I’ve always been curious about dish soap bars. As a person who tries to reduce single-use plastics in my home, dish soap was one of the areas that needed some work. In full transparency, I had the same doubts I had when I made my homemade liquid laundry soap with soap nuts. Luckily in both cases, I was wrong and can once and for all ditch another source of plastic in my home!

How Do Soap Bars Work?

The method of creating homemade dish soap is the same as making body soap but with more grease-fighting ingredients. Like other kinds of soaps, soap bars act as a surfactant to help break the surface tension of water and essentially encapsulate oils, dirt, and, in this case, food particles so that they can be washed away with water. The high pH and essential oils in this soap also help to neutralize bacteria as it works. 

Warming Winter Soap Blend

This nutmeg, ginger, and lemon blend is delightful during the cold and dreary winter months. Not only does lemon essential oil offer an uplifting and mood-supporting aroma, but it is also exceptional for cleaning and cutting grease. The nutmeg and ginger were added to help with odors and bacteria. I also called upon cinnamon powder to add a warm speckled color, subtle scent, and added grit. Lastly, I added the extra scrubbing power of borax. For those of you that don’t know much about this magical green cleaning ingredient, borax is a naturally occurring mineral, also known as sodium borate. While you definitely don’t want to be ingesting it, it’s commonly used in laundry and dish soaps for its ability to deep clean.

Homemade Dish Soap Bars: Winter Spice Scent

Makes approximately four 2-ounce bars of soap.

Tools

• Cheesecloth or strainer
• Tempered glass measuring cups
• Stainless steel pot
• Gloves and goggles
• 2 Thermometers
• Kitchen whisk
• White vinegar for lye spills
• Kitchen scale
• Soap mold of your choice

Ingredients

• 60 grams purified water 
• 32 grams lye
• 125 grams organic unrefined coconut oil
• 50 grams organic castor oil
• 28 grams borax powder
• 1-3 grams organic cinnamon powder
• 20 drops organic lemon essential oil
• 20 drops organic nutmeg essential oil
• 10 drops organic ginger essential oil or fresh ginger essential oil 

Directions

1. While wearing safety goggles and gloves, add lye to purified water and stir well (always add lye into the liquid, not the other way around).
2. A natural thermal reaction will occur. Set aside and allow to cool to 100°F - 125°F.
3. 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.
4. Once both have reached the temperature range, combine lye solution and melted oils, being careful not to splash.
5. 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”).
6. Typically, this will take no more than 15 minutes. If it hasn’t reached desired consistency, take a break for 15 minutes and then try stirring again for another 5.
7. Once you have reached trace, add borax, cinnamon powder and essential oils.
8. Stir until combined.
9. Pour soap into molds.
10. Check hardness after 3 days and continue checking daily until they are hard.
11. Once hard, remove from mold.
12. Place bars on a cooling rack or another surface that will allow them to breathe.
13. Rotate every few days to allow for even curing.
14. Cure for at least 4 weeks before using. 
    
    

Pro Tips

• 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. 
• 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.
• To keep your dish soap bar fresh, be sure to drain any excess water from the soap holder so it can dry between uses.
• If a spill occurs, use vinegar to help balance the pH and clean while wearing gloves. 
• The more cinnamon you use, the darker the bar will be. Three grams is the most I recommend using in this recipe. 
  
  

Looking for more DIY Soap Recipes?

Try This Homemade Foaming Hand Soap for Fall

• DIY Shampoo Bar Recipe with Nettles
• How to Make Bars of Soap with Herbs
• How to Clean Your Home Naturally with Lemon Essential Oil