How To Make Handwash
Make your own sustainable and floral-scented handwash with Jen Chillingsworth's essential recipe from her brilliant book. 'Clean Green'.
We used to go through so many plastic bottles of handwash. I bought cheap supermarket own brand versions and occasionally more expensive brands that came in pretty bottles with exotic sounding ingredients. But regardless of price, the empty bottles were ultimately going to end up in the recycling bin or thrown away to landfill.
It’s very simple to make this natural antibacterial handwash to keep handy in the kitchen or bathroom. I like to use a mixture of essential oils to scent this handwash, but they are optional. If you do have young children, lavender is considered gentle and safe to use, so you could choose to make the handwash with a few drops of lavender essential oil only.
Notes: the mixture may separate, so give it a quick shake to combine. Since oil is added to the mixture, the soap can feel a little greasy when you first use it. The oil is there to nourish the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth, but you can reduce the amount of oil added or leave it out altogether.
How to make foaming handwash
Ingredients
- 500-ml (16-oz) glass bottle with pump dispenser
- Funnel
- 150ml (2⁄3 cup) liquid organic castile soap
- 2 tablespoons organic fractionated coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon glycerine
- Cooled, boiled water or distilled water
- 8–10 drops sage essential oil
- 8–10 drops rosemary essential oil
- 8–10 drops lavender essential oil
Method
- Attach the funnel to the neck of the bottle.
- Pour the liquid castile soap into the glass bottle. Add the fractionated organic coconut oil and the glycerine.
- Fill to the top of the glass bottle with the cooled, boiled water (or distilled water), then add the essential oils, one at a time. Shake gently to combine.
- Attach the pump and tightly screw to fix. Label the bottle.
