Amidst the onslaught of various brands of liquid body wash and soap, some people prefer to use natural liquid soap. This is because those soaps are generally made from plant-based ingredients that are gentle to their skins, especially those with sensitive skins. Not only that, but some products also offer unscented natural liquid soaps that are suitable for those with allergies to essential oils. Nonetheless, some others like to try DIY soap recipes where they can easily adjust the ingredients according to their skin condition. But how to make natural liquid soap from scratch with the best safe formula?
To answer that question, you better read this article to the end. In addition to tips on how to make natural liquid soap at home, we’ve included the benefits of organic homemade soaps, the best recipes, soap-making tips, and several alternative products in case you want to hustle to formulate your eco-friendly soap.
But first, let us introduce you to the definition of natural liquid soap below!
Table of Contents
Homemade Liquid Soap
Before we discuss more soap-making supplies, how to make natural liquid soap, and tips for having the best results of eco-friendly soap, it would be nice to know what natural liquid soap is and why it is popular. We will also talk about the benefits of using natural liquid soap to convince you to switch from the common soaps in the market to organic liquid soaps.
Let’s dive in!
1. What Is A Natural Liquid Soap?
As the name suggests, natural liquid soap is a type of liquid soap made from natural, plant-based, and organic with no chemically sensitive ingredients that can potentially harm your skin. Considering those features, natural liquid soap is popular among those with sensitive skin, thanks to its mild and gentle cleansing properties.
Moreover, the process of making natural liquid soap is actually the same as typical liquid soap. The key is the saponification process, where the alkali meets oils and forms soap molecules with glycerin. However, the ratio used may be different.
The ingredients for making homemade natural liquid soap vary, including castor oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. Those oils provide a proper lather for the soap and a moisturizing effect on the skin. Thus, you don’t have to worry about dry skin after a shower.
In addition, natural liquid soaps are generally enriched with botanical extracts, which are helpful to soothe, hydrate and nourish your skin. Not only that, but the scented ones include essential oils that give calming sensations but are not too overwhelming.
2. Benefits of Using Natural Liquid Soap
Using natural liquid soap has many benefits, especially for the skin. Apart from its plant-based ingredients, most of the products also contain botanical extracts that are infused as additional nourishment to the skin.
Here are some of the benefits of switching your soap to natural liquid soap:
- Nourishing and Moisturizing
Natural liquid soap often includes oils, like coconut, castor, and olive oils to improve the saponification. Nonetheless, those oils also work great to hydrate the skin. In addition, the herbal extracts, like rosemary and grapefruit are excellent ingredients to nourish and soothe your skin, especially for sensitive skin that commonly struggle with irritation and allergies.
- Versatile
Knowing it doesn’t have chemical ingredients, natural liquid soap is popular for its multipurpose use. Not only does it serve as an amazing alternative to common soap, but you can also use the organic product as a shampoo, hand wash, and body care.
- Environmentally Friendly
Considering its natural and organic soap-making materials, natural liquid soap is one of the best options to reduce the use of chemicals that can harm our environment. The ingredients are biodegradable and sustainable, making it easy to make and degrade naturally.
- Aromatherapy
Many natural liquid soap products today include essential oils to infuse pleasant scents. These natural perfumes will give a relaxing sensation while you are using the soap to bathe, releasing your stress away. In addition, essential oils are also beneficial to uplift your mood and promote a calming effect.
3. How Long Does Natural Liquid Soap Last?
The shelf life of natural liquid soap varies, depending on several factors, including the formulation, ingredients, storage conditions, and usage frequency. Generally speaking, natural liquid soap will last for around 1 to 2 years.
However, it is essential to note that the absence of synthetic preservatives, such as Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), may result in shorter longevity. These two chemicals can effectively inhibit bacterial growth. Thus, extending the shelf life. As for the homemade herbal soaps, you can store them in dry and cool places to ensure they last long.
Moreover, you must close the lids of the soap bottle to block oxygen access to the product. Moisture and oxygen are favorable for bacteria to deteriorate the soap. In addition, consider adding Vitamin E or herbal extracts (grapefruit or rosemary) that possess natural preservatives that may suppress microbial growth.
Ingredients for Making Natural Liquid Soap
To make natural liquid soap, there are several key ingredients you must include in the process. In addition, there are several additional ingredients, such as essential oils and herbal extracts, to improve the quality. What are the uses of each of these natural soap-making materials?
- Oils
One of the key ingredients in the soap-making process is oils. They are essential for the saponification process, where soap will produce foam which becomes the cleansing agent of the product. In addition, oils are also helpful for moisturizing the skin. Some examples of these natural oils are castor, coconut, and olive.
- Lyes
With oils, sodium hydroxide or lyes are important ingredients in the saponification process. This alkaline chemical will react with fats (oils) to form soapy molecules and glycerin. However, you have to handle it with care and take proper precautions when using it in the making of handmade natural soap. It is corrosive and harmful in contact with the skin.
- Water
In accordance with its original nature, water functions as a solvent between oils and lyes so that it mixes perfectly in the saponification process. In addition, water helps achieve the desired consistency of your soap after saponification.
- Essential Oils
Essentials oils are scented oils derived from plants to add fragrance in your natural liquid soap. Some of the most popular essential oils for natural liquid soap are lavender and citrus. In addition to introducing pleasant aroma, these ingredients also give calming and relaxing sensations while bathing.
- Botanical Extracts
We have mentioned some of the benefits of adding botanical extracts previously. One of which is to give natural preservative properties. Thus, your products will have a longer shelf life. Besides, these extracts can also include natural colorants to enhance your soap’s appeal. Some of the most loving herbal extracts to add to your DIY liquid soap recipes are chamomile, aloe vera, grapefruit, and rosemary.
Basic Recipe for Making Natural Liquid Soap
In case you are a newbie in the world of DIY soap making, we suggest not trying complex recipes immediately. It is better to learn the basic soap-making process, which is the key to your homemade natural liquid soap’s success: saponification.
You must also understand what equipment you need and how to make natural liquid soap from scratch step-by-step. After that, you can try customizing your organic liquid soap. And below, we have summarized all three with a simple guide on how to make natural liquid soap. Let’s have a look!
1. Equipment for Natural Liquid Soap
Equipment for making natural liquid questions can be pretty easy to find. You can even use your kitchen tools, such as stainless steel containers, stick blenders, digital scales, thermometers, and glass bottles. Let’s find out the function of each piece of equipment for natural liquid soap!
- Stainless Steel Containers
This tool serves as a container for mixing oils and lyes in saponification. Therefore, make sure the size is appropriate, not too small or big, making it easier for you to mix the ingredients. In addition, choose the one with heat-resistant handling for safety measures.
- Stick Blenders
You know that oils, lyes, and water have different densities. Thus, they are tricky to blend in. Hence, you will need a stick blender to make it easier for them to mix properly to initiate saponification, resulting in soap bubbles and glycerin.
- Digital Scales
One of the keys to success in making natural liquid soap is the precision of the amount of ingredients. Therefore, having a digital scale is crucial so that the composition of each material can be added according to the formulation you have made. Incorrect components can reduce the success rate of making your natural liquid soap.
- Thermometers
A thermometer is a must in the making of natural liquid soap. It is especially useful for monitoring the temperature of lyes and oils solution, knowing the heat can significantly influence saponification, textures, and even the color of your product.
- Glass Bottles
A glass bottle is necessary to keep natural liquid soap, making it easy to use. Make sure you choose a bottle with lids to store the product properly, knowing the covers will provide a vacuum condition. Remember, moisture and oxygen are two factors that may perish your product, resulting in shorter shelf life. Alternatively, you can choose plastic bottles. But they are not an eco-friendly option.
2. Step-by-step Making Homemade Liquid Soap
Now, we have arrived at the most crucial section of how to make natural liquid soap from scratch! Since you have understood the ingredients and equipment to formulate your own DIY soap recipes, let’s look at our simple step-by-step in making homemade liquid soap!
- Prepare all the ingredients and equipment. Ensure you don’t skip one to ensure all the processes go smoothly.
- Cover the surface area of your workshop. It is crucial as you are about to work with corrosive material, such as lye, that may potentially damage your furniture. Also, don’t forget to wear safety gear, like an apron, goggles, gloves, long sleeves, and a mask. Open all the windows for better circulation.
- Measure all the ingredients, including lye (100 g), water (170 g and 850 g, separately in different containers), coconut oils (150 g), and olive oil (350 g).
- Melt the oils. Use the stainless steel to put low heat on the ingredients. Then, stir the mixture with a spoon.
- After that, add 170 g of water to the oils. Then, slowly add 100 g of lye. Remember you MUST do it in a well-ventilated area as the lye is highly corrosive. Make sure you have your goggles, apron, gloves, and mask on. Since the mixture will heat up due to a chemical reaction, let it cool down before adding more lye. Stir the mixture evenly for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Next, use a stick blender until the mixture turns into pudding-like consistency or well-known as “trace.”
- In case you already have a “trace,” return to hand stirring and continue mixing on low heat. Make sure the soap is not separated.
- Now, it’s time to test the soap. Pour hot water into a bowl and add the soap to it. The ratio must be 2:1. If the water is clear after pouring the soap, your homemade liquid soap base is ready. But if it is still milky, return the soap to heat and stir it for another 30 minutes, then test it again.
- For the finish, add boiling 850 grams of water into the jelly-like soap you have made and stir them with a stick blender until they are blended in.
- Then, put off the heat and pour the soap into a jar with a lid. Let the soap cool down before it is ready to use.
- Transfer the cool soap into a glass bottle, and voila!
3. Customizing Your Natural Liquid Soap
Personalizing or customizing natural liquid soap allows you to give a touch of your personality to the product. You can try having one by adjusting some characteristics of the organic soap, including scents, textures, and colors. If you are unsure about personalizing your natural liquid soap, we have a recipe you can try with tips on how to make it suitable for your preference.
- Prepare the basic ingredients, including distilled water, essential oils, and castile soaps. For the castile soap, choose the liquid one as it is easier to blend with other materials.
- Take a ½ cup of each distilled water and castile liquid soap into a mason jar. Make sure you put the water first to prevent bubble forming. Then, you can add the castile liquid soap slowly.
- Next, add essential oils. Essential oils are perfect for those who fancy perfumed soaps. We love to add lavender oils to offer a calming sensation while bathing. But if you want to highlight the antibacterial properties, we recommend adding eucalyptus, peppermint, or tea tree oil. Use only 5 to 10 drops to avoid overwhelming aroma. Mix them well.
- Then, color your soap! We usually add plant-based powders or charcoal to make it look inviting. Add half of a teaspoon and add more as you blend the mixture with a spoon. However, you can simply skip this step if you don’t mind having white-colored soap.
- After that, add vitamin E oil and olive oil around one tbsp. each. They are great natural preservatives and also work awesome to soothe your skin. Then, mix them well. You can also try grapefruit or chamomile extracts if you can’t find these oils.
- Finally, you can transfer the homemade natural liquid soap into a clean and dry bottle. Make sure you label the product and write the date you make this soap. Generally, it will last around 2 weeks if you store it properly in a dry area.
Tips for Storing Your Natural Liquid Soap
Although natural liquid soap is better than typical ones because it is gentler on the skin, such soap has a shorter shelf life. This is because organic liquid soaps do not use chemical preservatives to maintain product stability and effectiveness during storage.
Most natural liquid soaps generally rely on plant-based ingredients, like botanical extracts, as natural preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria in the product.
However, you can use another approach so that your soap remains in good condition by maintaining the storage. Make sure you store it in a dry and cool place. Wet areas expose the products to high moisture, which allows the microorganism to reproduce and spread, causing your product to perish. Also, don’t store natural liquid soap in direct sunlight because it can reduce the fragrance’s intensity and degrade the essential ingredients’ effectiveness.
Moreover, choose the right storage container. We recommend glass bottles with tight lids to reduce the potential for oxygen and moisture exposure to the product. In addition, remember to always label your soap with the date of manufacture if it is homemade. Also, close the lids tightly after each use.
How To Choose The Right Natural Liquid Soap?
Some people prefer buying natural liquid soaps since they have no time to put their hands on the ingredients, and it’s a tricky process to make one. And if you are one of them, there are several important considerations before purchasing natural liquid soaps.
One of the most crucial ones is your skin condition. You must read the ingredients thoroughly to know whether you have an allergy or are sensitive to specific elements in the product. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend avoiding harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens.
Moreover, opt for essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes. Also, choose an organic liquid soap formulated for your skin type. If you have dry skin, choose one with nourishing and hydrating ingredients, like aloe vera.
Besides, you must look at certain certifications that ensure the product’s quality and safety. In the U.S., you can check USDA organic, COSMOS, and/or Ecocert symbols on the packaging. In addition, we recommend scrolling to the customer reviews section.
From that page, you can consider the opinions of other customers, especially those with similar skin types and conditions, about the product. Also, consider ethical preferences, such as cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, or recyclable. If you adopt a sustainable lifestyle, it is vital to choose an eco-friendly product.
Best Natural Liquid Soap Products
By knowing how to choose natural liquid soap products, we hope you can be wiser in buying products for your body care. In case you need recommendations regarding natural liquid soaps suitable for your skin, we have several favorite products to consider below. Check them out!
1. Dr Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap
This is one of the best natural liquid soap products you can consider trying. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap is made from natural ingredients, such as organic palm kernel oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil, to keep your skin moisturized and nourished.
In addition, this product does not contain perfume. Thus, it is safe for those with sensitive skin. Even though one pack only contains 8 oz, this organic liquid soap is a concentrated product where you can dilute it up to three times to save on usage. In addition, there are many size options. But if this is your first time trying this product, you recommend the 4-oz or 8-oz one for only $8.99 to $9.89.
Why We Love It
Dr Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid soap is vegan-friendly. It also gets a climate-pledge badge where the packaging is made from recycled plastic, making it an eco-friendly option. Also, it comes in various sizes to try which provides the customers with more alternatives.
What To Consider
The product contains diverse oils which make it prone to deterioration due to its fat contents. But with proper storage conditions, you can keep the soap for a longer period.
2. Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Nourishing Body Wash
For those of you who think that natural liquid soaps are more expensive than typical soaps on the market, you guess that’s wrong. Take a look at this one! Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Nourishing Body Wash is only priced at $19.99 for one gallon! What a good deal!
Not only that, but even though the price is low, this soap contains nourishing ingredients, such as Nutmeg oil, Vetiver oil, Flaxseed extract, and many more. In addition, it is free of parabens, sulfates, and phosphates. The product also obtains a PETA certificate, meaning it is cruelty-free! This product will make you feel a relaxing sensation while bathing, thanks to the green tea and lemongrass gentle scents.
Why We Love It
This product is super budget-friendly! It also comes in a big size, reducing the use of plastic packaging. In addition, it features no harsh chemicals, making the soap suitable for sensitive skin.
What To Consider
You may need to buy or prepare a glass bottle to easily use the product. It is also perfumed. So, make sure to check the ingredients before purchasing one.
3. Puracy Natural Body Wash
In case you are looking for a natural body wash for all skin types and gender, this Puracy Natural Body Wash grants you your wish. It comes in a twin pack of 12 oz for only $23.98, making it an affordable option to try. No wonder that this product has sold millions of bottles.
Apart from being relatively cheap, this soap offers nourishing ingredients, such as coconut oil, grapefruit extract, and natural preservatives, to ensure the soap is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive ones. In addition, it features sea salt and citrus as brightening agents, as well as adding a gentle aroma to the soap.
Why We Love It
All the ingredients are dermatologically tested, ensuring the product’s safety and quality. Also, the product is intended for men, women, even children with all skin types. In addition, Puracy guarantees refundable items with no time limit!
What To Consider
It contains natural scents which most likely come from essential oils. If you are allergic to essential oils, you better ask professional advice before buying this product.
4. Everyone 3-in-1 Soap, Body Wash, Bubble Bath, Shampoo
Another product with a climate-friendly badge that is worth trying: Everyone 3-in-1 Soap. As the name suggests, you can use this product as a body cleanser, bubble bath, and shampoo, making it a hassle-free option for traveling or home use.
Apart from that, this natural liquid Soap is also formulated for all skin types. Those with sensitive skin need not worry because the ingredients contain synthetic materials, despite the fact it is perfumed. And amazingly, this product only costs $ 24.94 for two products with a size of 32 oz. Super affordable!
Why We Love It
It is an environmentally friendly product where the packaging is made of 100% recycled materials. The soap also has multipurpose for bathing, shampooing, and cleansing.
What To Consider
For those with sensitive skins or perhaps allergic to essential oils may need to be aware of the ingredients as the product is scented.
5. Tree To Tub Moisturizing Citrus Body Wash
Dealing with dry skin after showering? You may not match the ingredients in your body wash. Consider switching your liquid body soap with Tree To Tub Moisturizing Citrus Body Wash. It features hero ingredients, aloe vera, and shea butter to hydrate your skin even after using the soap.
Besides that, the product is infused with chamomile, cucumber, and wild soapberry, making it gentle for sensitive skin. Meanwhile, it also contains a mild natural citrus scent that won’t overwhelm you. With these features, it doesn’t matter if they are slightly more expensive than ordinary liquid soaps, costing $15.99 for two packs of 8.5 oz.
Why We Love It
Perfect for sensitive, dry skin that need nourishing and hydrating ingredients to soothe and moisturize the skin. It also highlights refreshing citrus smell to give a calming sensation.
What To Consider
If this is your first time using this product, buying it bundled is a tricky option because you have yet to find out whether you match this soap or not.
Final Thoughts
Making and formulating your own handmade natural liquid soap can be a rewarding experience. This is because you can freely adjust the composition, aroma, color, and even textures according to your preference. By following the step-by-step on how to make natural liquid soap, knowing the equipment and ingredients, and tips for choosing the best liquid soap products, you have to dive deeper into DIY soap making.
You also indirectly hone your sense of creativity by processing natural ingredients to make the best quality product. But remember to make soap according to the condition of your face. If you want to sell your homemade soap, comply with local rules and follow good manufacturing practices to ensure the product’s safety and quality.
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What makes homemade soap last longer?
Some people prefer to make homemade liquid soap because it’s easier to adjust the ingredients based on their skin conditions. However, few people know about soap-making ingredients that act as natural preservatives to make the product last longer. One of the ingredients that must be included in soap-making recipes is rosemary or grapefruit extract. Those soap-making ingredients have antibacterial properties that can inhibit bacterial growth, resulting in extended shelf life.
In addition, consideration of the balance ratio of alkali and oil in the natural soap-making process is also vital to create a long-lasting, stable formula. And to improve the product’s longevity and lathering ability, one of the best soap-making tips is to add sugar and salt.
Can you customize the scent of your natural liquid soap?
One of the primary benefits of homemade liquid soap is that you can choose your own favorite scents to add to the product. Generally, essential oils derived from plants will be included in the natural soap-making process. Some popular essential oils for soap-making are lavender, eucalyptus, citrus, sandalwood, peppermint, and rosemary.
However, remember to add these essential oils for soap-making recipes sparingly. It is necessary to prevent overpowering scents and protect against skin irritation, especially for sensitive skin. You can also use a mixer to evenly mix all the ingredients.
Can you sell your homemade natural liquid soap?
Suppose you love trying herbal soap recipes and are interested in selling your handmade liquid soap. In that case, you can do so with a few conditions. One of the most important is following local laws about selling body care products. This is very important to ensure the safety of your product and as an effort to protect consumers.
You may also need to train in soap-making techniques to ensure good manufacturing practices and ensure your products are safe and have excellent qualities. In addition, we recommend you consult directly with a legal professional regarding your product to find out whether or not your DIY soap recipes and homemade liquid soap comply with the rules.
How long does it take to make natural liquid soap?
The time needed to make natural liquid soap really depends on herbal soap recipes, organic soap-making techniques you apply, and your skills and experience. However, you generally need about 2-4 hours to make one batch of homemade liquid soap.
In this process, formulating natural soap bases is probably the most time-consuming. The process includes preparing, measuring, mixing, and cooking the ingredients. Next, you can add essential oils to make aromatherapy soaps and adjust the colors and textures.
Is it difficult to make natural liquid soap at home?
We can’t say it’s difficult, but it may be a bit tricky for those who don’t know basic chemistry. Since the soap-making supplies include lyes, you must carefully handle the material with care and safety precautions. And as we mentioned earlier, basic chemistry is required in the organic soap-making process, especially regarding saponification, to ensure successful DIY soap recipes.
Instead of jumping into the complicated one, we recommend trying to make natural soap bases. This part takes the longest time in the whole process of making aromatherapy soaps. Thus, mastering soap-base making is essential.