How to Make Liquid Soap from Bar Soap – Easy DIY

Learn how to make liquid soap from bar soap with this simple, quick, and cost-effective DIY project. In this eco-friendly guide, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for how to turn bar soap into liquid soap, how to mix it properly, and ways to store it safely. 

If you’re looking to make a liquid soap that has a creamy, moisturizing formula, try making this project with Dove soap. It melts easily and creates a liquid soap with a smooth scent-free base that you can customize with glycerin, vitamin E, and essential oils.

This tutorial to make bar soap into liquid soap works for making both hand soap and body wash. Keep reading to learn this simple soap-making recipe.

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What you’ll need to make liquid soap from bar soap

To turn bar soap into liquid soap, gather these items:

Supplies:

• 1 bar of unscented Dove soap – 3.75 ounces/106 grams
• 2- 2 ½ cups of distilled water – to prolong shelf life

Optional add-ins:

• 10-15 drops of essential oils – for scent (lavender, vanilla, or citrus work well)
• 1 teaspoon of glycerin – for a smoother texture
• ½ teaspoon of vitamin E oil – to help moisturize the skin

Tools:

• Food grater – to break down the soap
• Small saucepan – for melting
• Whisk – to combine the soap flakes with water
• Hand mixer – to make the liquid soap smoother
• Funnel – for pouring
• Pump bottle or mounted shower dispenser – To store your finished liquid hand soap or body wash.

These supplies make enough liquid soap for 2 standard 8-ounce hand soap dispensers or one 16-ounce bottle of body wash.

Instructions: How to make liquid soap from bar soap (step-by-step)

The process of making liquid soap from bar soap is easy. Follow the steps below:

Shred the soap bar

Use a food grater to shred the bar of soap into fine shavings. One standard Dove bar (3.75 ounces/106 grams) will produce about 1 cup of soap shavings.

Small pieces of soap melt more quickly and will produce a smoother DIY liquid soap.

Heat the water

Pour 2 – 2½ cups of distilled water into a saucepan. (2 if you are making body wash and 2 ½ if you are making hand soap).

Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Don’t let the water boil. 

Add the soap shavings

Gradually stir in the grated soap flakes and heat until they are fully dissolved, making sure the mixture does not boil. Stir often with a whisk until the mixture has a uniform consistency – about 3-5 minutes. The DIY liquid soap will be thin at this stage.

Cool the liquid soap

Remove the pot from the heat and allow the soap mixture to cool for 15-20 minutes.

Optional add-ins for the DIY liquid soap

Depending on how you like your soap, you can add the following optional ingredients:

• 10-15 drops of essential oils (adds fragrance)
• 1 teaspoon glycerin (makes the soap extra smooth)
• ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil (provides skin nourishment)

You can use all three of these ingredients at the same time. Stir until they are completely combined into the liquid soap.

Return your saucepan to the stove over medium heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes, making sure the mixture does not boil. Remove from the heat, and let the mixture cool again for 15-20 minutes.

Pour the soap into your container

Use a funnel to transfer the liquid soap into a large bottle. 

Let the soap thicken

Let the bottle rest overnight. Be patient. It can take 24 hours for the liquid soap to thicken. Some separation may occur after resting. If needed, shake the bottle before using to mix the soap evenly.

This homemade liquid soap is versatile and can be used for both hands and body, depending on your preference. Once the soap has thickened, transfer it to a shower dispenser to use as a body wash, or to a pump bottle to use as hand soap.

Store any extra soap in a cool, dry place to maintain texture and prevent separation.

Troubleshooting tips

If the DIY liquid soap doesn’t turn out quite the way you expected, here are some quick fixes to adjust the texture and consistency.

• If the soap is too thin, reheat the mixture on the stove and add more grated soap.
• If it is too thick, gradually stir in 1-2 tablespoons of warm distilled water at a time to the cooled soap.
• If the liquid soap is lumpy, beat it with a hand mixer.

Note that Dove liquid soap thickens more slowly than other soap flakes because ot its moisturizers.

How long will homemade liquid soap last?

This DIY liquid soap from bar soap recipe typically lasts for 6-12 months, depending on how it’s made and stored.

• 12 months for soaps made from a soap bar and distilled water only.
• With essential oils, it lasts about 6-9 months, since the oils can oxidize over time.
• If it’s made with tap water, the shelf life is 3-6 months, due to possible bacterial growth.

If you notice changes in smell, color, or texture, it’s time to make a new batch.

Making liquid soap with Dove vs other soap brands

You can make liquid soap from almost any brand of bar soap, but the results vary depending on the formula. Dove bars are known for their moisturizing ingredients, which create a smooth, lotion-like liquid soap.

Some other bar soap options are:

• Dial – Dial offers stronger cleansing and antibacterial properties. This makes it a good choice for heavy-duty use. The soap can feel less moisturizing than Dove and may need extra glycerin or vitamin E added.
• Ivory – Ivory is a pure soap with a lower price tag, making it a cost-effective option.
• Castile – Castile soaps are plant-based, making them a vegan option. They are also biodegradable. 
• Artisan soaps – Artisan soaps often have fragrance added, so these are a good option if you like heavily scented soaps.

Try these other practical DIY projects

If you enjoyed making your own liquid soap, you might like these other hands-on projects that give everyday items new uses.

• Make homemade disinfectant wipes from paper towels — a simple, budget-friendly cleaning solution for your home.
• Homemade fly repellent — keep flies away with Pine-Sol.
• DIY homemade window cleaner – repurpose vinegar, cornstarch, and rubbing alcohol into a budget-friendly window cleaner.

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You can also watch this YouTube slideshow video about how to turn bar soap into liquid soap!

Admin note: This article for making liquid soap from bar soap first appeared on the blog in June 2013. This post has been updated with new photos, a printable project card, and a slideshow video.

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Yield: About 16 ounces of homemade liquid soap

How to Make Liquid Soap Out of Bar Soap - Easy DIY Project

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This DIY project shows how to turn bar soap into liquid soap that can be used as both a hand soap and a body wash.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to turn bar soap into liquid soap.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Active Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 1 day

Total Time 1 day 40 minutes

Difficulty easy

Estimated Cost $5

Materials

• 1 bar of unscented Dove soap (3.75 ounces/106 grams)
• 2 - 2 ½ cups of distilled water
• 10-15 drops of essential oils (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of glycerin (optional)
• ½ teaspoon of vitamin E oil (optional)

Tools

• Food grater
• Small saucepan
• Whisk
• Funnel
• Shower dispenser or pump bottle
• Mixer (optional)

Instructions

1. Use a food grater to shred the Dove bar of soap into fine shavings.
2. Place 2 - 2 ½ cups of distilled water into a medium saucepan. (2 for body wash, 2 ½ for hand soap).
3. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Don't let the water boil.
4. Gradually stir in the soap shavings and heat until they are fully dissolved - about 3-5 minutes. Use a whisk to stir often. The mixture will have a uniform consistency.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the soap mixture to cool for 15-20 minutes. The mixture will be thin at this stage.
6. Optional: Once the mixture has cooled, add 10-15 drops of essential oils (for fragrance), 1 teaspoon of glycerin (makes the soap extra smooth), and/or ½ teaspoon of vitamin E oil (for skin nourishment).
7. Stir until they are combined. Return the saucepan to medium heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
8. Remove from the heat and cool for 15-20 minutes.
9. Use a funnel to transfer the liquid soap into a large bottle.
10. Allow the soap to rest overnight to thicken. It will take up to 24 hours.
11. Some separation may occur. If it does, shake the bottle to mix the soap evenly.
12. If the soap is too thick, gradually add warm distilled water to the cooled liquid soap, 1-2 tablespoons at a time.
13. If the soap is too thin, reheat it on the stove over medium heat, and add more bar soap shavings.
14. Transfer to decorative shower dispensers and hand soap dispensers.
15. Store any extra liquid soap in a cool, dry place.

Notes

Liquid soap made from a bar of soap typically lasts for 6-12 months, depending on how it's made and stored.

• Soaps made from a bar of soap and distilled water only last 12 months.

• Those made with essential oils, glycerin, and vitamin E last 6-9 months.
• If you make it with tap water, the soap will last 3-6 months.

If you notice changes in smell, color, or texture, it's time to make a new batch.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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  Vegetable Glycerin, 100% Pure, Versatile Skin Care, Softening and Moisturizing, 16-Ounce
• 
  Vanilla Lavender Essential Oil Set, Vanilla Fragrance Oil Lavender Scent Oil Set for Soap Making
• 
  Dispenser Set Shampoo Conditioner Body Wash Dispensers with Pumps

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