I’ve read many methods for making liquid soap.  Most people agree making liquid soap from scratch, that is, from oils and potassium hydroxide, is tricky at best.  Reports of solidifying and separating are pretty universal.  I tried my hand at it a long time ago, and experienced it myself.

I do like the convenience of liquid soap, and don’t want to pay for it at the store, especially considering I don’t really like the product you’ll get there.  After going homemade, it’s almost impossible to go back.

Besides, I’ve found an embarrassingly simple way to make my own liquid castile soap, which doubles as shampoo.  I use it in hand soap pumps by the bathroom and kitchen sink, and put it in an old plastic dishwashing liquid bottle in the shower for shampoo/body wash.  It’s easy to customize with essential oils.

Here’s all I do:

  • Grate a bar of homemade or other castile soap with an ordinary cheese-type grater.

  • Place in a mixing bowl and add water just to cover.

  • Let sit overnight.  No need to heat, no need to do anything.  Maybe drape something over it to keep stuff from falling in it.
  • The next day, the soap will have magically dissolved.  Give it a stir.  If it’s too thick, add a bit of water, a little at a time, until it is the consistency you like.

You can stop there and use it as is in your preferred containers, or add in essential oils for fragrance and awesomeness.  I can’t get enough of peppermint essential oil shampoo.  I tell you, it’s unbelievable.  The kids like it, too.  Also lavender is good for bedtime, and rosemary and tea tree are invigorating and great for skin issues.

Grate it up.  Soak overnight.  Good to go.

Easy as can be.

If you don’t make bar soap yourself, Kirk’s Castile is a good way to go. It’s hypoallergenic and animal free, a good, basic castile at a decent price point. (Also good for homemade detergent).