How to Make Non-Toxic Liquid Dish Soap at Home
A Natural Dish Soap Recipe That Actually Works
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If you want a natural dish soap that actually works, you are going to want to try this natural dish soap recipe. It’s one of my favorites because it is simple to make and works great!
You can make an effective DIY dish soap at home using just a few ingredients; washing soda, Sal Suds, vegetable glycerin, and lemon essential oil. This recipe cuts grease, removes food residue, and avoids the harsh chemicals found in conventional dish soaps.
This recipe is great for people who want a toxic-free, eco-friendly alternative that still handles real dishes, including oily pans, dried-on food, and everyday messes.
Who This Natural Dish Soap Recipe Is For
Not everyone wants to make their own dish soap, and many people just love their Dawn dish soap. That’s fine, but if you relate to any of the points below, than this recipe is for you.
- Families trying to reduce chemical exposure and toxins in the kitchen
- People with sensitive skin or eczema from commercial dish soap
- Eco-conscious households wanting biodegradable, low-waste options
- Anyone tired of “natural” soaps that do not clean well
If you have tried DIY dish soap recipes before and ended up with cloudy water that barely cuts grease, you are not alone. This formula focuses on function first, then scent and texture.
Why Make Your Own Dish Soap?
Most store-bought dish soaps contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, preservatives, and petroleum-derived surfactants. Even some “green” brands still rely on ingredients that can irritate skin or pollute waterways.
Making dish soap at home allows you to:
- Control every ingredient
- Skip unnecessary fillers
- Customize scent and thickness
- Save money over time
According to the Environmental Working Group, many popular dish soaps score poorly for skin irritation and aquatic toxicity. Switching to a natural dish soap recipe reduces both personal exposure and environmental impact.
The Natural Dish Soap Ingredients and Why They Work
This natural dish soap recipe is effective because each ingredient serves a specific cleaning purpose. Like most DIY all-natural cleaners, nothing is filler. Nothing is decorative. Every component contributes to grease removal, residue breakdown, skin safety, or product stability.
Washing Soda
If you are new to DIY cleaners and aren’t familiar with washing soda yet, you are going to want to get familiar with it.
Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is a powerful natural cleaning mineral that works by softening water and breaking down grease at a molecular level. It changes the pH of the water, making it more alkaline, which allows oils and fats to dissolve instead of sticking to dishes.
This is what helps loosen baked-on food, oily residue, and dried sauces without aggressive scrubbing. Unlike harsh synthetic degreasers, washing soda cleans without toxic fumes or chemical residues, making it ideal for kitchens focused on low-tox living.
Sal Suds
Sal Suds is the primary cleansing agent in this recipe and the ingredient that makes this natural dish soap that actually works. It is a highly concentrated, plant-based surfactant derived from coconut and sustainable palm oils. Sal Suds binds to grease and food particles, allowing them to lift off surfaces and rinse away with water.
Unlike soap-based cleaners that struggle in hard water, Sal Suds performs consistently in all water types. This gives the recipe real cleaning power instead of the “natural but ineffective” problem many DIY soaps have.
Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin acts as a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture to the skin. This is especially important in dish soap, where repeated hand washing can cause dryness, cracking, and irritation. Glycerin helps protect the skin barrier while also adding slight thickness and smoothness to the texture of the soap. This creates a more pleasant hand washing feel without the need for synthetic thickeners, artificial conditioners, or chemical stabilizers.
It will also help to boost the bubbles create by the soap. Which is not needed, but when that’s what we are used it, it makes us think it’s cleaning better. But it that helps you know it’s working, than add the vegetable glycerin.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil contributes both function and fragrance. It naturally supports grease cutting and helps break down oily residues on plates, pans, and utensils. Lemon oil also neutralizes strong food odors and leaves a clean, fresh scent without artificial fragrance chemicals. In addition, lemon essential oil has mild antimicrobial properties, making it a supportive ingredient in a natural cleaning formula focused on hygiene and freshness.
How to Make Non-Toxic Dish Soap at Home
Difficulty: Easy16
ounces5
minutes10
minutes15
minutesEquipment:
– 16oz bottle for storage (Buy in CAN or USA)
– Medium sized cooking pot
– Pyrex measuring cup for mixing and easy pouring (Buy in CAN or USA)
Ingredients
Directions
- Bring water to a boil in a pot and let cool.
- In a large Pyrex measuring cup, add warm water & washing soda.
- Stir very well until the washing soda is completely dissolved.
- Once washing soda is completely dissolved, add the rest of the
ingredients to jar and stir to combine. - Fill a 16oz bottle to store under sink.
Notes
- This is a concentrated recipe, so it should be diluted in a sink of water.
- Let the soap rest for a few hours before use. The texture will thicken slightly as it cools, but it will not be as thick as commercial brands of dish soap.
- I LOVE my Niimbot B1 label maker and printer for labeling all my homemade products. It is what I used for the label in the above picture. Its comes with a free and easy to use app where you can design your labels just the way you want. It quickly and seamlessly prints high quality, and waterproof labels.
I haven’t found any easier way to keep my DIY products organized and identified. You will love it for everything in your home! Here are the links for the exact model I use, buy in CAN or USA.
How to Use This DIY Dish Soap
Use this natural dish soap the same way you would use conventional soap.
- Add to your sink and fill with hot water
- Apply a very small amount directly to a sponge or dish brush (it’s highly concentrated)
- Use warm water for best grease-cutting results
- Shake gently before use if separation occurs
For heavily greasy pans, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the pan before washing.
Common Questions About DIY Dish Soap
Can I use Castile Soap instead of Sal Suds?
The short answer is Yes. However, castile soap is a much more gentle cleanser than Sal Suds. So, while it will still work for you, it will not have the same cleaning strength as Sal Suds. I highly recommend using Sal Suds if you can.
Is this safe for septic systems?
Yes. All ingredients are biodegradable and septic-safe when used in normal household amounts.
Can I use a different essential oil?
Yes. Sweet orange, grapefruit, or lime work well. Avoid oils that irritate skin, such as cinnamon or clove.
Storage and Shelf Life
- Store in a sealed bottle at room temperature
- Shelf life is approximately 2 to 3 months
- Shake gently if ingredients separate
If you notice mold or a sour smell, discard and remake.
Helpful Resources for Kitchen Cleaning Products
If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to share it with a friend and save it to Pinterest so you’ll always have it handy. And if you want more simple, natural recipes, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter – I’ve got plenty more tips and recipes coming out on a weekly basis.
