How to Make Homemade All-Natural Liquid Dish Soap
- wendyasmann
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
In today’s world, where we are more aware of the ingredients in our household products, making your own all-natural liquid dish soap is a smart way to reduce chemicals while keeping your dishes sparkling clean. This homemade dish soap recipe is easy to make, utilizing a few inexpensive ingredients, making it both affordable and an excellent way to reduce costs.

Our easy homemade all-natural dish soap recipe is simple to make, cuts through grease with ease, and leaves your dishes sparkling clean. With just a few natural ingredients, you can create a gentle yet powerful soap that's budget-friendly, eco-friendly, and produces a lovely lather- without the harsh chemicals found in store-bought brands.
Why Choose Homemade Dish Soap?
Creating your own dish soap has numerous advantages. First, you have full control over what goes into it. Many commercial options contain harsh chemicals, which can irritate your skin and harm the environment. With homemade dish soap, you can avoid synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives entirely.
One of the biggest advantages of making your own dish soap is how cost-effective it is. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up multiple batches for a fraction of the price of store-bought brands. Instead of buying new bottles every few weeks, you'll have what you need on hand to mix up another batch whenever you run low. Not only does this save you money over time, but it also helps reduce plastic waste and packaging. Making homemade dish soap is an eco-friendly choice that's gentle on both your budget and the environment.
Homemade Dish Soap Ingredients
To make your all-natural liquid dish soap, you'll need:
Sal Suds: Sal Suds is a versatile, plant-based cleanser similar to Castile Soap. It’s a great choice for homemade dish soap because it’s powerful enough to cut grease yet gentle on your hands and the environment. Sal Suds is highly concentrated and produces lots of bubbles, so just a small amount is enough to create a rich, lathering dish soap.
Vegetable Glycerin: Vegetable glycerin is a natural, plant-based liquid derived from oils such as coconut or soy. Used in homemade dish soap, it helps keep the soap from drying out, adds moisture to your hands, and improves the soap’s texture and lather.
Vinegar: Vinegar in homemade dish soap helps cut through grease and dissolve stuck-on food, making dishes easier to clean. It also helps reduce water spots and streaks when the dishes dry, leaving them looking clearer and shinier.
Essential Oils (optional): Although not necessary, a few drops of lemon essential oil will add a pleasant aroma and help cut grease. Tea tree oil is a great choice for an antibacterial.

Ingredients
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons Sal Suds
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
10-15 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
How To Make Homemade Dish Soap
In a large bowl, add the warm water.
Gently stir in the Sal Suds, stir gently to prevent creating excess bubbles
Mix in vinegar and glycerin, add essential oils, and gently stir.
Carefully pour into a clean 16-oz soap dispenser or an empty dish soap bottle.
I’m obsessed with these dish soap dispensers! The bamboo tray makes them extra cute, and they’re just right for keeping homemade dish soap handy and stylish. Click the highlighted text to shop!
Tips for Using Your Homemade Dish Soap
Now that you’ve created your all-natural liquid dish soap, consider these tips to maximize its effectiveness:
Use a Small Amount: A little bit goes a long way! Start with a small amount on your sponge or cloth and add more if needed.
Store out of Direct Sunlight: To increase the shelf life of your dish soap, keep it away from direct sunlight.
Shake Before Use: Since the ingredients may separate over time, give your bottle a gentle shake before each use to ensure everything mixes well.

The Benefits of Using Natural Ingredients
Choosing natural ingredients for your homemade dish soap has significant benefits for both your health and the environment. Here are a few key advantages:
Eco-Friendly
Homemade dish soap is biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals. This choice helps create a more sustainable household. By using this soap, you can reduce reliance on commercial products, which contribute to plastic waste and chemical runoff. In fact, studies show that around 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans each year, harming marine life.
Gentle on Skin
Many commercial dish soaps contain chemicals that cause skin irritation. By using natural ingredients, you can create a dish soap that is gentle on your skin, which is especially helpful for those with sensitivities.
Cost-Effective
Making your own dish soap is often cheaper than purchasing commercial options. Buying Sals Suds, or Castile soap in bulk, can result in savings of 20-30% compared to buying individual bottles over time, and it enables you to create multiple batches.
Personal Story: My Journey to Homemade Dish Soap
When I first ventured into making my own dish soap, I was tired of purchasing the commercial versions that often ran out quickly and left my hands feeling dry. After researching, I found this simple recipe and decided to give it a try.
I was initially skeptical. Could something so easy really work? But after my first batch, I was delighted! It cut through grease flawlessly, had lots of suds, and I loved the fresh, natural scent of lemon. I’m going to try adding a few drops of clove essential oil in the fall.

Common Questions About Homemade Dish Soap
Can I Use Any Type of Soap?
While Sal Suds is recommended, you can substitute Castile soap, though it won’t produce as many suds or cut grease as well. Sal Suds is a stronger, more concentrated cleaner (technically a plant-based detergent). It's effective at cutting grease and creates more suds.
How Long Does Homemade Dish Soap Last?
If stored properly, homemade dish soap can last from several weeks to a few months. Always check for changes in smell or consistency before using to ensure it remains effective.
Can I Use This Soap for Other Cleaning Purposes?
Certainly! This all-natural liquid dish soap is versatile and can be used for a variety of tasks, such as washing fruits and vegetables, cleaning countertops, and even as a mild laundry detergent.
Making your own all-natural liquid dish soap is a rewarding experience that promotes a healthier home and environment. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a powerful cleaning solution that tackles grease with ease, so why not give it a shot? You may find that you enjoy the process just as much as the outcome. Plus, you'll be helping reduce waste and avoid harmful chemicals in your space. Happy dishwashing!
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