If you spend your days digging in the garden, tending animals, or working in the shop, you know how hard it can be to scrub away dirt, grime, and grease. The last thing you want is a hand soap loaded with harsh chemicals that dry out your skin. That’s why I love making my own DIY foaming hand soap—it’s tough on messes, gentle on skin, and completely non-toxic.

With just a handful of natural ingredients, you can whip up a batch in minutes. It’s inexpensive, effective, and you’ll never have to rely on store-bought soap again. You will see how this simple, natural foaming hand soap recipe can change the way you wash up after a hard day’s work. Once you make your own foaming hand soap, store-bought hand soap will be one more thing you won’t have to rely on the store for.

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Why you will Love this Foaming Hand Soap

Gentle but powerful – Designed to tackle grease and dirt without stripping your skin.
Non-toxic and safe – Free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and harmful chemicals.
Moisturizing – With vitamin E and castile soap, your hands stay clean and soft.
Customizable – Adjust the oils to your favorite scent or skin needs.
Budget-friendly – One 16-ounce batch costs far less than store-bought foaming soap.
Sustainable – Refill your glass foaming soap bottle again and again.

What You’ll Need

Supplies

A 16-ounce glass foaming hand soap dispenser (glass is best for essential oils).
A small funnel (for easy pouring).
Measuring cups and droppers.

Useful Equipment for DIY Foaming Hand Soap

Foaming Soap Dispenser

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Stainless Steel Funnels

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Why These Ingredients Work

Together, these ingredients create a powerhouse soap—effective at scrubbing away soil, grease, and grit while keeping your hands nourished.

Plain Castile Soap – A plant-based soap that cuts through dirt and grease naturally without harsh sulfates. It’s been trusted for generations for its gentle cleaning power. Dr. Bronner’s castile soap is my personal preference.
Vitamin E Oil – Nourishes dry, cracked hands and promotes skin healing. Ideal for hands that require extra care.
doTERRA Abode – A powerful cleaning blend designed to combat kitchen and household messes. It’s known for its surface-cleaning strength, making it an excellent choice for hands exposed to grime.
doTERRA Wild Orange – Naturally uplifting, Wild Orange is a citrus oil that has powerful cleansing properties and fresh citrusy scents that makes washing hands enjoyable.
doTERRA OnGuard – One of my favorite blends. With clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus, it provides immune support while naturally sanitizing.

Useful Supplies for DIY Foaming Hand Soap

Castile Liquid Soap

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Vitamin E Oil

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My Favorite doTERRA Products for Foaming Hand Wash

DoTERRA Abode, OnGuard and Wild Orange

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Foaming Hand Soap

Add Pure Castile Soap – Pour ½ cup liquid castile soap into your foaming dispenser.
Add Vitamin E – Mix in 10 drops for added moisturizing power.
Add Drops of Essential Oils – Drop in Abode, Wild Orange, and OnGuard oils.
Top with Water – Fill the bottle with filtered water, leaving about 1 inch at the top.
Shake Gently – Secure the pump and swirl to combine.
Use as Needed – Push down on the top of the pump to dispense the soap. One pump is plenty for a deep clean. Wash your hands in warm to hot water. This foam soap will replace your bar soap.

Customize Your Soap for Your Skin & Scent

One of the best aspects of making your own soap is that you can tailor it to suit your specific needs.

Moisturizer Swap – Instead of vitamin E oil, try fractionated coconut oil. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and deeply moisturizing—perfect for cracked or dry skin. Plus, it helps keep the essential oils evenly distributed in your soap.
Optional Essential Oils – Not a fan of cinnamon or citrus? No problem. Try tea tree or lemon essential oil.
- Lemon – Adds a clean scent and has natural antibacterial properties.
- Tea Tree – A powerhouse oil known for its ability to fight bacteria and odors, making it great for shop or barn hands.
- Lavender – Soothing and calming, while still gently cleansing.

Pro Tip:
Mix and match oils based on the season, your skin’s needs, or just what scent you’re in the mood for. That’s the beauty of DIY—your soap, your way.

Glass foaming hand soap bottle, pure castile soap and three essential oils bottles.

Why I Use doTERRA Oils

On the homestead, I want products that are safe, pure, and effective. That’s why I chose doTERRA. Their oils are sourced responsibly, tested for purity, and incredibly potent. For me, that means peace of mind knowing my family’s skin is absorbing something natural—not synthetic fillers or questionable chemicals.

Abode cleans like a champ—perfect for hardworking, dirty hands.
Wild Orange keeps the soap refreshing and bright.
OnGuard adds immune support, which is especially handy during cold-weather months when we’re in and out of the shop or barn.

When to Use It!

After gardening – Cuts through soil and plant resin.
In the shop – Effective for greasy, grimy hands without harsh solvents.
Kitchen cleanup – Washes away food odors, like garlic and onions. I keep a bottle in each bathroom and one by the kitchen sink.
Everyday use – Safe enough for kids to use daily.

Storage

Keep in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
A 16-ounce bottle typically lasts several weeks with regular use.
Refill as needed—this recipe takes just under 5 minutes to make

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use plastic bottles?

Essential oils can break down plastic over time. Glass bottles are safer and last longer.

2. Can I swap the essential oils?

Yes! Lemon, lavender, or tea tree are excellent alternatives, but the Abode and OnGuard blends pack the strongest punch for tough messes.

3. Will this dry out my hands?

No—thanks to the addition of castile soap and moisturizing carrier oils, it’s nourishing even with frequent washing

4. Is it safe for kids?

Yes! This gentle, non-toxic formula is perfect for little hands and the whole family.

5. Which carrier oil is best for foaming hand soap?

It depends on your skin needs! Choose one—or combine two—for the perfect balance of nourishment and moisture

Vitamin E Oil: Best for healing and repairing dry, cracked hands.
Fractionated Coconut Oil: Lightweight, keeps oils mixed, and is deeply moisturizing.
Jojoba Oil: Closest to natural skin oils, absorbs quickly without clogging pores.
Grapeseed Oil: Rich in antioxidants, absorbs fast, and leaves no greasy feel.

For those of us living the homestead lifestyle, keeping things simple, natural, and effective matters. Making your own homemade foaming hand soap is a great way to cut through the grime of daily work while protecting your skin. With simple ingredients like castile soap, vitamin E, and the power of doTERRA essential oils, you’ll have a natural solution tough enough for garden soil, shop grease, and kitchen messes—without toxins.

Once you try this recipe, you may never buy commercial soap again—clean hands, happy skin, and one more step toward self-sufficiency.

If you try this recipe and love it, please tag me on Instagram and Facebook @grindinggearsfarmstead.

Lechyd Da, (means “Cheers to Good Health” in Welsh)