this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2026
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Hi! Since liquid soap is so cheap I want to cheap out by making it cheaper. I pretty much always dilute it which extends its life but the resulting runniness lead to some soap escaping the hand washing my money straight down the sink.

This pain is unbearable and I’m thinking to add a little bit of corn or potato starch, agar or some such from the pantry to increase the viscosity How bad of an idea is this? I figure soap doesn’t really allow for microbe life and starch tends to be quite anti microbial. Same goes for dish soap. The soap is dumpstered so switching to hard soap isn’t cheaper and I haven’t found a foaming dispenser in the trash (yet). But soap is rare in the trash so I want to make last. Alternatively anyone know if a a regular pump can be made foaming or have other creative solutions?

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[–] teft@piefed.social 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Soap absolutely allows for microbial life if you dilute it or add anything. It’s only undiluted soaps that are antimicrobial. You’re better off just adding the undiluted soap to whatever you’re washing and then adding water.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

This is only true if you plan on keeping it diluted for a lengthy period of time (like putting it in a dispenser ready to go). If you dilute it just prior to the use, it's fine.

[–] Kaffeburk@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Thats what i was worrying about, which prompted me asking! Thanks :)