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Home » Tips

DIY Dove Body Wash from Bar Soap

Published: May 26, 2014 · Modified: Feb 1, 2023 by Ginny · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This post was 100% inspired by you guys! Several of you commented about how you make your own body wash from bar soap. I figured it was time I gave it a try and decided to go with a DIY Dove body wash.

bar of soap and a cheese grater to make homemade dove soap
Contents hide
1 🧼 Ingredients
2 Instructions
3 👩 Benefits
4 📌 Items to Note
5 👍 Variations
6 🚸 Safe For Kids

Updated February 2020

After a bit of trial and error, I finally came up with what I consider to be a good (for my liking) recipe. The consistency and the scent are the same as a Dove body wash, but there are fewer bubbles.

🧼 Ingredients

Dove soap – Make sure the bar of soap says “beauty bar”, pictured below. It may not turn out the same with another soap. I would love to hear if you had success with another variety, though. Please drop a comment.

Please note: These instructions only apply to the dove beauty bar. I have only tried this with this type of bar soap and I’m in no way a soap-making expert, so unfortunately can’t offer much help with troubleshooting! Commenters that have tried it with different types of soaps have had very mixed experiences.

Coconut Oil – I only recently started using coconut oil and I don’t know why it has taken me so long. It is a great moisturizer by itself, and I have even used it on my face before I apply makeup.

Reader Jessy said: “Love this recipe! I tried it out using Ivory soap, ended up remelting and adding water a few times, but I finally got the texture right with 113g of Ivory, 750ml of water, and 30g of coconut oil. Once I was pleased with the texture, I added ylang ylang and blood orange EOs for scent. Heavenly.”

Bar of Dove Soap that reads "Beauty Bar"
Make sure the Bar of Soap is a “Beauty Bar”

Instructions

Ratio: 1 Bar of Soap to 1 Cup of Water. Add One TBSP of Coconut Oil, if you desire but it is not necessary.

Step One: Use a cheese grater to grate bars of dove soap into a large bowl. It took me about 20 minutes to complete the two bars while watching TV.

Step Two: Bring water to a simmer. Be sure to use a rather large pot over medium heat.

Step Three: When the water is simmering, mix in grated soap and coconut oil using a spatula. Do not use a whisk. It will create too many bubbles. Mix consistently (but not non-stop) until soap is melted. Mine simmered for about seven to ten minutes.

Step Four: Remove from heat and let it sit uncovered in the pot. Set timer for two hours. Once the timer goes off, stir once, then bottle it up into a squeezable container using a funnel.

Here’s a picture of how thick the consistency of the DIY body wash is! Pretty close to the “real thing!”

dove body wash soap mix in the pan after it has simmered and rested for two hours.  It is thick and creamy
Thick and Creamy is the Texture You Want

I actually let mine sit for four hours, but it was almost too thick to pour. So, I recommend just bottling it up after the first two hours. It will continue to thicken once it’s in the bottles. I used a rinsed shampoo bottle and a mason jar to store mine. The mason jar was a HUGE mistake since I couldn’t get the soap out because it thickened so much. So definitely go with squeezable plastic containers!

In total, this makes about 28 ounces, which is 4 ounces more than a typical bottle of Dove Body Wash.

And now, it’s time for the true test, the cost breakdown:

Cost Breakdown:

  • 4-pack of Dove bars (Used 1/2 package, so this cost is for two bars): $2.50
  • Coconut Oil: $0.25
  • Total Cost to DIY: $2.75 (for 28oz)

Cost Comparison:

  • Cost of Dove Body Wash In-Store: $5.49 (24 oz)
  • Cost of DIY Version: $2.75 (28 oz)
  • Cost per Ounce (Store Bought): $0.23
  • Cost per ounce (DIY): $0.10
  • Savings if you DIY: 50%

👩 Benefits

There are many benefits to making your own body wash. The number one benefit is the money 💰 you will save. If you have purchased body wash any time recently, you already know that it’s super expensive. There is no need to spend a lot of money on something that you could easily make yourself. 

All of the ingredients and the dove body wash container on the table with text overlay
Simple Steps for Your Own Body Wash

You’re in control of the ingredients. I bought commercially made soap many times over the years, but I enjoy homemade soap so much more. I know exactly what goes into it and what I am putting on my body. That’s a big deal! 

Reader Laura pointed out: “A great reason to do this is to cut down on the use of plastic. You can refill an old Dove body wash bottle over and over again.”

📌 Items to Note

Food Processor: Believe it or not, you can grate the soap in your food processor. You’ll need to cut the bar of soap in smaller pieces for it to work. I recommend cutting the bar into 4-6 pieces and then placing them in the food processor. Then you’ll need to pulse a few times. Take the lid off and move any large pieces that seem stuck. Then turn it on again. Continue doing this until it’s a very fine mixture. 

This method is excellent if you don’t have a grater or just don’t want to take the time to grate it the old fashioned way. Nothing wrong with trying to save yourself some time along the way. 

Make sure you clean the food processor well after you use it.  You don’t want soap flavored food! 

Reader Julie’s tip: “I found a great way to handle the tedious grating. Place the bar soap in the refrigerator over night, whole or cut into squares. Throw the pieces in the blender or food processor and you’ll have powdered soap quickly. For a whole, cold bar, just cut it with a knife. It will splinter into small pieces and you can skip the appliances if you like.”

Storage: On average, the homemade body wash will last about a year. It may last a little longer than that, but for the best results, use it within a year. I will often make up a really large batch, and I have a few containers ready to go whenever I need them. It’s nice that it lasts so long. 

Hand Soap: It is completely fine to use this body wash as hand soap. Just put it in a pump dispenser and use it as needed.

👍 Variations

While I haven’t tried adding tons of other ingredients in the homemade soap, here are a few ideas to try. Go ahead and experiment a little bit. Keep in mind when adding additional ingredients, the texture may change, so do a little bit at a time for trial and error. Check out these ideas:

  • Honey – It’s amazing how good honey is for your skin. Add ¼ – ⅓ cup of honey per batch for some added nutrients for your skin. 
  • Vitamin E – If your skin is extra dry or you are just looking for a great way to give your skin some added moisture, vitamin E is the way to go. Start with ½ – 1 teaspoon. 
  • Olive Oil – Don’t worry if you are out of coconut oil and still want to make soap. You can easily use olive oil instead. It’s terrific for your skin and will help it feel silky and smooth. The coconut oil will solidify at room temperature, but the olive oil won’t – so expect the end result to have a different texture.
  • Essential Oils – Add in 20 drops of your favorite oil combinations. Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and ylang-ylang are a few of my favorites. 

🚸 Safe For Kids

The only ingredients are soap, water, and coconut oil (and the coconut oil can be omitted if you want.) All of these ingredients are safe for kids. If your children are really little, then I recommend using the Baby Dove Bars instead. That way, it’s a little more gentle on their skin. This is especially important if your kiddo has extra sensitive skin. 

Updates: 

Some readers noted that this recipe turned out too watery for them. While I have had great results with this specific ratio, some commenters have mentioned that they achieved better results with a ratio of two cups of water, to one bar of soap.

My thinking behind adding the coconut oil was to help with thickening (since coconut oil solidifies at room temperature) and to provide a bit of extra moisture. I haven’t personally tested this recipe without the coconut oil. If you are going to omit the coconut oil, I’d probably use the two cups of water to one bar of soap ratio that some have suggested.  But again, I haven’t tried those alterations myself, so can’t tell you 100% if they’ll work.

Ginny
Ginny

Hi!

Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

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DIY Dove Body Wash from Bar Soap
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About Ginny

Hi!

Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. powerful love spells says

    September 12, 2017 at 2:13 am

    Hi,I check your blog named “Twitter” regularly.Your story-telling style is awesome, keep doing what you’re doing! And you can look our website about powerful love spells.

    Reply
  2. Christine says

    March 04, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    I would try a food processor for grating…..

    Reply
  3. Meme says

    September 27, 2016 at 12:58 am

    I have made this many times but I always use less water. I add a tablespoon of coconut oil per bar of soap and 1/2 tsp of vitamin E oil. I usually use peppermint oil for scent. The first few times I grated this but then after reading some tips on another site for making homemade laundry detergent, I started putting the bar of soap in the microwave for 20 seconds then transferring it to a cutting board and chopping it. Then I put it in a glass jar and pour the hot distilled water (from coffee maker) over it. I let it sit 24 hours or longer then either process it in my blender with the other ingredients or use the stick blender. Read on another site how great honey is for your skin and read a recipe for bodywash made with castile soap and honey. So I decided I would add honey to my bodywash, big mistake. When I went to shower tonight I noticed the bottle was a little bulgy. When I openend it it made a whooshing noise. I squeezed some out and it was puffy like shaving cream but foamier. It smelled different too, not bad just a bit strange. I have been a housewife for 29 years, you would think know better. The natural yeast in the air combined with the honey to ferment and my bodywash is rising like bread.

    Reply
  4. Kim says

    April 16, 2016 at 7:11 am

    The dove body wash turned out to runny. I didnt put coconut oil because we dont care for the smell.

    Reply
  5. Chris Larish says

    March 11, 2016 at 4:56 pm

    Well I just finished trying this soap using dial for the antibacterial component my doctor recommended. I used 3 3oz bars and 3 cups of water. Grated in the food processor, and used the coconut oil because it is so good for your skin. Well…..I let it sit for the 2 hours and it hardened right back up in the pot to a softer version of bar soap. Does anyone have any ideas? Can I reheat it and add more water? I really like the idea of making my own since I live on a strict budget each month. Thanks

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      March 28, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      Chris, add more water and melt it down, it won’t hurt anything. I made some with 1 bar of Dial Glycerine (green color) and about 3 c water and it’s thick. If it’s thick but not set just add hot water, mix then let sit. If it’s still too thick, do it again until you hit the right thickness. And don’t forget to keep track of how much water you ended up with in total. I didn’t, oops. Yes I had to go through the adding of more water. I think the amount of water depends on each different soap.

      Reply
  6. Jessy says

    February 28, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Love this recipe! I tried it out using Ivory soap, ended up remelting and adding water a few times, but I finally got the texture right with 113g of Ivory, 750ml of water, and 30g of coconut oil. Once I was pleased with the texture, I added ylang ylang and blood orange EOs for scent. Heavenly. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Ms Shaye says

    February 20, 2016 at 2:12 am

    Thanks for the recipe my family loved it. We were a body wash was not as thick as your picture but lathered like bar soap. I’m going to make a second batch this weekend

    Reply
  8. mandy cat says

    February 12, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    I’m a long time fan of Dr. Bronner’s Castile liquid soap. A 32 ounce bottle lasts forever; it’s very concentrated. I get the baby mild unscented version. I add whatever essential oil strikes my fancy at the moment and a small amount of vegetable glycerin and funnel into a plastic squeeze bottle. A very small amount of this lathers up a storm.

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      March 28, 2016 at 8:35 pm

      Let some of us enjoy a great body wash that can be made ourselves without hyping Dr Bronner’s, please. Bronner’s is just not everyones’ cup of tea. I’m one who doesn’t love Dr Bronner’s, I don’t like it, in fact I hate it. It’s too expensive and it dried my skin out. Try using Kirk’s Castille soap to make this body wash, you might find yourself converted!

      I used Dial Glycerine (clear green color, fresh scent) for this recipe and LOVE it! I used 1 bar, 3 c water, glycerin, and 1 Tbsp aloe gel. It’s a bit “snotty” but in an old dish soap bottle I don’t notice it much. I should try adding the coconut oil, it’s never too late, AND I’ve read it helps get rid of the “snottiness” of the body wash.

      Reply
  9. Darlene says

    February 05, 2016 at 2:34 pm

    Hi! I made two different versions, of this soap today. The first was a men’s version, that was made from men’s zest bars, and currently waiting for a batch to cool down, for this batch it was Yardly almond and oatmeal bars. The first batch I cut the recipe in half and it came out fine, but after 2 hours it was very thick. I put it on very low heat to get it loose again and put it in the bottles. It seems to have thickened up again? So for those asking, yes it does seem to work with other brands of soaps too. I have a question? How would Ingo about making the soap a nice color? Would like to make almond one a nice pinkish color. Can I use plain old food coloring??

    Reply
    • Jazmin Rode says

      February 08, 2016 at 7:20 pm

      I had the same issue with it thickening up considerably, and that’s why I had to use only squeezable bottles! My mason jar was cute but pretty inconvenient to get the stuff out haha! And I haven’t added coloring myself, but I think adding a tiny amount wouldn’t do much harm! I’d definitely use a small amount to avoid any potential staining.

      Reply
  10. Nikki says

    November 22, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    Has anyone ever tried using creamed coconut? I have some here, and it is quite thick and says it can be a replacement for coconut milk when water is added. Any thoughts on what would happen?

    Reply
  11. beth q says

    August 06, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    Instead of grating the soap, can you use a food processor? Seems like it would save a lot of time

    Reply
  12. monique richard says

    August 03, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    Coconut is actually very good on eczema skin. Great moisterizer. No allergen.
    Monique

    Reply
  13. T says

    June 20, 2015 at 10:38 am

    Would this work with another moisture bar? For example Caress.? Cutting it up cold, good idea.

    Reply
    • Jazmin Rode says

      July 10, 2015 at 3:36 pm

      Hi T, I’m so sorry but i’m not 100% sure as I’ve only done this myself with the Dove bar.

      Reply
  14. Samantha M says

    June 10, 2015 at 5:20 pm

    I just made this recipe. I used two bars of Dove soap, 4 and 1/2 cups of water, a tablespoon of Coconut Oil, and 1 tablespoon of Almond Oil. Let’s see hhow it works out! I’ll post later… 🙂

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      November 22, 2015 at 1:26 pm

      How did it turn out with the almond oil? I was thinking about adding vanilla extract.

      Reply
  15. jaklin says

    May 22, 2015 at 1:31 am

    hi this is my firs times trying today. i was so exited but mine turned too watery! 🙁 i don’t know why!

    Reply
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Family Photo Hi! I'm Ginny and for over 30 years, I've been creating simple and easy recipes without sacrificing on taste for our family on the go. I can't wait to show you how to do the same for your family. Read More...

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