Safe & Simple DIY Dish Soap for a Toxin-Free Kitchen

"The best way to detox your home is to stop bringing toxins into it."

— Debra Lynn Dadd

DIY Dish Soap: A Natural, Sudsy Solution for Sparkling Clean Dishes

Doing dishes might not be everyone’s favorite chore, but there’s something a little magical about creating a homemade product that gets the job done and smells amazing. If you’ve been on a journey to detox your home, your dish soap is a perfect place to start. Store-bought versions often contain synthetic fragrances, sulfates, dyes, and preservatives that can be harsh on skin and tough on the planet.

This simple DIY dish soap recipe skips the questionable ingredients and uses plant-based power to cut grease and lift grime. Plus, you get to customize the scent with your favorite essential oils. Let’s get those dishes clean, naturally!

Why Switch to Homemade Dish Soap?

Making your own dish soap gives you total control over the ingredients. No fillers, no fake fragrances, no unnecessary chemicals. Just clean, effective, and gentle ingredients that you feel good about using every day.

Benefits of DIY Dish Soap:

• Free from synthetic fragrances and sulfates

• Gentle on sensitive skin

• Safe for greywater and septic systems

• Cuts through grease naturally

• Customizable scent with therapeutic-grade essential oils

• Reduces plastic waste

DIY Dish Soap Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled water

• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap (unscented)

• 1/8 to 1/4 cup OnGuard Cleaner Concentrate (optional, but kicks up the grease cutting power)

• 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (adds thickness and moisture)

• 1 tablespoon washing soda or baking soda (for grease-cutting power)

• 10 drops Lemon essential oil

• 5 drops Lime essential oil

• 5 drops Abode, OnGuard, or Purify blend

Instructions:

1. Warm the water slightly and pour it into a bowl.

2. Stir in the washing soda or baking soda until fully dissolved.

3. Add castile soap, OnGuard Cleaner, and vegetable glycerin, stirring gently to combine.

4. Add essential oils.

5. Pour mixture into a pump bottle or squeeze bottle.

6. Shake gently before each use.

This recipe yields about 1 1/2 cups of dish soap.

Why These Ingredients Work

• Castile Soap – A gentle, biodegradable soap that lifts grease and food residue

• Washing Soda/Baking Soda – Helps cut through grime and neutralize odors

• Vegetable Glycerin – Gives your soap a smooth, sudsy texture and helps moisturize hands

  

• Essential Oils – Offer natural degreasing, antibacterial, and aromatic benefits

Essential Oils That Pack a Punch

• Lemon – Naturally cuts grease, brightens your mood, and purifies surfaces

• Lime – Offers a fresh, clean scent and added grease-cutting ability

• Abode – A powerful cleaning blend that fights buildup and odors

• OnGuard – Supports immune health while offering antibacterial properties

  

• Purify – Great for neutralizing odors and freshening your kitchen space

• Orange or Grapefruit – Uplifting and cleansing

• Basil or Thyme – Potent for grime and grease (use sparingly)

  

Avoid citrus oils if using plastic containers as they can break down petroleum-based plastics over time. Opt for glass or stainless steel when possible.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

• Too runny? Add a little more glycerin or a small pinch of xanthan gum for thickness.

• Separation? This is normal with natural products. Just shake before each use.

• Need more suds? Try using a foaming pump bottle. It won't increase soapiness, but it delivers a more satisfying lather.

• Double-duty: This dish soap also works great as a hand soap in the kitchen!

Let the Bubbles Begin

With this DIY dish soap in your cleaning arsenal, you can enjoy squeaky-clean dishes and a kitchen that smells fresh without the chemical cloud. It’s a small switch that adds up to a big difference for your health, your wallet, and the planet.