Basics

This page aims to go over Foaming Hand Soap, and how it differs from conventional Liquid Hand Soap
It will then explore:
- Existing Off The Shelf Options to determine what is cheapest (without becoming crappy) and/or what option is the most Sustainable
- Existing DIY/OS Recipes
- If/How One can convert Liquid Soap into Foaming Soap Solution
  - THINKING it’s just simply a matter of Dilution, but want to check

Research Temporary Trashcan Section

The dispenser adds a bit of air which is PART OF the key to Foaming Soap
Supposedly, especially due to being diluted, the soap is at risk of microbial growth, this MAY need to be addressed
- Sadly due to diy soap making HEAVILY intersecting with the “Chemicals are Scary” / Anti-Science crowd, not too much info on this aspect in existing recipes
- A sufficient amount of alcohol/ Hand Sanitizer MAY do the trick?
Most posts are saying “3 or 4 to 1” Water to Soap Ratios, which sounds about right
The semi-disposable Dial / Store Brand Foaming Dispensers may not like Alcohol/some solvents too which could be an issue

Work got some of those dial brand dispensers but no refills yet
- We DO have about 2-3 or so big jugs of something akin to store brand softsoap in the informal cleaning supply cabinet area though
- Mostly eyeballed it / added more soap until it was feeling right, but i’ll see how that goes long term
  - GRANTED the throughput of that garage worker’s bathroom is high enough it should run out before it can rot (hopefully)

Walmart Listing for a 221 Milliliter (7.5 Fl Oz) Bottle of Blue “Spring Water” Scented Foaming Soap ( ~$2.47 Each as of this Edit)
Just about the industry standard
Pretty good stuff, outside of when you need Mechanic’s Soap
Dispensers Hold up fine with reuse, but have a habit of tipping over, especially when nearing empty; some sort of (weighted) 3D Printed Base would be a great addition
If it still has the Antibiotic in it, that sucks a bit; Citation needed but compared to just normal soap it doesn’t due much due to lack of Soak/Dwell Time, BUT it contributes to Antibiotic Resistance in sewers/can mess with Biodigester setups
- Also even if you are VERY concerned about all that, using some Hand Sanitizer afterwards, or the PROPER Surgical Scrub Aseptic Soap is what you should do
A Walmart Listing for a Bulk Refill for the Same Soap 1.53L (52 Fl Oz) ( ‘’’~5.97 As of This Edit’’’ )

Minimum Viable Soap
- A concept for a “base” soap that only has water, the soap agent, and MAYBE a thickener/polymer etc
  - This could be turned into Liquid Hand Soap, Foaming Hand Soap, “Mechanic’s Soap”, or any color/scent the user desires etc via blend in’s
    - Simplifies logistics SOMEWHAT, akin to the Single Fuels Concept
      - If more than simple dilution with water is needed, this holds less true
Soapmaking
- It is a hobby for some, especially hipster Bar Soaps and “Bath Bombs”, this is an area an OSEH Type Makerspace could lean into

An Article in “The Kitchen (Magazine)” from 2023 Titled “ I Switched to Foaming Hand Soap to Save a Little Money—Here’s How to DIY It”
A Reddit Post in r/Lifehacks on This
- Not exactly a perfect / credible source, but decent gauge of The Wisdom of the Crowd
- One comment does mention adding alcohol, supposedly helps with sudsing behavior too?
A Quora Post on this Subject
- Ditto on the Reddit Disclaimer, albeit idk of Quora has had any drama akin to the Reddit Moderation Tool mess