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–+ servings
5 bars of solid dish soap next to lemon slices
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4.84 from 12 votes

Homemade Bar Dish Soap

A homemade bar soap that leaves dishes sparkling clean.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
cure time1 day
Total Time1 day 1 hour 15 minutes
Keyword: bar soap for dishes, homemade dish soap, zero waste dish washing
Servings: 12 3.5 ounces bars
Author: Katie

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Make the lye water. Measure the lye and water in separate containers, using a digital scale. Combine the lye and water by adding the lye to the water, then stir until dissolved. The lye solution will shoot up in temperature and become hot. Set aside to cool in a safe place.
    A hand is shown from above, stirring a small glass dish containing lye water.
  • Melt the oils. Measure the castor oil and coconut oil using a digital scale.  Melt over low heat in a stainless steel pot until fully melted and 140 degrees.  Set aside to cool in a safe place.
    A split image showing two stages of soap making; on the left is a digital scale with a steel pot containing solid white coconut oil chunks, and on the right, the same pot now on a linen background with the coconut oil melted into a smooth, light yellow liquid, being stirred with a wooden spoon.
  • Blend the components. When the lye water and melted oils have cooled to about 110 degrees, combine them by pouring the lye water into the melted oils. Blend with a stick blender until a thin trace is reached. (The mixture will thicken slightly and no droplets of oil are visible.) Add the fragrance, if using, and stir in by hand.
    An overhead view of a large yellow pot containing a light yellow liquid soap mixture being stirred with a spatula. The pot is on a textured linen background, indicating a step in the soap-making process.
  • Pour into mold. Immediately pour into a soap mold with individual bars. (The soap dries too hard to cut easily if made as a loaf). Remove from the molds after 24 hours and allow to cure 2 weeks more before using. Store the bar in a place that will allow it to dry as much as possible between uses. 
    An angled overhead shot of a vibrant purple silicone soap mold with individual cavities, being filled with a pale yellow liquid soap mixture from a glass measuring jug, suggestive of the soap setting process.

Video

Notes

To calculate with a different volume, use these percentages:
  • 96.67% coconut oil
  • 3.33% castor oil
  • 1% superfat
Soapmaking safety is very important.  If you aren't familiar with the procedure, please read this beginner's guide to soap first.