Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap

Save money and reduce waste by creating your own foaming soap. It’s one of the easiest ways to create a greener and healthier you.

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March 13, 2020
One Hand Pumping Foaming Soap From Dispenser Into Other Hand

DIY Foaming Hand Soap

The Crafty Lumberjacks show you how to make your own foaming hand soap to cut down on single-use plastic.

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Photo by: Caitlin Dabbs

Caitlin Dabbs

Materials + Supplies

  • essential oil blend (see suggestions below)
  • water

Create Essential Oil Blend

Winter Warmer

  • cedar - 10 drops
  • pine - 5 drops
  • cardamom - 3 drops

Spiced Apple Cider

  • apple - 10 drops
  • clove - 3 drops
  • cinnamon - 3 drops

Start by blending a mix of essential oils in a small glass. You can use the measurements above to match the scents we created or mix your own. Remember that essential oils are extremely concentrated and that some oils can be more harsh on skin than others — always use fewer than 10 drops per oil and test any product you create with them for sensitivities. Cinnamon, orange, clove, eucalyptus and peppermint all have antibacterial properties.

Blend in Soap Dispenser

Hands Adding Oils To Dispenser With Cap Removed

DIY Foaming Hand Soap: Combine Ingredients

Combine all the ingredients into the foaming soap dispenser.

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Photo by: Caitlin Dabbs

Caitlin Dabbs

Fill your empty soap dispenser with about 20 percent castile soap, the essential oil blend, 1/2 teaspoon of Jojoba oil, 60 percent distilled water and leave about 20 percent of the dispenser with air.

Tip: Jojoba oil is a carrier oil. Adding a carrier oil is important because it dilutes the essential oils and “carries” them onto the skin so they can be applied with minimal, if any, side effects. Other carrier oils include olive oil, coconut oil and grapeseed oil.

Shake It Up

Close bottle and shake to help distribute the oils for the best fragrance.

DIY Foaming Soap Dispenser Up-Dos

Sock Sleeve

Slide a soap dispenser inside a cute sock. With fabric scissors, cut the sock to the size of the dispenser and tuck the cut ends around the base. It's a great way to use a sock that has lost its mate.

Removable Plaid Paint Marker Doodle

Create a design on the outside of the soap dispenser. Lay your soap dispenser on a table, create horizontal lines with a ruler and a white paint marker, repeat with vertical lines. This works best on dispensers with flat sides. If you mess up, it easily washes off with rubbing alcohol.

DIY Foaming Hand Soap
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