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Loading...7 Ways to Clean With Castile Soap
- Chaya, selected from Networx
- February 15, 2011
- 4:00 pm
- 199 comments
By Linda Merrill, Networx
*Editor’s note: This article was not endorsed or paid for by Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap. I honestly just think that homeowners should know about this biodegradable, versatile cleaning product because I’ve used it for years and I think it’s great. – Chaya Goodman
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap has been on the market for decades. Made from vegetable and hemp oils, Bronner’s has no animal fats, is organic and all natural. Due to its super concentrated properties, one bottle of soap goes a long way, which cuts down on the use of plastic bottles. Castile soap is a type of soap made exclusively from vegetable oil rather than animal fats or synthetics.
Emmanuel Bronner emigrated to the US from Germany in 1929. He was born into the Heilbronner family of long time soap makers. His parents were killed in the Holocaust, after refusing to emigrate with him. Despite, or perhaps because of, this tragedy, Bronner infused his work with moral aphorisms taken from varied Jewish, Christian and other sources. It’s all printed in tiny print on his iconic bottle labels. Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap, long a favorite of tree-huggers and budget conscious buyers, is finding a resurgence of popularity in today’s households.
Here’s how to clean almost anything with castile soap:
1. Scrubbing cleanser: Mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with a few squirts Bronner’s liquid soap for an effective, yet non-abrasive cleanser. Use a thinner version (more soap added) for a toilet bowl cleaner.
2. Floor cleaner: Mix several tablespoons of liquid soap in a bucket of water (roughly 1 part soap to 40 parts water) and stir gently.
3. Laundry detergent: Use a quarter to a third of a cup straight liquid soap for a full load of clothing. Those in hard water areas may require the full third of a cup. For an added laundry boost, throw in a few spoonfuls of baking soda.
Image: fireballsedai/Flickr
Read more: Bed & Bath, Conscious Consumer, Health & Safety, Home, Household Hints, Non-Toxic Cleaning, castile, castile soap, Dr. Bronner's
Chaya, selected from Networx
Networx.com empowers people to make educated, economical and Earth-friendly renovation and home repair choices. We are a community of homeowners, renters and contractors who are committed to sharing home improvement expertise and experience.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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Good ideas,thanks for sharing
Thanks
199 comments
+ add your ownI get my liquid castile soap from http://bohemianapothecarium.blogspot.com I know the people who make it personally, and I have noticed that their product is cheaper than others and it's a LOT thicker than the competition, which makes it great for using in recipes. They also donate part of the sales to a local animal rescue. I definitely recommend it!
I'd never heard of castille soap before! Fascinating. I'm always trying to use greener cleaning products around the house such as simple vinegar, rubbing alcohol, lemon, and baking soda. In fact, my housemate recently remarked that the bathroom mirror always looks cleaner after I clean it with vinegar than after she cleans it with commercial glass products!
Lara K., Trader Joe's carries a large bottle of Peppermint. Also another poster mentioned Amazon. I think I have seen various scents at Ace Hardware, tho in smaller bottles. I definitely will get the lavender and maybe the eucalyptus, two LOVELY fresh scents for cleaning and bathing.
Remember a little of the soap goes a long way for bathing. I use the soap diluted about 4 or 5 times in hand soap dispensers - especially the foam ones, where it lasts and lasts and lasts.
My guess is that the peppermint will also help keep ants away when cleaning in the kitchen. I used to use a natural ant spray - it was mostly peppermint oil. (Therefore my kids associate peppermint with bug spray and had a problem with the peppermint hand soap for a while!).
I'll definitely try the dish soap mix. I think we will save lots of money over the Store brands, especially the green/ natural ones!
Kevin,
Castille soap is made from olive oil rather than animal fats.
What is a good oil bearing plant in your area? I'd experiment with soaps using that oil in high proportions. Locally made from local/regional ingredients.
Where can I buy Dr. Bronner's castile soap in vancouver? I know they sell it at Whole Foods, but a small bottle is expensive. It does look great though! :)
I am looking for safe, natural, liquid & solid soaps which will not cause harm to the environment if I run dish-washing, bath and laundry water straight out into the garden.
Dr. Bonner's products are unknown in South Africa and this may constitute an eco friendly business opportunity, where the product is locally manufactured.
I believe that it must be possible to formulate a product with primary and secondary functions, where, after household washing functions are done, the 'waste water' can be run directly into flower or vegetable gardens for irrigation, whilst having a pest control characteristic.
Am I asking too much?
Kevin (62) - Free State - South Africa
I didn't know, I'll try it!
Cool =)
I love this soap! And I really do use it for multiple tasks! Using it for plant pest control is a new one for me, awesome!
Thanks for the article! :D
Tiffany, yes, soap can create a greyish haze on natural fabrics.
The "fix" is using white vinegar in the rinse, as one would use fabric softener.
I'm sorry to say I don't know the ratio, but a simple web search should find it.
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