Washing dishes isn’t my favorite chore, but I’m enthusiastic about this homemade dish soap. It’s effective, gentle on sensitive skin, free of artificial dyes and fragrances, and remarkably simple to make with just three ingredients. It creates abundant, long-lasting suds, cuts grease, rinses clean (even in hard water), and leaves dishes, cutlery, and glassware sparkling — all while smelling fresh and costing only pennies per sinkful.
- Powerful yet gentle — cleans effectively without irritating skin
- No artificial additives — no dyes, synthetic fragrances, or preservatives
- Three simple ingredients — easy to mix at home
- Big, lasting bubbles — plenty of foam for a full sink of dishes
- Grease-cutting and rinse-friendly — works in soft and hard water
- Economical — very low cost per use
Three key ingredients
- Sal Suds — a concentrated, plant-based detergent that cuts grease and grime while remaining mild on skin. Compared with liquid Castile soap, Sal Suds performs better for dishwashing: it produces more bubbles, removes stuck-on food more effectively, and rinses cleanly even in hard water, leaving silver and glass sparkling.
- Baking soda — adds gentle scouring power to help remove stubborn food without scratching dishes or glass.
- Lemon essential oil — boosts cleaning power and provides a fresh, natural scent. Lemon essential oil is commonly used in many homemade cleaners for its effective, pleasant aroma.
How to make this homemade dish soap
Step 1: Measure Sal Suds
Pour 1 cup of Sal Suds into a glass mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add water
Add 1 cup of distilled or boiled-and-cooled filtered water.
Step 3: Add baking soda
Stir in 1 teaspoon of baking soda to lend gentle scrubbing power.
Step 4: Add lemon essential oil
Mix in 20 drops of lemon essential oil for added cleaning boost and a fresh scent.
Step 5: Whisk until dissolved
Use a whisk to blend the ingredients until the baking soda is fully dissolved and the solution is uniform.
Step 6: Transfer to a container
Pour the finished soap into a suitable bottle or dispenser. A cruet-style bottle or a mason jar pump both work well and look tidy by the sink.
Recipe summary
1 cup Sal Suds
1 cup distilled or boiled-and-cooled filtered water
1 teaspoon baking soda
20 drops lemon essential oil
Whisk until smooth and pour into your chosen dispenser.
How to use
- Use 1–2 teaspoons of the homemade soap per sink full of dishes.
- Fill the sink about halfway with hot water to create a bubbly wash basin.
- Add dishes and let especially greasy or stuck-on items soak briefly in the hot, soapy water before scrubbing.
- Wash as usual, rinse thoroughly, and dry by air or towel—both work well with this formula.
Supplies
Sal Suds, lemon essential oil, distilled water (or boiled and cooled filtered water), baking soda, and a dispenser such as a cruet or mason pump. These items are commonly available from kitchen and home-care stores or online retailers.
Related recipes and ideas
If you enjoy DIY cleaners with essential oils, you may also like streak-free window and mirror cleaner, a homemade soft scrub, or other lemon-scented cleaning recipes. These simple, natural solutions make everyday cleaning more pleasant and effective.
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Please note: Products mentioned here have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for medical concerns.
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