One simple, natural, cost-effective product that can pretty much do it all! Dive into the many amazing uses for castile soap.
Simple. Isn't that what we all want? Life is waaaay too complicated these days.
Take cleaning products, for example. You can get a separate product for every tiny little cleaning task you could ever think of- it's ridiculous.
This is why I LOVE castile soap. One product. So. Many. Uses!
To be clear, I don't use castile soap in every way possible, but I do use it for many things. Examine the list of ways you can use it and choose what works for you!
My favorite uses for castile soap are hand soap, body wash, baby soap, multi-purpose cleaner and cleaning makeup brushes, but there are many more ways. I think you'll be surprised at all it can do!
What's Castile Soap?
Castile soap is a plant-based, natural, non-toxic and biodegradable soap made from vegetable oils (most commonly olive oil) and lye. It’s highly concentrated, so a little goes a LONG way. Some castile soaps also contain essential oils, adding a lovely fragrance and additional benefits.
Castile soap comes in both bar and liquid forms.
Uses For Castile Soap
Hand Soap
This is the most cost-effective way to use hand soap. It's as simple as combining 1 part castile soap and 8-9 parts water. Add 1 part olive oil to make it extra nourishing for the skin. Get more details on this recipe here.
Face Wash
You can use a drop or two of castile soap in moistened hands to wash your face, or make a full face wash recipe.
Shampoo
Use about 2 teaspoon in the palm of your hand to massage into wet hair. Since the castile soap is basic, follow with an acidic rinse, such as diluted apple cider vinegar. This will balance out the pH, strengthen the hair, and reduce the risk of an itchy, flaky scalp!
Shaving
Lather a few drops with moist hands and apply to the area you want to shave. Shave away and rinse when done!
Body Wash
Add a couple of drops onto a washcloth or loofah, lather and wash. Or, you can also use the foaming hand soap recipe! Keep a bottle in the shower and squirt onto loofah or cloth.
Foot Bath
Add a few drops to your foot bath, along with a few drops of your favorite carrier oil for extra pampering.
Foot Scrub
Make a DIY foaming foot scrub by combining ½ cup sugar or Epsom salt with 1 tablespoon coconut oil and 2 teaspoon castile soap. Add 1-2 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional) if your castile soap is unscented.
Toothpaste
It tastes like soap, as you might imagine, even if you're using castile soap flavored/scented with essential oils. You decide if you're okay with that! Add a drop to your toothbrush and brush as normal. Peppermint is (clearly, in my mind) the best option.
Mouth Wash
Yup, it still tastes like soap. Add a drop to a small glass of water (2-3 tbsp) and swish!
Bubble Bath
Add 2-3 tablespoons of castile soap as you run your bath. Or, make this fancier version. Keep in mind that this will work best if you have soft water.
Makeup Remover
Massage a few drops into wet skin and rinse makeup and soap away. For removing waterproof makeup, use a recipe containing oil, like this one.
Clean Makeup Brushes
Add a few drops to a small bowl of warm water. Gentle swirl your brush and then work the soapy water into the bristles with your fingers to loosen the makeup and dirt. Rinse until all the soap is gone and the water runs clear.
Baby Soap
Put a few drops of mild unscented castile soap on a washcloth. Avoid getting soap in baby's eyes as it is not "tear-free". Rinse with water.
Baby Wipe Solution
Add a few drops of mild unscented castile soap to a squirt bottle filled with water and use with cloth wipes. Learn more about how to start cloth diapering here.
Laundry Detergent
Use ⅓-½ cup castile soap for a large load of laundry and add 1 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle (in the fabric softener compartment). You can also make liquid laundry soap with castile soap and a few other ingredients.
For handwashing delicates, add 1 tablespoon to your sink (or a small bucket) and fill with warm water. Gently swish your clothing item and let it sit for 10 minutes. Swish once more and rinse well with clean water.
Stain Remover
Add a drop or two of castile soap onto the stain and gently scrub with a toothbrush. Leave the soap on the stain to soak until it's time to wash in a load of laundry.
All-Purpose Cleaner
Make a super easy, effective and cheap all-purpose cleaner with castile soap. Here is my recipe. Simply made with castile soap, water and essential oil.
Toilet Cleaner
Add a few drops to your toilet brush before scrubbing. Or, spray the toilet with all-purpose cleaner and let sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing.
Floor Cleaner
Spray floors with multipurpose spray and mop with a microfibre mop, or add ¼ cup castile soap to a bucket of hot water and mop as usual. Do not use castile soap on waxed floors, as it can break down the waxy coating.
Dish Soap
Add about a tablespoon of castile soap to your sink as you fill it with water.
Produce Wash
Add a small drop to a large bowl of water. Place fruit and veggies in and gently swish. Rinse with clean water to remove soap.
Wash Car
Add a few drops to a bucket of water and wipe your wet car with a microfibre cloth. Rinse well. Spray windows with undiluted club soda and wipe for a streak-free shine.
Wash Outdoor/ Gardening Equipment
Same as for washing your car, add a few drops of castile soap to a bucket of water and wipe outdoor furniture, gardening equipment or anything that sits outside and gets dirty.
Wash Pets
Thoroughly wet your pet and use enough soap to create a good lather, massage through the fur, all the way down to the skin. Rinse well and avoid getting it in their eyes. The Baby Unscented variety is the best to use on pets as some essential oils may be toxic to some animals.
Shower Scrub
To clean the tub and shower, spray with all-purpose spray, sprinkle with baking soda and scrub with a soft, moistened sponge. The soap scum will come right off! You can also combine 1 part castile soap with 3 parts baking soda and a little water (enough to make a thin paste). You can make a larger batch and store it for up to a month. Apply with a sponge and scrub!
Wound Cleaner
1 teaspoon castile soap can be mixed with 1 cup filtered water to create a cleansing solution for minor wounds. However, saline (salt water) has been proven to be more effective than castile soap at cleaning open wounds.
Decongestant
Add a few drops of peppermint, eucalyptus or tea tree castile soap to a bowl of boiling water. Lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel and breath in the steam.
Ant Deterrent (for use on plants)
Mix 1 teaspoon castile soap with 1½ cups water and spray on plants daily until bugs are irradicated. Best to spray in the evening and not in direct sunlight.
Ant Deterrent (NOT for use on plants)
Mix 1 cup water with 1 tablespoon peppermint, tea tree or eucalyptus castile soap. Spray wherever ants tend to get into your house (common areas are along baseboards, doorframes and windows).
FAQ about Castile Soap
Which Castile Soap is the Best?
There are many high-quality castile soap brands on the market. I've only ever used Dr. Bronner's since it is the most widely available and I absolutely love it. Other brands you can look into are Desert Essence, Natural Way, Dr. Woods and Oregon Soap Company. They all have great reviews, so whichever you choose will most likely work for you!
How Long Does Castile Soap Last?
Castille soap has a shelf life of approximately 3 years (from the manufacturing date). Keep it in a cool dark place. Improper storage will shorten the shelf life.
Is Castile Soap Antibacterial?
Castile soap does not kill bacteria, but it's very effective at removing it, along with dirt and grease, with the help of water. So, it is technically a disinfectant, not antibacterial.
Is Castile Soap Safe?
Castile soap is generally made from simple, natural ingredients: vegetable oils, lye, citric acid and vitamin E. Some also contain essential oils which may be irritating if you have very sensitive skin.
Does Castile Soap Dry Out Skin?
The oils in castile soap don't remove your natural oils, yet are effective at cleansing. However, some people report a slight drying of the skin after use, so it really depends on your skin type.
I used to experience a dry, tight feeling after using castile soap alone on my skin, then started adding olive oil to my DIY products (like foaming hand soap) with castile soap, which has been a great solution. My skin now feels hydrated and fabulous.
Where to Get Castile Soap
Castile soap is widely available, as it has gained popularity in recent years. You can find it at most health food stores, some large chain grocery stores and many places online, including Amazon.
Can You Make Castile Soap at Home?
Yes, you can! I have never done it, but here is a highly rated, detailed tutorial on how to do it. I'm sure it's even cheaper to make it than to buy it!
What are your favorite uses for castile soap? Let me know in the comments below!
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