🍋 Solid Dish Soap Recipe
All-Natural with Fresh Lemon Juice!
📌 In This Complete Guide
📖 The Search is Over!
💬 The message: "I saw a post on here the other day where someone was asking for a solid dish soap recipe, but I forgot to save it! If you're out there I've got a good one! It uses fresh lemon juice for citric acid to avoid that black mold derived stuff (plus, I love that lemons are easily accessible!)."
This is the solid dish soap recipe you've been looking for! Made with fresh lemon juice for natural citric acid, it avoids the black mold derived ingredients found in commercial soaps. It's all-natural, effective, and smells amazing.
And the best part? It works! The lady we get raw milk from tried it and immediately ordered 4 more. This recipe is a keeper!
⭐ The Testimonial
Why This Recipe is a Winner
- 🍋 Fresh lemon juice – Natural citric acid, no black mold derived stuff
- 🌿 All-natural ingredients – Nothing artificial
- 🧼 Effective cleaning – Cuts through grease and grime
- 💪 Long-lasting – Solid bar lasts longer than liquid soap
- ♻️ Zero waste – No plastic bottles
- 💰 Cost-effective – Makes great gifts and saves money
📦 Ingredients
For Solid Dish Soap (Makes 4-6 Bars)
- 🧼 2 cups coconut oil – 76°F melting point
- 🫒 1 cup olive oil – Extra virgin
- 🌻 ½ cup sunflower oil – Or canola oil
- 💧 1 cup distilled water – Or filtered water
- 🧪 ¼ cup lye (sodium hydroxide) – 100% pure
- 🍋 ¼ cup fresh lemon juice – Freshly squeezed
- 🌿 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional) – For extra scent
- 🌿 1 teaspoon salt (optional) – For hardness
⚠️ Important: Lye is caustic. Always wear gloves, goggles, and work in a well-ventilated area. Keep children and pets away.
💡 Pro Tip: "Fresh lemon juice provides natural citric acid, avoiding the black mold derived citric acid found in commercial soaps. Plus, lemons are easily accessible!"
🍋 Why Fresh Lemon Juice?
The Benefits of Fresh Lemon Juice in Soap
- 🌿 Natural citric acid – Lemon juice provides natural citric acid without the black mold derived processing
- 🧼 Cleaning power – Citric acid helps cut through grease and grime
- 🌸 Fresh scent – Natural, clean lemon fragrance
- ♻️ Sustainable – Lemons are accessible and renewable
- 💪 No black mold – Avoids the black mold derived citric acid common in commercial products
💡 Pro Tip: "Commercial citric acid is often derived from black mold (Aspergillus niger) through fermentation. Fresh lemon juice gives you the same benefits without the mold!"
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
How to Make Solid Dish Soap
⚠️ Safety First: Always wear gloves, goggles, and long sleeves when working with lye. Work in a well-ventilated area.
Step 1 – Prepare Your Workspace:
- Set up your area – Cover surfaces with newspaper. Gather all ingredients and tools.
- Wear safety gear – Put on gloves, goggles, and long sleeves.
Step 2 – Prepare the Lemon Juice:
- Juice the lemons – Squeeze enough lemons to get ¼ cup fresh lemon juice.
- Zest (optional) – Zest one lemon and set aside for later.
Step 3 – Mix the Lye Solution:
- Measure water – Pour 1 cup distilled water into a heat-safe container.
- Add lye – Slowly add ¼ cup lye to the water while stirring. Do not inhale fumes.
- Cool – Let the lye solution cool to room temperature.
Step 4 – Mix the Oils:
- Combine oils – In a separate pot, combine 2 cups coconut oil, 1 cup olive oil, and ½ cup sunflower oil.
- Heat – Heat gently until all oils are melted and combined.
- Cool – Let the oils cool to room temperature.
Step 5 – Combine and Blend:
- Add lemon juice – Stir ¼ cup fresh lemon juice into the cooled lye solution.
- Combine – Slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils while stirring.
- Blend – Use an immersion blender to blend until "trace" – when the mixture thickens and leaves a trail on the surface.
- Add zest – Stir in lemon zest and salt if using.
Step 6 – Mold and Cure:
- Pour into molds – Pour the soap mixture into molds.
- Insulate – Cover with a towel and let sit for 24 hours.
- Unmold – Remove from molds and cut into bars.
- Cure – Let the bars cure for 4-6 weeks before using.
💡 Pro Tip: "The lemon juice gives the soap a beautiful yellow color and a fresh, clean scent. It's perfect for dishwashing!"
📄 Solid Dish Soap Recipe
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SOLID DISH SOAP ║
║ All-Natural with Fresh Lemon Juice ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
INGREDIENTS (4-6 Bars):
- 2 cups coconut oil (76°F melting point)
- 1 cup olive oil (extra virgin)
- ½ cup sunflower oil (or canola)
- 1 cup distilled water
- ¼ cup lye (sodium hydroxide)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (optional)
- 1 tsp salt (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Set up workspace with safety gear
2. Juice lemons for ¼ cup fresh juice
3. Slowly add lye to water, cool to room temp
4. Combine oils, heat until melted, cool to room temp
5. Stir lemon juice into cooled lye solution
6. Combine lye mixture with oils
7. Blend until "trace" (thickened)
8. Add zest and salt if using
9. Pour into molds, cover, set 24 hours
10. Unmold, cut into bars
11. Cure 4-6 weeks before using
"She immediately ordered 4 more!" 🧼🍋
🧼 How to Use Your Solid Dish Soap
Tips for Best Results
- 🧽 Wet the bar – Run your dish brush or sponge under warm water and rub it on the soap bar.
- 🧼 Lather up – Work up a lather directly on your dishes or scrub brush.
- 🌊 Scrub and rinse – Wash dishes as usual and rinse well.
- 🧽 Store properly – Keep the soap bar on a draining soap dish to prevent it from getting mushy.
- 💪 Long-lasting – One bar lasts much longer than liquid dish soap!
💡 Pro Tip: "A wooden soap dish with drainage holes will make your bar last even longer!"
💡 Pro Tips for Success
- 🍋 Use fresh lemons – Fresh lemon juice gives the best scent and natural citric acid
- 🧪 Measure carefully – Accurate measurements are essential for successful soap making
- 🌡️ Temperature matters – Both lye solution and oils should be around 100-110°F
- ⏱️ Don't rush the cure – 4-6 weeks is essential for a mild, long-lasting bar
- 🌿 Add extra scents – Try adding lemon essential oil for extra fragrance
- 🎁 Make great gifts – Wrap bars in brown paper for beautiful homemade gifts
🛒 Recommended Soap Making Supplies
Get everything you need:
🧪 Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) | 🧼 Soap Molds | 🫒 Coconut Oil | 🌡️ Thermometer & Scale
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Why use fresh lemon juice instead of citric acid?
Fresh lemon juice provides natural citric acid without the black mold derived processing. Plus, lemons are easily accessible!
❓ How long does the soap need to cure?
4-6 weeks is essential for a mild, long-lasting bar that won't dissolve too quickly.
❓ Is this soap safe for all dishes?
Yes! It's gentle enough for everyday dishes and cuts through grease effectively.
❓ Can I use this in a dishwasher?
No, this is for hand washing dishes only. Dishwashers require special detergent formulations.
❓ How long does one bar last?
With daily use, a bar can last 2-4 weeks, much longer than liquid dish soap!
❓ Can I add essential oils?
Absolutely! Lemon, orange, or tea tree oil would all be great additions.
❓ Why did the lady order 4 more?
Because it works! The soap cleans effectively, smells great, and is all-natural.
❓ Is this recipe beginner-friendly?
Yes! With proper safety precautions, this is a great beginner soap making recipe.
❓ Can I use this as hand soap too?
Yes! It's gentle enough for hand washing as well.
❓ What if I don't have lye?
Lye is essential for soap making. You can find it at craft stores or online. Always handle it with care!
© HeritageKeepers — Solid Dish Soap Recipe | All-Natural with Fresh Lemon Juice 🍋
❤️ Making clean living easy – one bar at a time!
Comments