Commercial hand washes that contain antibacterial agents are toxic. Triclosan is one of those agents. According to the Environmental Working Group, triclosan is linked to liver and inhalation toxicity, and low levels may disrupt thyroid function. Wastewater treatment does not remove all of the chemical, which means it ends up in our lakes, rivers and water sources. That’s especially unfortunate since triclosan is very toxic to aquatic life. Triclosan has been in the news recently and big Australian manufacturers will be removing it from their antibacterial hand washes by the end of 2017.
Here’s a random fact for you: shopping receipts are covered in BPA, and when you use hand sanitisers (many containing triclosan), then handle receipts, you increase your body’s ability to absorb this toxic chemical. Crazy!
This foaming hand wash contains a handful of ingredients. It is deliciously foamy and so simple to make. So go on, JUST DO IT!!
Foaming Hand Wash
Makes: 200 g Prep time: < 5 min.
Ingredients
- 65 g liquid castile soap
- 15-20 drops of essential oils
- 135 g water (see recipe notes)
My Choice of Essential Oils
My favourite essential oils in this recipe are lemon, tea tree and clove, but don’t be limited by my suggestions. Use oils that fit your budget, or those that you already have in your collection. Read here for more information on essential oils.
Special Container Required
Soap bottle (with foam dispenser)
Method
1. Add castile soap and essential oils into soap bottle and swirl to combine.
2. Add water and shake until combined.
To Use
Massage 1-2 pumps of foam over hands. Rinse with warm water.
Recipe Notes
Water should be distilled, purified or pre-boiled and cooled to extend shelf life.
9 Comments
Hi Krissy,
How can I make this foaming wash with soapberry concentrate? Do I need to thicken the concentrate up a little? Thank you for your help and amazing recipes ❤️
Gemma
Hi Gemma, I find castile soap to work the best for this recipe – soapberry stock will be very watery, and thickening it up with something like xanthan gum will likely clog up the fine mesh foaming mechanism. If you’re still keen to try, do so with a super small batch (and if it doesn’t work you can always use it in your washing machine or kitchen sink!). Good luck 🙂
This is the best. Love how simple the recipe is. We love experimenting with oil combinations. Thank you for such a great recipe!
So simple, so good. We have this throughout the house at all our sinks. Thank you ☺️
this handwash is super easy to make and cleans so well. i no longer buy hand wash.
I have this hand soap in my bathrooms and in the kitchen to use daily. it’s so easy to make. I enjoy making different sents.
This recipe is so simple and last for ages. We have never bought hand wash again and plus the kids love the foaming part making washing hands fun
easy to make and I love that I can change the scent up with whatever I feel like. budget friendly too which is great with the amount my kids go through!
This is such a versatile recipe. We probably make this recipe the most. Thanks so much for sharing