...A Simple Non-Toxic Sink Swap for Your Home
One of the easiest places to begin creating a lower-tox home is right at the sink.
Hand soap is something we use multiple times a day, often without thinking twice about it. We wash before meals, after errands, after changing diapers, after being outside, after cleaning, and countless times throughout the day as mums, families, and homemakers. Because it is used so often, hand soap is a beautiful place to start making simple, intentional swaps.
This DIY foaming hand wash is one of my favourite easy home upgrades because it feels practical, beautiful, and doable. You do not need to overhaul your whole house overnight. You can start with one bathroom, one kitchen sink, or one guest bath — and build from there.
Why Make Your Own Foaming Hand Wash?
Making your own foaming hand wash allows you to have more control over what goes onto your skin and into your home environment.
Many conventional hand soaps contain synthetic fragrance, excess dyes, harsh surfactants, antibacterial ingredients, or preservatives that may be irritating for sensitive skin. While not every product is a problem for every person, daily exposure adds up — especially when a product is used over and over again by the whole family.
A DIY foaming hand wash gives you a simple way to choose a fragrance-free base, dilute it for a gentle foaming pump, and add
essential oils based on the scent and atmosphere you want in your home.
It is also refillable, affordable, and customizable. Once you have your soap dispenser and basic ingredients, you can recreate it again and again.
Why I Care About What Goes on the Skin
Your skin is your body’s largest organ and one of your first lines of defense. It acts as a barrier, helps protect the body, and is constantly interacting with the world around you.
When we use products on our skin every day, those choices matter. Harsh formulas, frequent washing, hot water, and synthetic fragrance can all contribute to dryness or irritation for some people. The CDC has noted that frequent handwashing and “wet work” can make hand dermatitis worse, especially when hands are washed many times a day or exposed to water for long periods.
This does not mean we should stop washing our hands. Handwashing is important. It simply means we can choose products that support cleanliness while also being mindful of the skin barrier.
Plain soap and water are effective for routine handwashing. We do not need to reach for heavily fragranced or antibacterial products for everyday use. In fact, the FDA has stated that certain antibacterial ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, can no longer be marketed in consumer antibacterial wash products.
Simple really can be effective.
The Aromatic Side of Hand Soap
Another reason I love making my own hand wash is the aromatic experience.
Scent is powerful. Every time you wash your hands, you are also breathing in whatever fragrance is in that product. With conventional soaps, that often means synthetic fragrance. Fragrance can be a broad category, and for some people, it may contribute to headaches, sensitivities, skin reactions, or general overwhelm.
When you make your own, you get to choose how it smells!
This is one of the things I love about essential oils. They make everyday routines feel intentional.
A Note About Essential Oil Safety
dōTERRA Essential oils are potent, so more is not always better. For a foaming hand wash, you only need a small amount. I recommend starting low, especially if you have children, sensitive skin, or frequent handwashing in your home.
Avoid the eyes, patch test if needed, and discontinue use if irritation occurs.
DIY Foaming Hand Wash Recipe
This recipe is designed for a 15 oz foaming soap dispenser.
What You Need
- Distilled Water: Distilled water is best. Filtered water can work too, but avoid tap water because your soap may spoil faster.
- Foaming Soap Dispenser
If you already have a foaming pump, use what you have. If not,
this is the 15 oz foaming soap dispenser (click for link) I use at home, and I like having one for each bathroom.
Simple Recipe --- You will be mixing the natural soap at a rate of one part soap to two parts water - you can adjust, as needed.
For a 15 oz foaming soap dispenser:
Add about 5 ounces of fragrance-free body wash to the bottle.
Add 10 ounces of distilled water, leaving a little room at the top.
Add 10–20 drops of dōTERRA essential oil.
Put the pump on, shake gently, and use.
If your pump feels too watery, add a little more soap next time. If it feels too thick or does not foam well, add a little more water. Foaming pumps work best when the mixture is thin enough to move through the pump easily.
EXTRA TIP 1: I chose Ginger Lily Body Wash so I could make our own body wash with the scents we love in the shower.
I took an old pump bottle and filled it up, added the essential oils we love, shook it up, and use that in the shower. Multi-use!
EXTRA TIP 2: Add a bottle pump to make pouring easier ---
Ginger Lily Farms also sells a Premium Gallon Pump that dispenses one ounce per pump.
Favourite Essential Oil Options
Tea TreeFresh, clarifying, and clean-smelling. This is a great option for kitchen sinks, utility sinks, or anywhere you want a crisp, simple clean scent.
On GuardWarm, spicy, cozy, and familiar. This is a favorite for everyday home wellness routines and is especially lovely in kitchens and bathrooms during the fall and winter months.
SerenitySoft, calming, and peaceful. I love this one for guest bathrooms, evening routines, or kids’ bathrooms when you want the atmosphere to feel gentle and settled.
Shinrin-YokuWoodsy, grounding, and spa-like. This makes a bathroom feel elevated and peaceful, almost like bringing a little forest bathing moment into your daily routine.
BalanceEarthy, centered, and grounding. This is beautiful for a calm bathroom sink, especially in a busy family home where everyone could use a little more steadiness.
How Long Does It Last?
Because this recipe is diluted with water, I recommend making one bottle at a time and using it within a few weeks. Always use clean hands and clean equipment when making it. If the smell, texture, or appearance changes, discard it and make a fresh batch.
To keep it as fresh as possible, use distilled water and avoid adding extra ingredients that are not needed.
Why This Swap Matters
Creating a healthier home does not have to be complicated. Sometimes the most meaningful changes are the small, repeatable ones.
A foaming hand soap swap is simple. It is something your family will actually use. It reduces unnecessary synthetic fragrance. It gives you control over the ingredients. It helps make your sink area feel beautiful and intentional. And it is easy to recreate again and again.
Start with one bottle.
One bathroom.
One daily routine.
Small swaps add up.
Shop My Favorite Supplies - click to link to products
I’ve linked the exact supplies I use below so you can easily recreate this at home.
-- you can change the cart as you would like. Add or delete to create what you would like to scent your home with!
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business.
Disclaimer: For external use only. Avoid eyes. Keep out of reach of children. Essential oils are potent and should be used as directed. Patch test if needed and discontinue use if irritation occurs. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.