Cleansol Ready Bases are concentrates for shampoo, handwash and shower gel. The cleansing and foaming agents are already blended, so you only add water, perfume and colour. This guide shows exactly how to make a 3 kg batch from 1 kg of base β no heating and no measuring of separate chemicals. It is written for salons, hotels, hostels, offices, institutions and licensed manufacturers.
𧴠Ready Bases β just add water
Shampoo, handwash and shower gel bases in pearlised and transparent, from βΉ519 for 1 kg (makes about 3 kg). 1 kg, 5 kg, 25 kg and 50 kg packs, GST invoice.
What you need for one 3 kg batch
| Item | Shampoo | Handwash | Shower gel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready Base | Shampoo Base β 1 kg | Handwash Base β 1 kg | Shower Gel Base β 1 kg |
| Clean water (RO or boiled and cooled) | 2 kg | 2 kg | 2 kg |
| Perfume | about 10 g | about 5 g | about 5 g |
| Cosmetic colour (optional) | a few drops | a few drops | a few drops |
| Salt, for thickening (optional) | up to about 100 g | up to about 100 g | up to about 100 g |
| You get | about 3 kg shampoo | about 3 kg handwash | about 3 kg shower gel |
Equipment: a clean plastic or stainless-steel tub, a long spoon or paddle, a kitchen weighing scale, a funnel and clean bottles. Wash and dry everything before you start.
Pearlised or transparent β which should you choose?
| Pearlised | Transparent | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Rich, creamy, milky pearl shine | Clear gel β shows colour well |
| Good for | Premium feel β hotel rooms, salons, gift packs | Herbal, fruity and coloured variants |
| Bottle | Works in any bottle, including opaque | Looks best in clear bottles |
| Shampoo | Shampoo Base β Pearlised | Shampoo Base β Transparent |
| Handwash | Handwash Base β Pearlised | Handwash Base β Transparent |
| Shower gel | Shower Gel Base β Pearlised | Shower Gel Base β Transparent |
Recipe 1: Shampoo (makes about 3 kg)
Method
- Take 2 kg of clean water (RO water, or water boiled and cooled) in a clean plastic or stainless-steel tub.
- Add 1 kg of Shampoo Base slowly while stirring gently with a long spoon or paddle. Stir slowly β fast stirring makes too much foam.
- Keep stirring gently for 5β10 minutes until the mix is smooth and even.
- Add about 10 g of perfume and stir. Add a few drops of cosmetic colour if you want.
- Cover the tub and leave it to rest for 24 hours. The air bubbles rise and the liquid becomes clear (transparent) or creamy-smooth (pearlised).
- Check the thickness. If you want it thicker, see How to thicken below.
- Fill into clean, dry bottles and close tightly.
Recipe 2: Liquid handwash (makes about 3 kg)
Method
- Take 2 kg of clean water (RO water, or water boiled and cooled) in a clean plastic or stainless-steel tub.
- Add 1 kg of Handwash Base slowly while stirring gently with a long spoon or paddle. Stir slowly β fast stirring makes too much foam.
- Keep stirring gently for 5β10 minutes until the mix is smooth and even.
- Add about 5 g of perfume and stir. Add a few drops of cosmetic colour if you want.
- Cover the tub and leave it to rest for 24 hours. The air bubbles rise and the liquid becomes clear (transparent) or creamy-smooth (pearlised).
- Check the thickness. If you want it thicker, see How to thicken below.
- Fill into clean, dry bottles and close tightly.
Tip for hotels, offices and hostels: make handwash in a 5 kg or 25 kg batch and refill dispensers. It saves on plastic bottles and costs much less than buying ready handwash.
Recipe 3: Shower gel / body wash (makes about 3 kg)
Method
- Take 2 kg of clean water (RO water, or water boiled and cooled) in a clean plastic or stainless-steel tub.
- Add 1 kg of Shower Gel Base slowly while stirring gently with a long spoon or paddle. Stir slowly β fast stirring makes too much foam.
- Keep stirring gently for 5β10 minutes until the mix is smooth and even.
- Add about 5 g of perfume and stir. Add a few drops of cosmetic colour if you want.
- Cover the tub and leave it to rest for 24 hours. The air bubbles rise and the liquid becomes clear (transparent) or creamy-smooth (pearlised).
- Check the thickness. If you want it thicker, see How to thicken below.
- Fill into clean, dry bottles and close tightly.
How to thicken
- Wait for the 24-hour rest first β many batches thicken on their own as they settle.
- Dissolve about 100 g of salt in a small cup of warm water.
- Add this salt water a little at a time (2β3 spoons), stirring gently after each addition.
- Check the thickness each time. Stop as soon as it is thick enough.
β Don't add too much salt. Beyond a point, extra salt makes the product thinner again, and you can't take it back out. Always add it slowly and stop early.
Scaling up
Keep the same ratio: 1 part base + 2 parts water. Scale the perfume and salt in the same proportion.
| Base pack | Water to add | Makes about | Base cost per kg of finished product* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kg | 2 kg | 3 kg | about βΉ173β183 |
| 5 kg | 10 kg | 15 kg | about βΉ127β135 |
| 25 kg | 50 kg | 75 kg | about βΉ74β86 |
| 50 kg | 100 kg | 150 kg | about βΉ72β80 |
*Based on current Cleansol prices including GST. Base cost only β perfume, colour, bottles and labour are extra. 25 kg and 50 kg packs ship by bulk freight, which the buyer pays.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Too thin | Wait the full 24 hours, then add salt water a little at a time (see above). |
| Became thinner after adding salt | Too much salt was added. Next time add less and stop earlier. You can mix this batch with a fresh, unsalted batch to correct it. |
| Too much foam or bubbles | You stirred too fast. Leave it covered for 24β48 hours β the bubbles rise and clear. |
| Cloudy transparent product | Usually from too much or an oily perfume, or hard water. Use RO water and reduce the perfume. Some perfumes need a solubiliser such as Tween 20. |
| Pearl effect looks uneven | Stir gently again and let it rest β the pearl shine evens out as it settles. |
| Smell fades | Use a good-quality perfume suited to soaps and shampoos, and store bottles away from sunlight. |
Storage and safety
- Store the base and finished product in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, with lids tightly closed.
- Use clean water and clean, dry equipment and bottles β this is the best way to stop the product from spoiling.
- Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes; if it gets in the eyes, rinse well with plenty of water.
- Do a small patch test on the skin before regular use.
Frequently asked questions
How much product does 1 kg of base make?
About 3 kg when mixed with 2 kg of water.
Do I need to heat anything?
No. Ready Bases mix in cold or room-temperature water. No heating, melting or special equipment is needed.
Can I use tap water?
RO water, or water boiled and cooled, gives the best result. Hard tap water can make transparent products cloudy and shorten shelf life.
Which perfume should I use?
Any perfume made for shampoos, handwash or soaps. Start with the amount in the recipe and adjust to your liking.
Can I sell what I make?
Ready Bases are sold as raw material for further processing. If you manufacture finished shampoo, handwash or shower gel for sale, you need the applicable cosmetic manufacturing licence and correct labelling. For in-house use β in your salon, hotel, office or institution β you can use it directly.
Should I start with 1 kg or 5 kg?
Start with 1 kg to test the perfume, colour and thickness you like. Once you are happy, move to 5 kg, 25 kg or 50 kg packs for a much lower cost per kg.
Do you sell other bases?
Yes β see all personal care ready bases. If you prefer to make your own formula from separate raw materials, see our guides and raw materials such as SLES, CAPB and EGMS.
Need bulk quantity or help with your first batch?
We are manufacturers since 2002, Jodhpur. WhatsApp us your quantity for a bulk price, or send a photo of your batch and we will help you fix it.