Update 3-14-20: Currently, it is hard for the stores to keep necessary items in stock. I thought it was a good time to update and share this post again. If you are unable to buy hand soap, stretch what you already have to last longer by turning it into foaming soap. Please share with friends and family members. This post was originally published 2-23-12.
DIY FOAMING HAND SOAP
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.I'm always one for saving a buck and this little trick is one I have been using for years. Instead of buying foaming hand soap, I make my own.
SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE FOAM SOAP
To start with you will need a bottle that dispenses foam soap.
Here are a few options for purchasing foam soap dispensing bottles:
- pump dispensers and lids to fit on mason jars you already have
- plastic foaming soap bottles
- glass foaming soap bottles (I really like these ones!)
My go-to is to just re-use a regular foam soap bottle.
I often receive these as gifts, but once it's empty, I keep refilling it over and over, saving tons of money.
You will also need liquid hand soap.
I get this big container at Walmart for around $4. It lasts me a year when I use it to make foam soap.
Note: At this time of shortages, use what you can find. Any liquid hand soap should work.
The last thing you will need is warm water.
Make sure the water is not too hot. For some reason, it doesn't seem to work well with hot water.
And cold water doesn't allow the soap to mix into the water very well. So use warm water.
HOW TO MAKE FOAM HAND SOAP
Begin by filling the bottom of the bottle with about 3/4 to 1 inch of soap.
It is not critical to get the exact amount of soap. You will notice that the foam soap in the pictures below is not super foamy. I probably could have added a bit more and it would have made a better foam.
It's ok if you're soap turns out like mine - just use another squirt or two as needed and add more soap the next time you make it.
Next add warm water to the top of the bottle. Secure the lid and gently shake until soap is thoroughly mixed with the water.
If you don't mix it well enough the first few pumps will be quite soapy instead of foamy. Just mix it some more and it should be fine.
I also like it because I don't feel like I have to monitor usage. You know how kids are - either they try to skip the soap step, or they use six or seven squirts. Since it costs so little, I don't mind if they waste some - at least they're getting clean.
↓ ↓To watch the video, click here ↓ ↓
Thanks. My mum has one of those fancy bottles and while I love the idea of foam soap, I wasn't willing to pay for one of those fancy bottles myself. I picked up a bottle of foam soap for the kids at the local $2 shop (so it has a cutesy label) and will be trying your recipe when the bottle is empty.
ReplyDeleteFound you on the happy go lucky mingle party and glad I did....you've got a wonderful blog! I'm your newest follower! I'd love for you to come and visit my blog!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
4you-withlove.blogspot.com
This is such a great idea! I help to run another blog called the Hosanna Hill Project and we have a Frugal Tip Tuesday post each week. I was wondering if you'd let me share this/guest post for next Tuesday!?
ReplyDeleteI've been doing is for a few years now... my face wash comes in a clear/green pump bottle, so when I empty one I remove the sticker and then I have another foam pump for elsewhere in the house... I also use it with shower gel.
ReplyDeleteI also love that there is less mess than a pump when the kids use it!
Great idea! Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteWow! I had no idea you could do that! What a great idea! I'll have to try it when my foamy soap runs out. Thanks for sharing at our Shine on Fridays party!
ReplyDeleteThis is great. I will do this to reuse the bottles i have once they run out.
ReplyDeleteI’d love if you would come link this up at From Scratch Friday!
~Christina
www.marriagefromscratch.blogspot.com
Great idea. Thanks for sharing it. I just paid way too much for the Method refill. Love the foam, but hated the price.
ReplyDeleteI love this and have always wondered if you could use the soaps like that in the foam dispensers. Thanks for sharing. If you would like I would love to have you link it up at my linky party going on now at www.thesweettalkshop.com Smiles!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's awesome, thanks!
ReplyDeleteFantastic! We go through so much soap it starts to get expensive- especially since I like the foam soap from BBW. Thanks for sharing at Manic Monday!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your soap tip at Bacon Time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing at Taking A Timeout Thursday!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great tip. I do the same thing. I must say though, that on occasion the tiny mesh part in the head gets clogged. I just take off the pumping part and wipe it clean. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome tip, thanks so very much! I found your blog from another site and I love it. I'm new to blogging I hope you'll check mine out, it's not as great as yours.
ReplyDeletemadebyniki.blogspot.com
this is a great tip! i've never heard of this! we have to try this! i love the foaming soap because it makes it easier for little hands to wash! thanks for linking up last week!
ReplyDeletejust wanted to let you know that this was my fave post from last week's party! so it'll be featured!
ReplyDeleteI had to run home and try this the same day I read it! It worked fabulously. Thank you so much for the tip. My husband loves foam soap, and I didn't want to have to keep buying special bottles of it. :) Very happy I found you!
ReplyDeleteNow that is such a good idea. With 5 kids I am constantly filling up.
ReplyDeleteI'm making this now! Thank you for the tip!!
ReplyDeleteI tried this and the first few pumps worked great! However, the next day the only thing that would come of the pump was water. Did I do something wrong?
ReplyDeletehi very nice blog and very nice information and so cool.. I LOVE this product. I will most definitely buy this again.Now that is such a good idea. With 5 kids I am constantly filling up
ReplyDeletehttp://www.supplylinedirect.com/janitorial-supplies/hand-care/soap-dispensers/
Does the soap stop being foamy after you make it? Every time I do this, it ends up watery and never stays foamy. My family doesn't like it since it comes out as water. I follow the directions each time, too.
ReplyDeleteUsually the first few squirts are extra soapy for me, but it hasn't been watery. The only thing I can think of is if you have a regular pump soap dispenser - that would make it come out watery. Make sure you have a foam pump dispenser. I hope that helps. If not, I'm at a loss :(
DeleteThis is wonderful! I'll have to try it!
ReplyDeleteDanielle
SewMuchCrafting.com
I have been doing this for the past six months or so with some bottles i bought from walmart. They had a seasonal theme on them, so i left the plastic wrap on thru the season, and simply ripped the plastic label off, and when the store bought soap was gone, i started doing this with the large refill bottles... I had half a large bottle left and had bought another large bottle before i started refilling the foam pump bottles. I haven't broke into the new bottle yet! I still have a fourth of the first bottle left. I have one bathroom pump and one in the kitchen, but with me and three boys in the house and family visiting all the time it still lasts forever! It was definitely worth it to splurge on the foam pump dispensers!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this. I have always wanted to do this but never gave it much more than a thought. This is simple and has me motivated. I love how not only will it save us money BUT helps the environment. THANK YOU BUNCHES!! :)
ReplyDeleteI used your foam soap tutorial on my blog. I hope you don't mind (I made sure to credit your blog!).
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kidsbynicole.com/2013/02/i-pinned-this-foam-soap.html
Thanks!
Nicole
i was just wounder if this will work with dish soap
ReplyDeleteI bet it would, as long as you have a foam pump dispenser. I'd love to know how it works, let me know if you try it.
DeleteIt definitely does. I've been "making my own" for over a year now. Have never had an issue. I love it because I can make my own scents mixing the tropical and fruity ones together! =]
Deletei just did it for my bathroom. bought a foam dispenser type in hopes this would work. i have a 4 1/2yr old little girl and she loves foam soap...well so do i. tried it, step by step & it works! super happy :) thanks!
ReplyDeleteI just now am seeing this post from a link on your homepage. What a great idea! I pinned it :) I'm working on a post about making household items yourself (laundry detergent, etc.) - when I get farther along I may ask you about permission to include this. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteAngie
http://easylivingmom.com
pampered chef? pretty sure that bottle came from bath and body works, peach Bellini scent. LOL. pretty awesome post though!
ReplyDeleteI originally started doing foam soap with a pampered chef bottle. I didn't like how it worked so I switched to the Bath and Body Works bottle. Just refilled it after I'd used it all.
DeleteHope you try it and it works for you :)
I bought just the real cheap dollar store $1 foam soap container- theirs stink, and refilled it with a "pretty soap" and ahhhh I love it!!! Works amazing!!
ReplyDelete