This easy homemade dish soap combines simple, natural ingredients to make an effective, environmentally friendly cleaner. It cuts grease, suds well, smells pleasant with the essential oils you choose, and is gentle enough for regular use—while costing less than many commercial “natural” options.
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This updated natural dish soap is a refined version of a long-used recipe. After adjusting the ingredients and method, the new formula avoids the hassles of grating bar soap and delivers consistent, reliable results. It performs well on greasy dishes, creates pleasant suds, and rinses clean.
Many homemade cleaners fall short compared with commercial products, but this recipe is strong enough to handle everyday kitchen messes. It’s also budget-friendly—cheaper than many specialty natural dish soaps—and more environmentally conscious because you control the ingredients and reduce packaging waste.
Why you will love this recipe:
Effective: This soap tackles grease and grime without leaving a film.
Natural ingredients: You choose the components, avoiding unnecessary additives and fragrances found in many commercial products.
Simple to make: No special equipment required—just measure, stir, and pour.
Eco-friendly: Making your own reduces plastic waste and lets you use biodegradable ingredients.
Customizable: Adjust scent and sudsing power with essential oils and glycerin to match your preferences.
Cost effective: The ingredients are affordable and often used for other household projects, making this an economical option.
Tips:
- The mixture is thinner than store-bought dish soap, so a small amount delivers good cleaning power.
- Use a foaming soap pump for the best dispensing experience, or a regular soap bottle if that’s what you have.
- Shake gently if the ingredients separate. The updated formula reduces clumping and separation.
- Do not substitute sal suds with liquid castile soap in this recipe because the vinegar will react poorly with castile and reduce effectiveness.
Tools you may need:
Liquid measuring cup, measuring spoons, spoon for stirring, and a soap dispenser. A foaming pump works best. If you use essential oils, consider glass dispensers rather than plastic.
The Ingredients:
- Sal Suds (concentrated cleaner) — a mild detergent with strong cleaning power that works well on dishes and performs reasonably in hard water.
- Water — distilled water is recommended. If using tap water, boil and cool it first to reduce the chance of bacterial growth.
- Vinegar — helps cut grease and gives a streak-free finish.
- Vegetable glycerin (optional) — increases suds slightly and helps keep hands from drying out.
- Essential oils (optional) — up to 20 drops for scent and additional cleaning benefits. Citrus oils are excellent degreasers; tea tree or similar oils add antibacterial properties.
Essential Oils
Essential oils add fragrance and some functional benefits. Lemon or other citrus oils make the soap particularly effective on greasy dishes. Tea tree, On-Guard-style blends, or similar antibacterial oils can also be added if you like their scent. Start with 10–20 drops and adjust to your preference.
How To Make Natural Homemade Dish Soap:
If you are not using distilled water, boil the water for several minutes and let it cool before beginning.
In a medium bowl, combine the water, sal suds, vinegar, and vegetable glycerin (if using). Stir gently until blended. Add essential oils and mix briefly. Pour the mixture into your dispenser and label it. Allow the soap to rest for a few hours before first use if you like; it’s ready to use immediately.
A foaming pump will stretch the mixture farther and make it feel more like store-bought foaming soap. If you prefer a thicker texture, reduce the water slightly, but the recipe is designed to work well as written.
Variations:
Citrus: 20 drops lemon, grapefruit, or orange.
Lavender Mint: 15 drops lavender + 5 drops peppermint.
Holiday: Pine or fir blends, or a mix of clove, cinnamon, and orange for a seasonal scent.
Herbal Mint: Mint or spearmint with eucalyptus for a fresh, herbal aroma.
Tips For Using This DIY Dish Soap
- Shake before each use if ingredients have settled.
- Use a small amount—these concentrated cleaners spread well.
- For baked-on or greasy food, let the soap sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.
- Use a natural bristle brush or non-scratch sponge to avoid damaging delicate surfaces. Rinse thoroughly after washing.
FAQ
In a pinch, yes. However, this formula is designed for dishes and contains ingredients meant to cut grease. If you want a gentler option for hands, use a recipe formulated specifically as hand soap.
Vinegar alone does not break down fats in the same way soap does, so it cannot fully replace dish soap for greasy dishes.
Castile soap can wash dishes but may not remove grease as effectively and should not be mixed with vinegar. For this recipe, sal suds is a better choice for cleaning power.
Find More Homemade Cleaning Products That Work!
- All-purpose cleaners, furniture polish, dishwasher detergent, glass cleaner, laundry detergent, and other effective homemade cleaning solutions are easy to make with basic ingredients.
If you try this recipe and enjoy it, consider sharing your results and your favorite essential oil blends. Homemade dish soap is simple to make, customizable, and a practical step toward a cleaner, greener home.
Homemade Dish Soap
A simple, natural dish soap that is tough on grease, gentle on the environment, and easy to customize.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup distilled water (or water boiled and cooled)
- 1/2 cup Sal Suds
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp vegetable glycerin (optional)
- 20 drops essential oils (optional)
Instructions
- If using tap water, boil it for a few minutes and let it cool.
- In a medium bowl, combine water, Sal Suds, vinegar, and glycerin. Stir gently to mix.
- Add essential oils and stir. Transfer to a foaming pump or dispenser.
Notes
Vegetable glycerin is optional but adds mild suds and helps moisturize hands. Sal Suds is not interchangeable with Castile soap for this formula.