents of the seasons. Plus, crafting cold process soap is a really empowering skill to know, and they make incredible DIY gifts!
Why Soap Bars?
Aside from the reduction of plastic, dish soap bars are effective, and frankly, I find joy in both the making and using of them. Soap bars act as a surfactant, meaning they break the surface tension of water, helping to encapsulate oils, dirt, and, in this case, food particles, so that they can be easily washed away with water. The high pH and essential oils in this soap also help to neutralize bacteria as it works.
Autumn Leaves Soap Blend
Crafted with layers of aromas that many of us enjoy during the fall, this recipe brings the aromatic elements of petrichor (damp earth), fresh spices, and uplifting top notes to balance and brighten dishwashing time! I also added cinnamon powder to create a warm speckled color and added grit. Lastly, I included the extra cleaning and scrubbing power of borax. For those of you who don’t know much about this magical green cleaning ingredient, borax, also known as sodium borate, is a natural mineral commonly used in laundry and dish soaps for its ability to deep clean.
Homemade Dish Soap Bars: Fall Leaves Scent
Makes approximately four 2-ounce bars of soap. (Number of bars will vary depending on your molds.)
Tools
- Tempered glass measuring cups
- Stainless steel pot
- Gloves and goggles
- 2 Thermometers
- Kitchen whisk
- Kitchen scale
- Soap mold of your choice
Ingredients
Directions
- While wearing safety goggles and gloves, add lye to purified water and stir well (always add lye to the liquid, not the other way around).
- A natural thermal reaction will occur. Set aside and allow to cool to 100°F - 125°F.
- Meanwhile, combine the coconut and castor oil in a stainless-steel pot and heat gently until melted. Allow temperature to drop to 100°F - 125°F.
- Once both have reached the temperature range, combine lye solution and melted oils, being careful not to splash.
- Whisk the mixture until it starts to turn into a pudding-like texture and stir marks remain in the mixture for several seconds (also referred to as “tracing”).
- Typically, this will take no more than 15 minutes. If it hasn’t reached the desired consistency, take a break for 15 minutes and then try stirring again for another 5.
- Once you have reached trace, add borax, cinnamon powder, and essential oils.
- Stir until combined.
- Pour soap into molds.
- Check hardness after 3 days and continue checking daily until they are hard.
- Once hard, remove from mold.
- Place bars on a cooling rack or another surface that will allow them to breathe.
- Rotate every few days to allow for even curing.
- Cure for at least 4 weeks before using.
Pro Tips for Safely Crafting Soap
- Always make lye-based soap in a well-ventilated area. I like adding the lye to the water outdoors and will leave it outside for about 5 minutes. This also helps it cool faster.
- Pets and children should not be within reach of lye at any time.
- You can pour soap into upcycled small bowls or shallow mugs instead of molds. It will take a bit longer to cure, so be sure to wait at least 4 full weeks before using.
- For other soap making tips, tricks, and safety information, please see the pro tips in our herbal soap making blog.
Pro Tips for Using Dish Soap Bars
- To keep your dish soap bar fresh, be sure to drain any excess water from the soap holder after each use so it can dry between uses.
- As you use the soap, it will get more white due to the borax. This is normal.
- I like to use a "grater plate" to hold my soap bars in place while using. You can find these in specialty kitchen shops, often near garlic processing tools.
Looking for more DIY Soap Recipes?
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