Do you have a special bar of soap you just wish came in body wash form? Looking to pinch a few pennies? Then you better take a look at this DIY body wash. This guide uses any bar of soap to make a creamy body wash in a snap.
Is anyone tired of losing the soap when you are trying to bathe an unruly toddler? This DIY body wash is the perfect remedy. It is actually fairly easy to take your favorite bar of soap into a liquid wash. You might just become addicted to this activity. All you need is a little bit of elbow grease and a stove.
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You can really make this DIY body wash your own and get those creative juices flowing. Is your favorite soap unscented? Add in some essential oils to make a delicious-smelling body wash. The sky is the limit when it comes to your creativity.
How To Make A DIY Body Wash
- Using a cheese grater, finely grate your favorite bar of soap
- Add 2-3 cups water to the grated soap, and stir over medium heat until the soap completely dissolves and the water looks “milky”
- Optional Add-in essential oils or coloring
- Allow the mixture to cool for around two hours. At this point, it will start resembling a body-wash type gel
- Optional Heat mixture and add more water to reach desired texture
- Transfer body wash into a squeeze container and use
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Tips For The Best DIY Body Wash
- The first time you make this recipe, the amount of water will vary depending on your particular soap. Begin with 2-3 cups of water. If the mixture is too thick once it cools (it may even completely solidify) heat the mixture back up and add more water.
- If the body wash is too runny, heat the mixture up and add more soap. Once you find the correct ratio for your particular bar of soap, write it down so next time it will be an easier process.
- This body wash will not lather. If you crave the sudsy lather, experiment by adding in some glycerin. Glycerin can be purchased at any health food store. Adding castile soap to your mixture will also create a lather. Commercial body wash uses sulfates to create a lather, and this natural recipe does not include additive lathering chemicals.
- If your skin is especially dry, considering adding in a tablespoon of vitamin E oil, or some coconut oil. Coconut milk is not suggested, as it will decrease the shelf life of your body wash to a few days before it turns rancid.
- If you would like to add a scent to unscented soap, add in some essential oil drops. Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant, or lavender oil is known for its soothing scent that relaxes your body.
A DIY body wash is easier to accomplish than anyone would think. Just find the perfect bar and get crafting!
WANT TO READ MORE?
Feeling crafty? Here is a guide for “Handmade & Natural Coconut Oil Lotion”.
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I used 4 bars of soap and made a large batch. the soap was dial, and it was white, so when it was done “cooking”, i added 2 drops of blue food coloring to give it some color.
Thanks for your information, I’m planning to make my own body wash from handmade soap that I bought from a friend of mine who owns an herbal store called Prairieland Herbs in Woodward Iowa!
Thanks for your post on how to make body wash from soap. How much glycerin should be added per bar of soap?
Hi Dana,
I don’t personally mind that this soap doesn’t lather, so I’ve never made it with glycerin before. I did, however, link another recipe above that uses it, if you’d like to check that out and see how they differ. 🙂
Thanks for your comment!
I am making some right now with some African black soap that we love! I’ll let you know how it turns out. 🙂
I just tried this for the first time a few hours ago using one bar of natural lavender shea butter soap that has a few different kinds of EOs. I added honey, hemp oil and more lavender. I didn’t add enough water though so it turned almost solid inside the bottles but thick and slimy. Unusable! I just put it all back in the stove pot and did it over again like you said to with added water. Fingers crossed! Thanks for posting this!
Was it the African Black Soap used for Psoriasis and Eczema? If so i am planning on doing that same thing and was wondering how yours turned out?
Thanks!
I remember it had a yellow label. I’m sorry, since it was so long ago I don’t remember specifically which soap, but I do remember it was recommended for eczema. It turned out really great! It doesn’t lather as mentioned above, but it had a nice creamy texture.
That’s exactly why I’m here I wanted to turn my black soap into a body wash! Any updates on how it turned out?
Hi! I’m so happy to have found this recipe, because all I saw was recipes with Dove, and since I didn’t use Dove, I am trying (still) to find the right amount of water! But at least now I know you can do this with other kinds of soap! And how to try finding the right consistence. Thanks! 😀
What’s the typical shelf life for this? Is it ok to make a big bottle to last a couple of months or should I use it up within a few weeks?
If you make it without coconut milk, it will last a few months. 🙂
I use Olay soap and found that 2 cups of water for 1 bar was too much water. I added another bar and the consistency was much better. Nex time I will start with 1 cup per bar of soap.
Hi! I know this is an old post, but, I have been making my own bar soap for years. I usually make it with a mix of coconut oil and olive or sweet almond. So after each batch of soap I make, I always have a lot of little flakes of soap left over that cannot be put in the mold for a the bars. I tried to make body wash with those flakes, but for some reason, regardless of how much soap I add, the mixture eventually separates. I can stick blend it into a lovely silky body wash texture but it within about 12 hours, it separates. The liquid on the bottom and the the white frothy thick part on the top. Any advice on how to combat this?