Homemade Dish Soap

A simple, low-cost dish liquid made with liquid Castile soap. It cuts everyday grease, rinses clean, and takes about 15 minutes to make — no harsh chemicals and no long ingredient list.

Quick facts: About 500 ml makes; 15 minutes prep time; Use within 2-3 weeks; Hand wash only — NOT for dishwasher.

Good to know: This is a gentle everyday dish liquid for washing by hand. It makes fewer bubbles than shop-bought washing-up liquid — fewer bubbles does not mean it is cleaning less.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) distilled water, warm
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) liquid Castile soap
• 1 tablespoon washing soda
• 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin (optional, for extra bubbles and softer hands)
• 10-15 drops lemon or tea tree essential oil (optional, for scent)

You will need:

• A clean pump or squeeze bottle, about 500 ml
• A jug or large measuring cup
• A spoon or small whisk
• A funnel
• A label and pen

Step-by-Step Method

1. Warm the water. Pour the warm distilled water into the jug. Warm — not boiling — water helps the washing soda dissolve fully.
2. Dissolve the washing soda. Stir in the washing soda until the water looks clear and no grains remain at the bottom.
3. Add the Castile soap slowly. Pour the liquid Castile soap in a thin stream, stirring gently. Stir, do not whisk hard — hard whisking creates foam that is difficult to bottle.
4. Add the extras. Stir in the glycerin and essential oil, if using, until evenly mixed.
5. Bottle and rest. Use the funnel to pour the mixture into your bottle. Leave it to rest for 12-24 hours — it may thicken slightly as it settles.
6. Label it. Write ‘Homemade Dish Soap’ and the date you made it on the label. Shake gently before each use if it separates.

How to Use It

• Put 1-2 pumps on a wet sponge, or add a small squirt to a sink of hot water
• Wash glasses first, then plates and cutlery, and greasy pans last
• For baked-on grease, soak the pan in hot water with a squirt of the soap for 15-20 minutes before washing
• Rinse with clean hot water and leave dishes to air-dry on a rack

For extra shine on glasses: Rinse with a splash of white vinegar in the rinse water. Keep vinegar in the rinse only — do not mix vinegar into the soap bottle, because vinegar breaks down Castile soap and leaves a white film.

Safety and Storage Checklist

• Hand washing only — never use this in a dishwasher; it can over-foam and leak
• Label the bottle clearly with the name and the date made
• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• Do not mix with bleach or other cleaners
• Do not add vinegar to the bottle — use it only in rinse water
• Stop using it if it causes skin irritation; wear gloves if you have sensitive skin
• Store in a cool place away from direct sunlight
• Make a small fresh batch every 2-3 weeks; discard any leftovers after that
• Test on delicate, painted or hand-painted dishes on a small area first

Looking for more free printables? See all free printables on our Cleaning Resources page.