To reduce exposure to unnecessary toxins, synthetic fragrances, and potential hormone disruptors, I’ve started making many of my own household cleaners. Common pantry staples like baking soda and vinegar are surprisingly effective for many tasks, but one product that took me longer to perfect was homemade liquid dish soap. Early recipes left residue on dishes, were too thin, or didn’t cut grease well. After more than a year of testing and adjusting, I developed a reliable formula that has the right consistency and cleaning power, and I’m happy to share it here.

One ingredient I want to be upfront about is xanthan gum. While I avoid consuming it intentionally and try to limit processed additives in food, xanthan gum is widely regarded as safe for most people without digestive sensitivities. In my experience it’s the most effective, simple way to thicken castile soap to a texture similar to commercial dish soaps. If you prefer not to use xanthan gum, the recipe will still work without it, but the soap will be thinner in consistency.

In our home, C usually handles the dishes, and he genuinely prefers this version to many store-bought options. He’s picky about scents and sometimes skeptical of my “do-it-yourself” habits, yet he appreciates that this soap cleans well, rinses off without heavy residue, and doesn’t rely on overwhelming fragrances. The recipe is straightforward, uses a short ingredients list, and delivers strong grease-cutting performance—making it a practical choice if you want a cleaner, simpler dish soap.

Homemade Liquid Dish Soap Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tsp washing soda
• 1/4 cup vegetable glycerine
• 1 & 1/2 tsp xanthan gum (optional for thickness)
• 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
• 10 drops essential oil of your choice (lavender, peppermint, lemon, or tea tree work well)

Instructions

1. Bring the water to a gentle boil in a medium saucepan, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer.
2. Add the washing soda and whisk until it fully dissolves. In a separate bowl, combine the xanthan gum and the vegetable glycerine, whisking until the xanthan gum is fully dispersed and no clumps remain.
3. Stir the liquid castile soap into the glycerine and xanthan mixture, whisking gently to combine without creating excess foam.
4. Carefully pour the soap and glycerine mixture into the warm washing soda solution, whisking until the two are evenly combined. Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
5. Once cooled, add essential oil drops if desired and stir gently. Transfer the finished soap to a pump bottle, preferably glass, for dispensing.
6. Use as you would any liquid dish soap: squirt a small amount onto a sponge or into warm water and wash dishes normally.

Notes

This mixture can sometimes separate or form small clumps in the bottle over time. If that happens, warm the bottle briefly under hot tap water and shake it to re-emulsify the contents. Because the formula uses natural ingredients and minimal stabilizers, occasional settling is normal; a quick shake restores consistency.

If you’re looking for a simple, effective, and lower-toxicity alternative to commercial dish soaps, this recipe is a great place to start. It balances cleaning power and gentle ingredients while remaining customizable—adjust the essential oils for scent or omit the xanthan gum if you prefer a thinner product. Small changes to the recipe can be made to suit your preferences and household needs, but the core combination of washing soda, glycerine, and castile soap yields consistently good results for everyday dishwashing tasks.