Table of Contents
Updated October 2026
You can mix essential oils with castile soap to make your own hand soap, body wash, dish soap, shampoo, bath soak and all-purpose cleaner. I add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil to 1/2 cup of castile soap for body products, and 10 to 20 drops to a quart of diluted castile cleaner. Just never mix castile soap with vinegar or lemon juice. Below you'll find my favorite recipes and the best essential oils to pair with castile soap. Jump to the recipes.
This post is all about scenting castile soap with essential oils. For a deeper look at the soap itself, including what it's made from, how brands differ and ways to use it plain, see my guide to the benefits of castile soap.
Castile Soap in a Nutshell
Castile soap is a simple soap made from plant oils, traditionally olive oil, instead of animal fats or synthetic detergents. Liquid castile soap is concentrated, so you usually dilute it, and the unscented version makes a perfect base for your own essential oils.
- It's alkaline, so it can feel a little drying. A small amount of carrier oil in body products helps.
- In hard water it can leave a dull film on glass and shower doors. A plain water rinse takes care of it.
- It stings if it gets in your eyes, so keep it away from your face.
Why I Pair Essential Oils with Castile Soap
Unscented castile soap lets you choose exactly how your soap or cleaner smells, without synthetic fragrance. It also helps essential oils spread through water. That makes it one of my favorite ways to add oils to a bath or foot soak, since oils dropped straight into water just float on top and can land undiluted on your skin.
Castile soap tips
- Never mix castile soap with vinegar or lemon juice. The acid breaks the soap down into a greasy, curdled mess.
- Mix essential oils into the soap first, then add water.
- Use distilled or boiled and cooled water when you dilute it.
- Water-based mixes like foaming soap can spoil, so make small batches and use them within a few weeks.
- Shake gently before each use to remix the oils.
Castile Soap and Essential Oil Recipes
Lavender Hand and Body Wash
For: Adults and kids 2+
- 1/2 cup unscented liquid castile soap
- 12 drops lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 1 tablespoon carrier oil, like jojoba or sweet almond (optional, for a softer feel)
- A pump bottle
Method: Pour the castile soap into the bottle, add the essential oil and carrier oil, and gently swirl to combine. Use a small amount on a wet washcloth or pouf, lather and rinse well. For kids, I use half the drops.
Morning and Evening Body Wash Variations
Use the Lavender Hand and Body Wash recipe above and swap in 12 drops total of one of these combinations:
- Bright morning: 8 drops grapefruit and 4 drops rosemary. For adults and kids 6+.
- Fresh and clear: 8 drops grapefruit and 4 drops eucalyptus. For adults and kids 10+.
- Calm evening: 6 drops lavender, 3 drops Roman chamomile and 3 drops frankincense. For adults and kids 2+.
Lemon Lavender Foaming Hand Soap
For: Adults and kids 2+
- 1/3 cup unscented liquid castile soap
- 2/3 cup distilled water
- 5 drops lemon essential oil (Citrus limon)
- 5 drops lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 8 to 10 oz foaming soap dispenser
Method: Add the water to the dispenser first so the soap doesn't foam up, then add the castile soap and essential oils. Screw on the pump and tip gently to mix. Use within a few weeks. Want more scents? See my DIY foaming hand soap and foaming body wash recipes.
Lemon Castile Dish Soap
Use around: Kids 2+
- 1/4 cup unscented liquid castile soap
- 2 1/2 cups distilled water
- 10 to 15 drops lemon essential oil (Citrus limon)
- Squeeze bottle
Method: Mix the essential oil into the castile soap, then add the water and gently swirl. Squeeze onto a sponge or into a sink of water to hand-wash dishes, and rinse well. Not for the dishwasher, since it makes too many suds. Use within a few weeks.
Castile All-Purpose Cleaner
Use around: Kids 2+ once dry
- 1/4 cup unscented liquid castile soap
- 1 quart warm distilled water
- 10 to 20 drops essential oil, like lemon, orange or tea tree
- Spray bottles
Method: Mix the castile soap and essential oils first, then stir in the warm water. Pour into spray bottles. Spray on counters, tables, sinks and floors, then wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. If it leaves a film, wipe again with plain water.
Gentle Lavender Castile Shampoo
For: Adults and kids 6+
- 1/4 cup unscented liquid castile soap
- 1/4 cup distilled water
- 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
- A squeeze bottle
Method: Mix the essential oil and jojoba into the castile soap, then add the water and gently swirl. Massage a small amount into wet hair and scalp, keeping it away from your eyes, and rinse well. Follow with a separate rinse of 1 to 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar in a cup of water, then rinse again. Keep the vinegar rinse in its own container. Castile soap can leave hair feeling rough in hard water, so it isn't for everyone.
Relaxing Lavender Bath Soak
For: Adults
- 1 tablespoon unscented liquid castile soap
- 5 drops lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Method: Stir the essential oil into the castile soap in a small cup, then add it to running bath water and swish to mix. Castile soap and oils make the tub slippery, so get in and out carefully and rinse the tub afterward. For more ideas, see my aromatherapy bath ideas.
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Best Essential Oils to Mix with Castile Soap
| Essential oil | Scent | Best in | Good to know |
| Lavender | Soft, floral, calming | Body wash, hand soap, bath, shampoo | Gentle and family friendly |
| Lemon | Bright, clean | Hand soap, dish soap, cleaners | Great for greasy kitchen jobs |
| Sweet orange | Sweet, cheerful | Hand soap, cleaners | Budget-friendly and kid friendly |
| Grapefruit | Juicy, uplifting | Morning body wash | Pairs well with rosemary or mint |
| Tea tree | Fresh, earthy, medicinal | Cleaners, hand soap | Toxic to cats, so rinse surfaces well |
| Peppermint | Cool, crisp, energizing | Morning body wash, foot soak | Not for children under 6; tingles on skin |
| Rosemary | Herbal, fresh | Morning body wash, shampoo | Not for children under 6 |
| Eucalyptus | Clean, sharp | Cleaners, adult shower soap | Not for children under 10 |
| Roman chamomile | Sweet, apple-like | Evening body wash, bath | Lovely with lavender |
| Cedarwood | Warm, woodsy | Body wash, hand soap | A nice choice for guys |
Looking for scent ideas? Try my essential oil combinations. They work in soap too.
Safety Tips for Castile Soap and Essential Oils
- Keep body products gentle. I stay at about 1% or less for soaps, body washes and shampoo, which is roughly 10 to 15 drops per 1/2 cup of castile soap.
- Do a skin patch test if you have sensitive skin.
- Keep soap out of your eyes, and rinse well with water if it gets in.
- Follow the ages above, and if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using essential oils.
- Never ingest essential oils, and store soaps and oils out of reach of children and pets.
More Natural Cleaning and Soap Recipes
- Benefits of Castile Soap: What It Is and How to Use It
- 20 Essential Oil Cleaning Recipes
- Top 5 Essential Oils for Cleaning Naturally
- 10 Natural Foaming Body Wash Recipes
- Fall Essential Oil Cleaning Spray
Ready to make your own? My Aromatherapy Supply Kits have the bottles and supplies you need, and my free essential oil guides are full of more recipes.
