Dish Detergent

The older I get, the more I notice how dry my hands get after washing dishes or any household chore that involves a cleaning product.

I have known for years now that using the blue dish detergent is brutal on my hands.

I have made several different recipes for homemade dish detergent. I like this one best. It makes good suds, but is gentle on my hands. It's easy to make, no heating on the stove or special tools are needed.

You can switch it up and add a different essential oil, like orange instead of lemon. I choose lemon because it helps eliminate "onion" smells on my hands, and it also smells "clean" to me.

Equipment:

Measuring cups and spoons

Mixing bowl or jug

Whisk or spoon

Funnel (optional)

Reusable bottle or dispenser (16-20 oz capacity)pacity)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup liquid castile soap (unscented or mildly scented, like Dr. Bronner’s)

1/4 cup cocamidopropyl betaine (for extra foaming and mild cleansing)

1 cup distilled water

1 tablespoon washing soda (sodium carbonate, for grease-cutting)

10-20 drops essential oil (optional, e.g., lemon or tea tree for antibacterial properties)

1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin (optional, for added thickness and moisturizing)

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup distilled water with 1 tablespoon washing soda. Stir until fully dissolved. (Warm the water slightly if needed to help dissolve.)

Slowly pour in 1/2 cup liquid castile soap and gently stir to combine. Avoid creating too much foam.

Add 1/4 cup cocamidopropyl betaine and stir gently. This boosts foaming and enhances cleaning power.

Add 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin for thickness and 10-20 drops of essential oil for scent or antibacterial properties. Stir gently.

Use a funnel to pour the mixture into a reusable bottle or dispenser. Shake gently to mix.

Allow the detergent to rest for a few hours to stabilize and reduce excess foam.

Shake gently before use.

Use 1-2 teaspoons per sink of hot water for handwashing dishes. Adjust as needed for greasy loads.

Not recommended for dishwashers unless diluted significantly (test a small batch first).

Notes: I switched from using "Sal's Suds" to Cocamidipropyl betaine (derived from Coconut Oil) because it was less expensive. You can use whatever "surfactant" you want; this is what makes your soap bubbly and sudsy.