You know you’ve really gone DIY—and eco-friendly—when you find yourself buying those giant bottles of castile soap. (And you know you’re really eco-friendly when you start buying it in bulk!)
Castile is a plant-based, biodegradable, natural soap that can be used as a base for DIY beauty and household products, as well as on its own as a powerful cleaner. While Dr. Bronner’s is probably the most popular brand, there are others out there. You can buy it plain, or scented with essential oils—I’m a big fan of Rose and Eucalyptus.
10 Ways to Use Castile Soap at Home
There’s a reason those giant bottles of Dr. Bronner’s say “magic soap” on them: Castile truly is a godsend. I also love it because it’s cheap, especially when you consider it’s so concentrated that you hardly need any of it.
Grab a ginormous bottle and start using it everywhere in the house! Here are 10 Castile soap uses to get you started:
1. Household All Purpose Cleaner
Just add hot water to Castile soap and you’re good to go to fight grime on tile, counters and other non-porous surfaces.
Try this: DIY Natural Granite Cleaner or DIY Bathtub Scrub
2. Hand Soap
So easy: Just add a squirt of castile soap to a pump and fill the rest with water. Add a dozen drops of naturally antibacterial essential oils like cinnamon, clove, lavender, lemon, oregano, rosemary, sweet orange, tea tree or thyme if you like.
Try this: Green Tea, Lemongrass + Ginger Liquid Hand Soap or DIY Foaming Soap or Magical Whipped Soap
3. Dish Soap
Mix Castile soap with water 1:1. If you find you need more grease-fighting power, try adding super washing soda to the mix.
Try this: Lavender Dish Soap or Sal Suds Dish Soap or Herb-Infused Dish Soap
4. Body Wash
You can wash with diluted castile soap (3 parts water to 1 part soap), or whip up a luxurious body wash with Castile, coconut oil, raw honey and essential oils.
Try this: Skin Clearing Body Wash or DIY Coconut + Honey Body Wash or Moisturizing Citrus Body Wash
5. Laundry detergent
Mix Castile soap with a few simple ingredients for a homemade laundry detergent with big stain-fighting power.
Try this: Liquid Laundry Detergent or Powder Laundry Detergent
6. Shaving cream
Combine Castile with coconut oil to create a moisturizing homemade shaving cream that will banish unsightly bumps and razor burn.
Try this: Moisturizing Homemade Shaving Cream
7. Floor Cleaner
Add 2-3 tablespoons Castile soap to your mop bucket for sparkling floors. Just a few drops of orange essential oil will provide a lovely citrus smell.
Try this: DIY Carpet Cleaner
8. Oven Cleaner
Mix with baking soda and salt for a tried-and-true non-toxic oven cleaner.
Try this: Natural Non-Toxic Oven Cleaner
9. Facial Cleanser
Combine your favorite castile soap with distilled water in a 1:4 ratio in a foaming soap bottle to make this gentle cleanser. While you’re at it, you can also clean your makeup brushes!
Try this: Homemade Honey Face Wash or Homemade Foam Face Wash or Aloe Vera Face Wash
10. Stain Remover
Remove stains from clothing with a combination of Castile soap, Borax and washing soda, all in a convenient stick.
Try this: DIY Stain Stick or Stain Remover Spray
How do you use Castile soap at home?
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All the various uses of a castile soap nicely listed and explained… and yes, castile soap is as effective as a body wash as it is for regular cleaning…
I love Dr. Bronner’s soaps, but it is a real pet peeve of mine that they are labeled as “Castille Soap”. Castille soap is make with only olive oil, not hemp, not coconut, etc. So, unless his soaps are made with 100% olive oil, they are not castille.
This is a great idea. My family and i are concidering to, one to the mountains so this wound be a great idea. Thanks for all of yourh help.
I remember back in the mid-50’s when I was still in grade school using castile soap on problem skin. Loved the product then. Time to try it again.