Your Basket

Shipping & taxes calculated at checkout

Checkout - Total:

2 February 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez

How to Make Antibacterial Hand Wash

Take power over your hygiene routine with this easy-to-follow DIY hand wash recipe.

Person washing hands over a bathroom sink.

We've all witnessed the importance of hygiene these past few years.

The responsibility to keep our health in check has been constantly rising, and many of us have been filling our homes to the brim with unique-smelling lotions and potions as a result.

While these can certainly hold their own benefits now and then, it can be pretty easy to question what exactly goes into every sparkly shop-bought bottle - and what it's doing for our cleanliness overall.

Making your own DIY antibacterial hand wash can not only provide you with assurance on the ingredients, but also give you a simple yet effective tool for sharing with your friends and loved ones.

Crafting soaps by hand opens up the opportunity to add essential oils into the mix too, leaving your hands smelling great while also tackling bacteria the natural way.

With that in mind, we'll be detailing our favourite DIY antibacterial soap recipe using essential oils.

Soap Icon

How to Make Antibacterial Hand Wash

If you're looking to save a pretty penny on hand soaps around your home, or if you're after a more natural way to up your hygiene routine, this quick and simple recipe can set you on the right track.

You will need:

Step 1: Choose your container

The above advice is based on a 1 litre sized container, however feel free to modify the amounts dependant on the size of the dispenser you're using.

If you choose to use an old shop-bought dispenser, we recommend rinsing it thoroughly before use.

Step 2: Prepare your ingredients

Carefully empty your castile liquid soap into a jug. Try not to use a bowl for this step, as it could be much harder to pour the mixture back in later!

Add in your sweet almond oil. Then, measure out and add your essential oils. We recommend a 1% dilution rate for any quantity you're using, so be careful not to be too heavy-handed when measuring.

Step 3: Mix it all together

If you're wanting to add food colouring to your soap, drop this in here. Then, proceed to slowly mix your oils together with a whisk or electric mixer (whichever is preferable).

Once fully blended, pour carefully back into the bottle, and you're done!

 

Why should I use tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils?

Known as "the medicine cabinet in a bottle", tea tree oil is packed with more antibacterial properties than almost any other essential oil on the market.

Used for everything from reducing acne build-up to tackling dandruff, the antimicrobial properties of tea tree have been revered by aromatherapists and scientists alike - with a confirming these effects across a number of common infections.

Eucalyptus oil, on the other hand, carries a refreshing scent that can not only help to clear the airways, but also protect your body from illness in the first place.

Like tea tree, eucalyptus oil has been for its effects against bacteria and has been proven to tackle staph as well as E. coli strains in testing.

If you're not a fan of the herbaceous scent profile, or you had other aromas in mind for your soap, feel free to use any other essential oil of your choosing.

Many of them contain antimicrobial properties of note, and they can also add other benefits to your soap - like calming or energising qualities.

Some other popular antibacterial essential oils include:

Person adding soap to their hands from a bottle.

What is castile soap?

Castile soap is a vegetable-based soap that is made without synthetics and without animal fat.

It can be found on most DIY online retailers and is generally considered the best way to find a "pure soap" base that is still vegan-friendly.

If you would rather not use castile for your hand wash, some other popular options include glycerine, or a biodegradable base like shea butter.

Alternatively, you can try melting existing soap bars you may have constructed in the past.

If you're interested in making your own soap bars at home, you can follow our beginner's guide as a good starting point.

What's the benefit of using carrier oils for soap?

Carrier oils, like sweet almond oil, are natural and unsaturated fats typically derived from seeds, nuts, or vegetables.

While they're mostly valued in cold pressed soaps for their ability to maintain the bar's firmness, they are also a worthy asset in liquid soaps as they can help improve the longevity of your chosen mixture.

Carrier oils can also provide additional benefits for your soap, such as moisturising properties for the skin as well as a host of healthy fats and vitamins.

Learn more about carrier oils and their benefits.

Person adding soap to their hands from a bottle.

How do I achieve the full benefits of my antibacterial hand wash?

No matter what kind of hand soap you choose, none will be totally effective unless you wash your hands in the proper way.

It will certainly be more tempting to use your own DIY soap as opposed to a shop-bought version, but regardless you should always keep note of the following method:

  1. Run the tap with warm water.
  2. Rub the soap in your hands until it lathers completely across your palms, fingers, wrists, and fingernails.
  3. Continue to wash your hands in this fashion for at least 15-20 seconds before rinsing your hands well.

With this technique in mind, you can be assured that both the strength of the soap and the goodness of the essential oils will be properly integrated into your hands.

Are there any precautions?

Like many natural products, essential oils are known for being extremely potent on the skin - especially when undiluted.

Though they're sufficiently weakened once in the soap mixture, it's always a good idea to carefully monitor the amount of oil you're putting in.

Any more than 1% could risk a reaction, and more vulnerable people such as children or the elderly should opt for an even lower percentage still.

If you've never used essential oils before, or if you're prone to allergies, its also advised to perform a patch test of your soap before use.

Droplet Icon

Making your own DIY antibacterial hand wash is a great way to naturally combat microbes while still understanding the base of your products.

It's also a fun gift idea for those around you, so feel free to try as many different scent combinations as you'd like.

Shop our essential oil range.

Shop our carrier oil range.

You might also like to read

Small spray bottle misting a room

26 July 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez

How to Make Room Spray

Master the art of creating enchanting room sprays at home with our step-by-step guide. Elevate your space with delightful, personalised scents.

Two yellow candles with the wicks tied up to keep them straight

25 July 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez

How to Choose the Right Wick for Your Candles

Learn the art of selecting the ideal wick for your candles and achieve a perfect, even burn

Circular soy wax melts with dried lavender sprinkled on the tops

30 June 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez

How to Make Soy Wax Melts

Discover the art of crafting homemade soy wax melts and fill your space with captivating aromas using our expert tips and easy-to-follow tutorials.

Rows of gel wax melts

29 June 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez

How to Make Gel Wax Melts

Master the art of crafting mesmerising gel wax melts with our expert guide.

Small pile of wax melts with dried lavender sprinkled on the top

28 June 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez

How to Make Wax Melts to Sell

Master the art of crafting and selling irresistible wax melts with our expert guide to create high-quality, in-demand products that will captivate customers and boost your business.

Small pile of circular wax melts with botanicals within them

24 June 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez

How to Make Wax Melts

Master the art of crafting homemade wax melts with our expert guide, and fill your space with captivating fragrances.

Small lit candle sat on a shelf

23 June 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez

How to Make Candles From Old Candles

Learn the art of candle recycling and create new candles from your old ones with our step-by-step guide.

Three textured candles with varying ridges

20 June 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez

How to Make Candle Moulds at Home

Discover the secrets of crafting homemade candle moulds with our expert guide.

We use strictly necessary cookies to personalise your site experience. You can learn more here.