4 Homemade Dishwashing Liquid Recipes that work | Totkay.com

Ever finish washing dishes and notice your hands feel dry, tight, or irritated? That’s not just from the water. Many commercial dish soaps promise sparkling clean dishes, but they often leave behind harsh chemicals, sticky residues on your glassware, and a hefty price tag.

The good news? You can create a powerful, grease-cutting dishwashing liquid using simple, natural ingredients for just pennies per bottle.

In this blog post, I’ll share four tried-and-true recipes for homemade dishwashing liquid to handle all your dishwashing needs, from everyday dinner messes to tackling the greasiest cast-iron pans.

Before we dive into the recipes, let me explain an important point: homemade dish soap does not create as many suds as commercial options, but don’t let that fool you. It’s the soap’s chemistry that does the heavy lifting, breaking down oils and removing grime, not the bubbles!

Recipe 1: The Quick & Simple Liquid Castile Base

New to DIY cleaning products? This recipe delivers gentle yet effective cleaning with minimal preparation time. The liquid castile base creates a versatile formula perfect for everyday dishwashing without complex mixing procedures.

Key Ingredients:

• 1 cup Liquid Castile Soap (unscented)
• 1 cup Distilled Water
• 1 Tbsp White Vinegar
• 1 tsp Vegetable Glycerin

White vinegar cuts through grease and eliminates hard water film without requiring heat or complicated chemistry. Vegetable glycerin provides stability while softening hands during washing.

Instructions (Mix & Pour):

• Start with a clean container that holds at least 20 ounces.
• Pour the liquid castile soap first, followed by distilled water.
• The order prevents excessive foam formation, which makes measuring difficult. Add white vinegar slowly while stirring gently.
• The mixture may appear slightly cloudy; this reaction is normal and safe. Finally, incorporate vegetable glycerin and blend thoroughly.

Troubleshooting Note:

Combining vinegar with castile soap works perfectly for immediate use. However, avoid mixing washing soda with cold liquid castile soap, as this causes rapid clumping.

If you prefer washing soda as a degreasing agent, proceed to Recipe 2, which accommodates this powerful ingredient through controlled heating.

Recipe 2: The Frugal & Customizable Bar Soap Base (Economical/Control)

Budget-conscious households can save big with this Homemade Dishwashing Liquid recipe. It turns affordable bar soap into high-quality dishwashing liquid, giving you full control over consistency, scent, and cleaning strength while keeping costs low.

Key Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Grated Bar Soap (Fels Naptha, Zote, or homemade)
• 3 cups of Water
• 1/2 tsp Washing Soda
• 1 tsp Glycerin

Grated bar soap provides the cleaning foundation, while washing soda serves as the primary degreaser and natural thickener. Glycerin prevents the final gel from solidifying into an unusable block.

Choose bar soaps carefully; harder formulations containing tallow or high coconut oil concentrations require slight washing soda adjustments.

Instructions (The Cooking Method):

• Use a box grater’s finest side to create small, uniform soap flakes that dissolve quickly and completely.
• Combine grated soap with water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the soap dissolves entirely, creating a translucent liquid without visible particles.
• Remove from heat immediately to prevent overheating, which can break down the soap’s molecular structure.
• While still warm, add washing soda gradually, stirring between additions to ensure complete dissolution. Incorporate glycerin and any desired essential oils during this stage.
• Allow the mixture to rest undisturbed for 6-12 hours. The cooling process creates a thick gel consistency that scoops easily yet flows smoothly during use.

Authority Tip:

Bar soap hardness significantly affects the final texture and cleaning performance. Tallow-based or high coconut oil soaps create firmer gels requiring 25% less washing soda.

Softer bar soaps made primarily from olive or palm oils need the full washing soda amount to achieve proper consistency and grease-cutting power.

Recipe 3: The No-Grate Gel Dish Soap (Convenience)

Hate grating bar soap but love thick, scoopable gel consistency? This recipe eliminates tedious grating while producing a concentrated gel that handles heavy-duty cleaning tasks. The boiling water method breaks down soap chunks completely without manual grating effort.

Key Ingredients:

• 1/2 Bar of natural soap (Fels Naptha/Castile/Ivory – chopped into small chunks)
• 6 cups Boiling Water
• 1/2 cup Borax
• 1/2 cup Washing Soda

Borax provides antimicrobial properties while boosting overall cleaning effectiveness. Washing soda tackles stubborn grease and acts as a natural water softener.

The combination creates a powerful cleaning gel that rivals commercial products without synthetic additives.

Instructions:

• Chop the soap bar into roughly 1-inch chunks using a sharp knife. Smaller pieces dissolve faster and more completely.
• Place soap chunks in a large, heat-safe container; a 2-gallon bucket works perfectly for this quantity.
• Carefully pour boiling water over the soap chunks. The initial contact creates significant bubbling and steam, so pour slowly and maintain a safe distance.
• Stir vigorously with a long spoon until the soap dissolves almost completely. Some small soap fragments may remain visible initially.
• Add borax first, stirring until completely dissolved and the water clears. Follow with washing soda, continuing to stir until no granules remain visible. The mixture will appear thin and watery initially.
• Allow 24 hours for complete setting. The mixture transforms into a thick, pudding-like gel that can be scooped or broken up with a spoon.
• An immersion blender quickly smooths any lumpy areas without affecting cleaning performance.

Usage Note:

This formula creates a concentrate requiring a 50/50 dilution with water when filling dispensers. The concentrated form stores longer and takes up less space while delivering the same cleaning power as ready-to-use formulations.

Recipe 4: Sal Suds Detergent (High-Performance/No Clumping)

Maximum grease-cutting power without soap scum issues? Sal Suds provides the answer. This biodegradable, plant-based detergent avoids the chemistry problems that plague true soap formulations, especially in hard water areas.

Key Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup Distilled Water
• 1/2 cup Sal Suds
• 2 Tbsp White Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Vegetable Glycerin

Sal Suds differs fundamentally from castile soap in its molecular structure. As a detergent rather than a true soap, it resists curdling when combined with acidic ingredients like vinegar.

This stability creates consistent performance regardless of water hardness or mineral content.

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients in order, starting with distilled water as the base.
• Add Sal Suds slowly to minimize foam formation during mixing. Incorporate vinegar and glycerin while stirring gently but thoroughly. The mixture remains fluid and pourable immediately.
• Transfer to storage containers and shake well before each use. The ingredients may separate slightly over time, but gentle agitation restores uniform consistency.

The Science:

Sal Suds belongs to the detergent family rather than true soap chemistry. Traditional soaps react with minerals in hard water, creating insoluble precipitates that appear as soap scum or film.

Detergents maintain their cleaning effectiveness regardless of water mineral content, explaining why this formula works consistently across different household water systems.

Essential Oils, Safety, and Troubleshooting

Natural fragrance and additional antimicrobial properties enhance homemade dishwashing liquid without synthetic chemicals. However, proper selection and usage prevent potential problems while maximizing benefits.

Essential Oil Boosters:

Which oils provide the best degreasing and antimicrobial benefits? Lemon essential oil contains natural limonene compounds that break down grease while providing a fresh scent.

• Tea tree oil offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties that inhibit bacterial growth in sponges and washcloths.
• Eucalyptus oil combines pleasant fragrance with natural degreasing compounds that enhance cleaning effectiveness.

Add 10-15 drops per batch, introducing oils after removing heated mixtures from direct heat. Essential oils can degrade under high temperatures, reducing their beneficial properties and altering scent profiles.

The Dishwasher Rule:

Never use any of these recipes in automatic dishwashers. The soap and detergent formulations create excessive foam that can damage pumps, seals, and electronic components.

Foam overflow can cause water damage to surrounding cabinets and flooring. These recipes are designed exclusively for hand washing dishes, cookware, and utensils.

The Final Gel:

Has your finished product become too thick or developed clumps during storage? Avoid reheating, which can break down the soap structure and create separation.

Instead, add 1/4 cup of very hot water and use an immersion blender to re-emulsify the mixture quickly. Blend in short bursts to prevent overheating the motor while achieving smooth consistency.

Homemade Soap Storage Tips:

• Airtight glass or plastic dispensers protect homemade formulations from contamination and evaporation.
• Pump dispensers work excellently for liquid formulations, while wide-mouth jars accommodate gel consistencies that require scooping.
• Use batches within 1-2 months due to water content and lack of synthetic preservatives.
• Signs of spoilage include off odors, color changes, or visible mold growth. When in doubt, discard and prepare a fresh batch.

Wrap Up

These four natural recipes transform kitchen cleanup from chemical exposure into safe, effective cleaning. Whether you prioritize speed (Recipe 1), cost savings (Recipe 2), convenience (Recipe 3), or maximum performance (Recipe 4), homemade formulations deliver superior results while protecting your family and environment.

Remember the critical safety rule: NEVER use these recipes in automatic dishwashers. The specialized chemistry of machine detergents differs significantly from hand dishwashing formulations.

Choose the homemade dishwashing liquid recipe that best matches your lifestyle and cleaning needs. Start with the Quick & Simple Liquid Castile Base if you are new to DIY cleaning products.

Share your results and favorite scent combinations with friends and family. Natural cleaning creates ripple effects that benefit entire communities while reducing environmental impact one kitchen at a time. Visit the Totally website for more daily life remedies and tips!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is homemade dish soap safe for dishwashers? 

Absolutely not. The foam will overflow and damage the dishwasher’s pump, seals, and electronics. These recipes are designed exclusively for hand washing only.

Can I mix Liquid Castile soap and vinegar? 

Yes, for immediate use. However, avoid mixing Washing Soda with cold liquid Castile, as this causes rapid clumping.

What is the shelf life of DIY dish soap?

Use the diluted liquid or gel within 1-2 months. Since it contains water and no synthetic preservatives, spoilage (mold or off odors) is possible after that time.

Which essential oils cut grease best? 

Use Lemon (due to its limonene content), Tea Tree, or Eucalyptus oils for their natural degreasing and antimicrobial properties.