How many times a day do you wash your hands?

14 times today [yes I counted… yes I’m weird… and yes I’ve accepted it]
If I wash my hands that many times (or more) per day… I think am helping my body to stay non-germy… but…

What’s in commercial hand soap?

Many commercial hand soaps contain:

• triclosan (hormone disruptor, carcinogen)
• fragrance or parfum (this is a loophole for companies to add WHATEVER they feel like)
• parabens (hormone disruptors)
• formaldehyde (super scary toxin)

Why should these ingredients matter? Because what goes on our skin is absorbed into our bodies… and into our bloodstream. Many of these toxins are carcinogenic (have the potential to cause cancer), can disrupt and alter hormones, and can cause skin irritations and allergies. Sounds like a bad dating profile. Not interested… I’m trying to break up with toxic chemicals. We had a bad relationship. </3

My newest beau is my homemade liquid hand soap <3. It contains liquid castile soap, water, essential oils, and vegetable glycerine. Do you prefer foam soap? Click here for my new super easy natural foaming hand soap recipe!

How to Make Liquid Hand Soap

According to Dr. Bronner’s, the dilution ratio is 1 part liquid castile soap to 4 parts water. Please use this as a guideline to make how much will fit into your soap dispenser (ex. 1/4 cup liquid castile soap to 1 cup of water is a 1:4 ratio).

In a glass bowl or large measuring cup [makes it easier to pour after] add 1/4 cup of liquid castile soap.

Next, add about 10-20 drops of essential oils. My favourite scents include:

Citrus Blend:

• 5 drops of Lemon EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy)
• 5 drops of Orange EO  (Young Living or Plant Therapy)
• 3 drops of Grapefruit EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy)

Beat the Winter Flus (adults only):

• 5 drops of Thieves EO Blend (Young Living) a mix of clove, cinnamon bark, rosemary, lemon, and eucalyptus. *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• 2 drops of Oregano EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy) I only use 1-2 drops as it is very potent. *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• 3 drops Eucalyptus EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy) *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*

Beat the Winter Flus (kid friendly):

• 10 drops Sniffle Stopper EO Blend (Plant Therapy)

Floral:

• 5 drops Lavender EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy)
• 5 drops Bergamot EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy)
• 2 drop Ylang Ylang EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy) *Not for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• 2 drops Geranium EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy)

{I use and recommend Young Living Essential Oils and Plant Therapy Essential Oils because they are 100% pure quality essential oils. There are other reputable essential oil companies to purchase from. Your local drug store’s cheap essential oil can give you a rash and not have the same positive effects because most only contain about 10% of the pure oil and the rest is filled with synthetics. Do your research and find a company you feel comfortable purchasing from.}

Slowly pour in 1 cup of filtered or distilled water [Do you want to experience bubblemania when you try to move your soap from the measuring cup/bowl to your dispenser? I mean it when I say slowly.]

To thicken the soap, add 1 tsp at a time of vegetable glycerin until you reach your desired consistency.

Finally pour the concoction into a soap dispenser like a mad scientist [Anyone else feel like this when they create something?] and go wash your hands!

Not a DIYer? Here are some natural alternatives to purchase

• Pronounce Skincare Hand Soap
• Rocky Mountain Soap Lemongrass Hand Wash

Happy Handwashing 🙂

Have you ever experimented with your own soap? What do you use to wash your hands?