Dishwashing Liquid Switch

I am going to very upfront about this, this is the toughest of all the DIY switches to make. This is a pure soap solution without artificial foaming agents so it does not bubble up like a typical dish liquid. However, it does not cause algae blooms like traditional dish liquid either.

The other important thing to note, our solution is multi-purpose! So effectively you can use your handmade 'Dish liquid' as hand wash, body wash, dog wash, car wash and to make cleaning sprays. It is customisable too, so you can add more soap for more lather, thicken the solution so it's like a gel and fragrance as you choose with essential oils.

If you do not have a dishwasher and do everything by hand, then I actually recommend teaming this with a hard dish soap bar. Yes it's the traditional method, but it works and has passed the test of time. We even have the cool soap swisher cages to make it easy to lather in really hot water and to make use of soap scraps.

There are 3 main ingredients needed to make a gel like Dish Liquid.

Liquid Castile Soap - a pure soap made from olive and coconut oil
Glycerine - not only a moisturiser, but it helps emulsify ingredients, especially xanthan gum
Xanthan Gum - thickens any water based solutions into gels, but best used with glycerine for easier mixing

Note: You could just use the Castile Soap undiluted however it is a little runny, so thickening it is a good idea. It's also concentrated, so diluting it stretches it out further and saves money.

How to make the dish liquid

This recipe makes 500ml dish liquid

The Ingredients

25- 50ml liquid Castile Soap
1/4 teaspoon Xanthan Gum
1 tablespoon Vegetable Glycerine
450 - 475ml Distilled water or boiled tap water
5-10 drops Essential Oils (optional)

The Instructions

1. Combine Glycerine and Xanthan Gum in a bowl, mixing until a smooth paste forms (This is your thickening gel)
2. Slowly add liquid Castile Soap and water to the gel mixture while gently whisking. Avoid creating excessive bubbles and continue whisking until you achieve the desired consistency.
3. Transfer the mixture to a pump bottle, and it's ready for use

A 500ml Castile Soap can produce anywhere between 500ml to 10L of Dish/Hand Wash based on your personal preferences. The only way to know what is best for you is to try it for yourself.

Explore our selection of products to support your switch. Browse and add your favourites to your cart.