Comments on: Homemade Liquid Hand Soap

By: Lois

Lois — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:32:28 +0000

I’ve seen a recipe for dishwasher detergent that is A & H washing soda, Borax, kosher salt and citric acid. Has anyone tried this? I believe the citric acid is used to eliminate the white/cloudy residue. They also suggest vinegar for the rinse agent.

I’d just like a little feedback if anyone has used these four ingredients together.

By: sherry

sherry — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:01:22 +0000

Stacy how much grated soap did u use for the gallon of water? Did you try the dollar store for containers? They usually have that kind of stuff in ours, just a thought or a milk jug…

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:39:58 +0000

My first batch of liquid soap worked great. I used an electric mixer with grater attachment to grate the bar of soap in a few minutes. Brought 1 gal ___ water almost to boil, added the grated soap and let it melt and added 2 tsp coconut oil (health food store) which thickens it, did not have any essential oil. When almost cool I used my hand blender, let sit overnight and blended again. I use it for hand soap and it made my dishes shine. Only problem is finding containers. I’m using recycled spice jars and whatever I can find. I don’t want to spend $1.50 for plastic with pump tops for a product that cost me $2 per gal. I use half/half vinegar & hydrogen peroxide to clean my sink & counters since I feed my dogs raw chicken. Thanks for the recipies and tips. I’m going to make the clothes washing detergent next. Check “Chronic Health Effects” section of the National Institutes of Health’s MSDS for Fels-Naptha dangers. I’ll stick with Ivory.

By: Judi

Judi — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:11:12 +0000

Love the soap ideas.

I made liquid laundry soap with some castile soap (@1/3 of the bar) and a bar of handmade (cold process) soap (@ 1/2 the bar)..

I am going to try the hand soap too.. too easy.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:38:35 +0000

Washing soda: I found it at Alice.com for about $2.50/box and Alice.com always has free shipping as long as you order 6 items. They also had the borax and ivory soap. I’m still trying to find fels-naptha locally because I’d like to try it.
Thanks for all the great ideas!

By: Felicia

Felicia — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:28:40 +0000

Not so sure how that would work, but no. I’ve never tried to thicken it with oatmeal.

You could give it a try to see if you’re happy with the results.

By: Felicia

Felicia — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:27:19 +0000

Angela, sorry for the late response, but I’m no chemistry expert. I hope one of my readers can give you the right answer.

By: Becki

Becki — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:41:26 +0000

I have just starting making my own liquid soap and do not really like how “thin” it is. I was wondering, has anyone tried to add oatmeal to thicken it?

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:53:58 +0000

I have a question regarding changing the chemical makeup of baking soda to washing soda. I live at a high altitude which effects all my baking. Would I need to consider the altitude for the chemical change?

By: Felicia

Felicia — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:50:51 +0000

Maybe you used too much water?