This homemade dish soap recipe is made with ingredients that are more eco-friendly than the ones you find in many store bought dish detergents. It’s easy to make at home and will save you money, too.
Most dish wash you see in stores has ingredients that aren’t so good for the environment and may not be great for you, either. When you make your own, you know your dishes are getting clean while you avoid those ingredients.
Why Choose Homemade Dish Soap?
You might be wondering why anyone would want to make their own dish soap.
Healthier for You and the Environment
Commercial dish soaps often contain harsh chemicals like sulfates, fragrances, and dyes that can be harmful to both human health and the environment. Plus, people can be allergic to nearly anything, so there may be one particular ingredient you’re trying to avoid.
By making your own dish soap, you have control over the ingredients, and you know you’re using a safer and more eco-friendly cleaning solution.
Cost-effective
Store-bought dish soaps can actually be expensive, especially if you wash a lot of dishes or use it for other cleaning, too. Making your own dish soap is not only healthier but also more cost-effective.
With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a large batch of homemade dish soap that will last you a long time.
Customizable Scents
Commercial dish soaps come in limited scents, and hardly any of them are fragrance free anymore. Homemade dish soap allows you to experiment with different essential oils and create your own signature scent.
You can choose from refreshing citrus notes to soothing lavender aromas, making your dishwashing experience more enjoyable. Or you can go fragrance free if you prefer.
Benefits of Ingredients Used
Sal Suds
Sal Suds is a multi-purpose cleaner made by Dr. Bronner’s. It is a biodegradable and environmentally friendly product that can be used for various cleaning tasks, such as dishes, laundry, household surfaces, and even as a body wash. Sal Suds is known for its strong cleaning power and effectiveness in removing dirt, grease, and stains.
Distilled Water
Using distilled water in the recipe helps prevent mineral build-up that can occur with tap water. This way, your homemade dish soap stays effective longer and doesn’t leave any residue on your dishes.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is known for its natural cleaning properties. It helps remove grease, stains, and odors while adding additional antibacterial properties to your homemade dish soap.
Essential Oils (Optional)
Adding essential oils to your homemade dish soap can give it a lovely scent. Some oils, like tea tree oil, even have antibacterial properties. Some popular choices include lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil.
Tips for Using Homemade Dish Soap
Use Sparingly
This dish soap is concentrated, so you’ll only need a small amount for each wash. Start with a dime-sized amount and adjust as needed.
Store Properly
To make sure it lasts, store your soap in a cool and dry place with a tightly sealed lid. This will prevent any unwanted evaporation or contamination.
Shake Well Before Use
As the ingredients may separate over time, shake the bottle well before each use to make sure ingredients are evenly distribution.
Pre-rinse Dishes
If you’re dealing with particularly greasy or heavily soiled dishes, it’s wise to give them a quick pre-rinse before applying homemade dish soap. This will help loosen any stuck-on food particles and improve cleaning efficiency.
Experiment with Essential Oils
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different essential oil combinations to find scents you love. Remember to start with a few drops and adjust according to personal preference.
Homemade Dish Soap Recipe
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of homemade dish soap let’s move on to the recipe itself. This simple recipe requires just a few natural ingredients that you may already have in your pantry:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of Sal Suds
- 1 cup of distilled water
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon jojoba oil (optional – good for the skin on your hands)
- 10-20 drops of essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
- In a bowl or container, combine the Sal Suds and distilled water.
- Stir gently until well mixed.
- Add the white vinegar and jojoba oil to the mixture.
- Stir again to incorporate all the ingredients thoroughly.
- If desired, add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance.
- Pour the mixture into a bottle with a tight-fitting lid for storage.
- Shake well before each use.