Looking for a unique DIY holiday idea? This easy to follow DIY Liquid Hand Soap tutorial is the perfect holiday gift for anyone on your list.
When I was about seven years old, I wanted to give my mom a really nice Christmas gift. I remember feeling guilty that she gave me such nice gifts (like dolls and games and new clothes) – and all I ever gave her was necklaces made out of yarn and buttons, pictures that I had colored, and other simple homemade gifts.
In the weeks before Christmas, I remember asking her what she wanted for Christmas. She replied, “Oh Haley honey – just make me something homemade! Homemade gifts are the best gifts”.
Although she said it with conviction, I didn’t buy it. Why would a homemade gift be better than getting something shiny and new? What could I possibly make that would compare to something purchased in a store?
Today, 20-some years later, I know exactly what my mom was talking about. As I grow older, I realize ultimately how little satisfaction material things give me.
Sure, I love getting new stuff as much as anyone else. But ultimately, these items don’t make me happy. I realize that the times that I am most happy are the times I spend with the people I love. And when I can’t physically be with the people I love,
I get satisfaction from making gifts or food for them. Usually this involves baking something rich and decadent, but a good craft of DIY project can also be fun and is much appreciated by the recipient.
DIY Liquid Hand Soap
This homemade hand soap is really fun and easy to make. I found the idea in Richard Blais’ cookbook, Try This At Home: Recipes From My Head To Your Plate. This is one of the most bang-for-your-buck homemade gifts out there. A travel-size bar of soap turns into a huge batch of liquid hand soap.
Although the texture of the liquid soap isn’t exactly like the stuff you buy in the store, it cleans your hands just the same.
And you can customize it by adding essential oils. Give it a try for yourself. Or better yet, make a batch, put it in a pretty soap dispenser, and give it away as a gift.
Here is what you need:
1 bar unscented soap 1 gallon water 1 tsp essential oil such as lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, etc. (optional) Cheese grater Large soup pot Soap dispensers (this makes a huge batch)
Step 1: Using a cheese grater, grate the soap into a large bowl.
Step 2: Bring water to a boil over high heat. Add soap and stir until dissolved. This will take about two minutes. Remove the mixture from heat and allow to cool, stirring every five minutes or so.
Step 3: Stir in extract, if using. Pour soap into soap dispenser. If the soap is a little too thick for your liking, use a hand mixer and beat until smooth.
If you want a smaller amount of hand soap, simply use a half gallon of water and a travel size bar of soap. This recipe is very adaptable.
I hope you have fun making this liquid hand soap, and I hope your recipients love it. Make your gift extra special by putting it in a pretty soap dispenser and placing it in a sparkly gift bag. And if you decide to keep it all for yourself – more power to you! Enjoy.
Have you ever tried to make your own liquid hand soap?
Other DIY gifts you can make:
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- DIY Liquid Hand Soap - November 4
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can this hand soap recipe convert to foam soap ?
The foaming effect is a result of the type of soap dispenser you use, not how the hand soap is made. Some liquid soap dispensers have a mechanism within the pump that aerates the liquid soap as it passes through, so that it comes out as a foam, not a liquid. Kroger sells Method liquid hand soap and you can see through the clear plastic of the bottle that it has a more complex pumping mechanism inside it than the cheaper brands have. The liquid soap in the bottle is clear but when pumped, comes out as foam.
The soap will turn gelatinous over night. It might depend on the brand on how “watery” it ends up being. I used 4 oz of soap, which I grated, then I added it to 1 gallon of hot water. Still very thick, the next morning, which I thought was okay, because as long as I can pump it out the pump, it’s good right? I’ve made liquid soap a few times now, and this seems to be the way it goes. I like Lisa’s idea of the scrap soap and the pony beads. Clever.
I just put scrap pieces of soap in a container add water and some pony beads. Let. Sit and it turns to liquid. The container has a pump. Pony beads are in the craft dept.
What do the pony beads do to aid making soap?
I tried making liquid soap yesterday. So far, it is not turning out right. I grated about 9 ounces of soap, from a bar of Jergens and some little hotel soaps. I boiled 9 c of water. At first, it was watery, when I stirred it, and seemed ok a half-hour later. When I checked a couple hrs later, it was gelatinous! Are you supposed to keep a lid on it? Or pour immediately into dispensers? I heated up the pot and added 2 3/4 c water, to hopefully thin it. Same thing happened. I tried using electric mixer. And, I heated again, adding 2 1/2 more cups of water; let sit overnight. This morning, gelatin! Please help!
Hello, I love this blog! I’ve been following it for several months now. I tried this recipe and my soap is also very watery. The instructions make it seem like it will turn out thick and need to be mixed with a hand mixer. What gives? I do have a backup plan: homemade peppermint foot scrub I found here. http://www.henryhappened.com/peppermint-foot-scrub.html
I hope I can get my peppermint liquid soap to work out so I can give a combo gift! Any advice would be appreciated.