Easy: How to Make Foaming Hand Soap with (cheap and effective) Castile

Wondering what the best foaming hand soap refill is? I looked up the highest-rated, lowest-cost, and antibacterial. I also learned how to make foaming hand soap several years ago. I looked up a recipe for Foaming Hand Soap and ended up really loving the result. One bottle of Castile soap from Amazon lasts me a really long time. Add a couple of ingredients you probably already have on hand (water and a little olive oil) and you’re set.

Skip to How to make foaming hand soap.

Best foaming hand soap refill

If you’re not up for DIY, here are the best foaming hand soap refills you can purchase. I rounded up the:

Highest-Rated
Lowest-Cost
Antibacterial

Highest-Rated foaming hand soap refill

First, the highest-rated foaming hand soap refill is Method foaming hand soap refill.

These are 6.99 per pack at Target, so buying 6 packs would be $41.94, so buying them on Amazon is usually cheaper.

Lowest Cost foaming hand soap refill

Next, the lowest-cost foaming hand soap refill is from Clean Revolution. Method foaming hand soap (above) is usually ~$0.21/oz. Clean Revolution has 4 out of 5 stars and runs ~$0.13/oz.

Scents available:

Antibacterial foaming hand soap refill

Lastly, if you are looking for antibacterial foaming hand soap (read about traditional soap vs. antibacterial soap), I would recommend Sanit Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap Refill.

Best Foaming Hand Soap Dispenser

I bought a couple of foaming hand soap dispensers for our small bathroom remodel and I love them.

How to Make Foaming Hand Soap

Ingredients

– Water (Use distilled or boiled water if soap won’t be used within a few weeks)

– 2 Tablespoons Castile Soap (I prefer unscented, but you can get some scented Castile soap)

– ½ tsp. Olive Oil (or almond oil) — helps lubricate the pump.

– (Optional) Essential oil – For scent

How To Make Foaming Hand Soap

Fill foaming soap dispenser with water until ~1″ from top
Add at least 2 Tbsp. castile soap
Add 1/2 tsp. Olive Oil
(OPTIONAL) Add essential oils

Step 1. Fill the foaming soap dispenser with water – About 1 inch from the top (to leave room for soap and pump)

Step 2. Add at least 2 Tablespoons of Castile soap to the water. NOTE: Add the Castile soap AFTER the water. If you add the soap to the dispenser first THEN add water, you’ll create a bubbly mess.

Scented or Unscented Castile Soap – Variety of Scents

I prefer unscented Castile Soap, but if you prefer a scent, castile soap comes in a variety of scents, mostly made by the long-time name of Dr. Bronner Castile Soaps:

Unscented (my preference) – This way, you can leave it unscented or add your own essential oils

Step 3. Add ½ teaspoon Olive or Almond Oil (this keeps the pump lubricated and working well. Don’t add too much olive oil or you’ll end up with residue).

Step 4. If you are adding (optional) essential oils, add them now.

Step 5. Replace the dispenser pump top (over the sink in case of overflow) and shake.

Save Time–Make a Double Batch of Foaming Hand Soap

I keep a few extra foaming hand soap dispensers on hand. That way, when I run out of soap, I can make a double batch that lasts me twice as long. Remember that if your soap will not be used within a few weeks, you might achieve better results with distilled or boiled water.

The Science Behind Soap–Why Castile Soap May Be Better

Is Castile Soap as Effective as Antibacterial Soap?

The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that you might be better off with old-fashioned soap, like Castile soap, as the FDA takes issue with the most common ingredient in antibacterial soap–Triclosan.

From the FDA’s Article: “Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It, Use Plain Soap and Water”

“According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there isn’t enough science to show that over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water. To date, the benefits of using antibacterial hand soap haven’t been proven. In addition, the wide use of these products over a long time has raised the question of potential negative effects on your health.”

How Regular Soap (surfactants) works versus Antibacterial Soap

From Business Insider:

“While regular soap works by mechanically removing germs from your hands, antibacterial soap contains chemicals that can kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. And apparently that old wash-off-the-germs method works just as well as the kill-them-on-contact approach.”

Foaming Hand Soap Refills

If you decide you’re not up for DIY, check out the best foaming hand soap refills.

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BEST Foaming Hand Soap REFILLS in 2021 + How to make foaming hand soap 👏