In the early ’90’s I made the switch from bar soap to liquid soap. Since replacing the disposable soap dispensers was expensive and wasteful, I bought ceramic soap dispensers and bought large refill bottles of liquid soap. I continued doing this for 18 years, but last summer as I was buying a refill bottle I spied a package of 12 bar soaps for $2.50. I realized I could buy a year’s supply of bar soap for less than a month’s supply of liquid soap. I knew my family would not like it, but I bought the package of bar soap. The kids hated it and my husband thought it was gunking up the sink trap and causing the water to drain slower from the sinks. And even I was not crazy about cleaning the soap scum from the sink.
I thought my sister-in-law came to the rescue and provided the perfect solution when she sent me Foaming Soap Pumps for Christmas. Then I looked at the prices for foaming soap refills. Foaming soap refills are very expensive, so instead of buying it at the store, I decided to make it myself using regular liquid soap and water.
How to Make Foaming Soap
Needed:
Foaming soap dispenser
3 Tablespoons of regular liquid soap
tap water
Directions:
Place the liquid soap in the dispenser
Fill it up with water (leaving a little head room), and shake.
Everybody is happy: I still have over half a bottle of liquid soap after 5 months of making the switch, my children get to use liquid soap again, and my husband has stopped complaining about soap scum in the sink and pipes.
You can have foaming soap for even less. Disposable foaming soap dispenser are available for less than $3.00 (you can occasionally find these at the dollar store). Instead of tossing it when it is empty, fill it 1/4 full with regular liquid soap, then fill it the rest of the way with water. Shake and you have foaming soap.
Edited to clarify that it is acceptable to use tap water. Thank you Pat in Kitchener for catching my oversight!
This post has been linked to Gallery of Favorites and Frugal Friday.
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Heather @ Nourishing the Heart says
I’ve been refilling our foaming dispensers for about 6 months now and love it. Just make sure you use a clear liquid soap. I tried a creamy one for awhile, but it kept clogging the dispensers.
Suzanne says
Dawn dishsoap and Johnson Baby wash both have foaming containers. I bought them both and have been re-using the containers for a couple of years now. One for the kitchen sink and one for the bathroom sink. They have lasted beautifully and refilling is a great money saver. A bottle of dishsoap will last for months. When you refil, if the soap doesn’t come out of the dispenser easily (and foamy) just add a little more water.
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
This is a great idea, Alea! My parents used to use the foaming soap dispensers all the time. Sadly we can’t get them here in England yet, but I’m hoping we will soon. Thank you for sharing a great frugal idea with the Gallery of Favorites!
Rebecca in Colorado says
I also use various colors of inexpensive shampoo in my foaming pump dispensers. Alea, I hope you don’t mine if I link to my color-coordinating post? …
http://turnedloose.blogspot.com/2009/12/look-for-each-season.html
Alea says
I love your idea Rebecca!
Kitchen Belleicious says
How cool is this. I am already thinking christmas since who knows when the baby will arrive. What a wonderful gift idea
robbiekay says
We do the same thing, though I use a little bit more liquid soap (about 5-6 tablespoons). Thank you for the Pinterest invite. Between responsibilities and a business trip I didn’t sign up until Thursday night and have been having problems with it from the get go, but things seem to be getting better!
Alea says
You joined Pinterest right as they were switching to a new format. I like the changes they have made, but there have been a few hiccups. Also the numbers and changes I’ve made haven’t been showing up for 12 -24 hours. Hopefully they will get everything running smoothly soon.
BusyMom says
thanks! I am going to give this a try.
Claudia says
Very good tip!
TTFN~~Claudia
Struggler says
Alea, that sounds quite possible. I recall another friend had problems under her ring and she came to the conclusion it wasn’t getting quite dry under there whenever she washed her hands.
Hope your friend figures it out!
Alea says
It is suprising how little soap is actually required to make foaming soap.
Struggler, I think you helped me diagnose my friend. She was complaining of her finger being red and irritated under her rings. I bet she is using bar soap, off to call her…
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
Great way to save!
Struggler says
Like Jen, I didn’t know this was possible.
I switched to liquid soap after getting engaged, as I kept getting bits of soap bar stuck under my ring. I’ve never gone back!
Jen says
Wow – thank you! I love the foaming soap too, but had no idea I could make it myself like that. I can’t wait to try this one out. (c:
Amy says
Thanks, I’ve tried to do this before, but always used too much soap and not enough water… now I know.