Update May 2022 —I’ve added a few uses to both the Sal Suds and Castile Soap Cheat Sheets. Plus: All four Cheat Sheets are now available in Spanish! (See the side bar to download or print.)
Dilute! Dilute! OK!* But how much? Here is a quick reference. None of this is a hard and fast rule. If your stuff is really dirty or your water is really hard, then you may want to use more than the recommended amount. However, this should get you started. You’ll notice that for some applications, I recommend pre-diluting the Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap—combining the soap with water in a container. For other applications, the soap is diluted by the water present in the situation. It’s a matter of personal preference. Keep in mind that if you predilute, you are also diluting the preservation system (tocopherols – vitamin E), so the shelf life drops. Use within a couple weeks. And yes, there are 18+ uses here.
* Long time Dr. Bronner’s users will remember this expression from the old labels.
Body Uses
Face: 2-3 drops on wet hands, applied to wet face.
Body: One small squirt on wet hands or washcloth, applied to a wet body.
Foaming Pump Dispenser: Dilution of one part soap to 3 parts water.
Wipe-Off Castile Body Wash Spray: Use when running water isn’t an option due to illness, large cast or bandage, or when hiking, camping, etc. Combine 1 ½ tsp. (7.5 mL) soap and 1 c. (240 mL) room temperature water in a spray bottle. Spray body wash lightly on skin, and wipe with a wet (not dripping) cloth. Dry skin.
Makeup Removal: Wet face and lather several drops of soap into hands. Massage into skin. Rinse.
Hair: A couple drops for close-cropped hair or up to ½ Tbsp. (7.5 mL) for long hair, either worked directly into very wet hair or pre-diluted in a cup of water. Follow with a capful of Dr. Bronner’s Citrus Organic Hair Rinse diluted in one cup (240 mL) of water or dilute apple cider vinegar in half with water.
Bath: Completely depends upon water amount, but approximately 2 Tbsp. (30 mL) soap in an average sized tub. (Doesn’t bubble, but still cleans.)
Shaving: Face—10 drops; Underarms—3 drops; Legs—½ tsp (2.5 mL); Work to a lather in wet hands, apply to area.
Teeth: 1 drop on a toothbrush. (Yes, it tastes like soap.)
Oral Appliances: Removable retainers, nightguards, etc. & dentures: Wet device. Add 1-2 drops of soap to a soft toothbrush. Brush gently, then rinse.
Foot Bath: ½ Tbsp. (7.5 mL) in a small tub of hot water.
Clearing Congestion: 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) Peppermint or Eucalyptus Castile soap in a bowl of steamy hot water. Breathe in mist with a towel draped over the head.
Household Uses
Dishes (Handwashing): Pre-dilute 1:10 with water. Squirt on a scrub brush. Alternatively, add 1-2 Tbsp. (15-30 mL) Castile Soap in a large sink of water. Use a small squirt of soap for one pot, or more if needed. To avoid water spots in hard water conditions, dry dishes by hand.
Laundry: 2–4 Tbsp. (30–60 mL) for HE washers. Add ½ c. (120 mL) vinegar to the rinse cycle. Optional: For whitening/deodorizing, add ¼ c. (60 mL) baking soda to wash cycle. Double these amounts for standard washers.
Handwashing Delicates: 1 capful (1 Tbsp. or 15 mL) Castile Soap in about 1 gallon (4 L) cold water. Swish gently. Let soak 10 minutes. Swish again. Rinse with clean water. Gently press out excess water with a towel. Hang or lay clothing flat to dry.
Mopping (Wood, Laminate, Vinyl, Stone & Tile Flooring): 2 ½ Tbsp (38 mL) of soap in 1 gallon (4 L) of hot water. Dunk mop (microfiber, preferably) and wring thoroughly. On wood and laminate, avoid excess water and mop up wet areas.
For smaller areas, add 2 tsp. (10 mL) Castile Soap to a quart (1 L) of water in a squirt bottle.
All-Purpose Cleaning Spray: ¼ c. (60 mL) soap in a quart (1 L) of water in a spray bottle. Optional: For extra microbial punch, add ¼ tsp. (1.25 mL) tea tree essential oil. Use on any surface that is safe in contact with water-stone countertops & tile; wood (painted or sealed, not waxed); plastic toys and such; stainless steel; sinks & toilets; and more!
Windows: 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) soap in a quart (1 L) of water in a spray bottle. Spray and squeegee. Follow up with pure club soda, or half vinegar/ half water and squeegee.
Toilet: Predilute 1:4 with water in a squirt bottle. Add ¼ tsp. (1.25 mL) tea tree oil. For best results, empty toilet. Spray or squirt 2-3 drops of Castile Soap directly on toilet brush. Sprinkle baking soda on the brush, scrub bowl, let sit 10 minutes, turn water on, flush.
Other Uses for Liquid Castile Soap
Fruit & Veggie Wash: 1 dash (approx. ¼ tsp.) in a bowl of water. Dunk produce and swish. Then rinse in clear water.
Dog Washing: Wet dog thoroughly. Massage in enough soap to create a good lather. (Amount varies based on size, hair type, and overall dirtiness.) Really massage it in down to the skin. Your dog will thank you for it. Rinse thoroughly.
Cleaning Makeup Brushes: Wet the make-up brushes in water. Add 1-2 drops soap to the bristles. Massage in gently for 10+ seconds, then rinse. Repeat as needed until water runs clear.
Plant Spray for Bugs: 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) in a quart (1 L) of water. Optional: Add ½ tsp. (1.25 mL) cayenne pepper or cinnamon. Spray plants twice daily in the cool of the day until infestation clears.
Ant Spray (Not on plants): ¼ c. (60 mL) Tea Tree Castile Soap in a quart (1 L) of water. (This concentration will burn plants.)
I’ve tried to keep this short and sweet. If you have any questions, please ask away!
Not sure when to use Sal Suds or when to use Castile Soap? Head over to my blog post, Sal Suds or Castile Soap—Which to Use?
If you’re interested in using the Castile Bar Soap for house cleaning, check out my Bar Soap Dilutions Cheat Sheet.
Further reading
- Sal Suds Dilution Cheat Sheet
- Sal Suds or Castile Soap – Which to Use?
- GIY All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
- Bar Soap Dilutions Cheat Sheet
This dilution and many more are in my book, Soap & Soul: A Practical Guide to Minding Your Home, Your Body, and Your Spirit with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, available now in hardback on DrBronner.com or at your favorite bookseller, and as an eBook and audiobook (read by me!) from wherever you download or listen.
Hello Lisa! I have a collection of antique laces and textiles that are very discolored from age, and I wonder how to gently clean and whiten these cotton, linen, and silk fabrics safely. Can you advise me? What would be the correct formula for washing these delicate heirlooms? Thanks for your help… I have been using Dr. Bronner products for decades, and have always loved them!
Hi Pamela – Two questions to start with are can the fabrics get wet and are they colorfast? The cotton and linen can probably get wet. To test them for colorfastness, rub a damp q-tip on an inconspicuous spot and see if any dye comes off. Silk is the tricky one. Silk is a natural fiber, protein based like our hair. It can usually get wet without deforming. It’s the drying that causes the difficulty. If silk dries with any wrinkles or misshapen, the only solution is to rewet it. Silk also is often not colorfast if it is deeply dyed, so do the colorfast test on it first if need be.
If you’ve gotten a “yes” to those two questions, you’re ready to handwash. Use cool water with soap – I recommend the unscented Castile (light blue bottle). Use about a capful in a sink of water. Set the fabrics in the soapy water and let them soak for 10 minutes or so. Gently swish them around in the water and then rinse them thoroughly in cool water. Do not wring them but let them drip dry or place them on a white towel to dry. Avoid using detergents, vinegar, ammonia, or bleach.
Here’s a website I just stumbled across that looks like it has some good advice: http://www.thaisilks.com/images/sales/WashSilk.pdf.
I’m very confused about this diluting thing. It’s a must or it isn’t? Im using it for body face and hair. And when you say drops…how is that different from a squirt? Sorry for the silly questions. Im just a bit overwhelmed and for some reason a bit nervous about how im using the soap.
Hi Gigi – The dilutions are merely suggestions. The idea is that the soap is more concentrated than you could possibly need to clean the given situation, whether it be your body or your house. The concentration is not harmful or toxic in any way. It’s just more than you need, and you’ll end up going through your soap – and your money – too quickly. Use whatever amount works for you, but the list I put together is just a starting point. Adjust it as you like. They are not hard and fast amounts.
[…] I have been using it for: washing my brushes, body wash, shaving and washed the dogs blankets. I am experimenting with a few other uses. Dr. Bronner’s has a great cheat sheet linked on their page. Take a look here! […]
Does this product work well on sensitive skin? I have issues with my hands drying out, especially in the winter.
Hi Ina – Perhaps you might do better with our Organic Pump Soaps, which contain more intense moisturizers in the form of organic Shikakai extract, organic sucrose (Yep, that’s sugar. It actually works to draw moisture in to the skin), and organic white grape juice. I also recommend our Body Balm on your hands, especially as a nighttime treatment.
Hi Lisa,
I have 3 auto immune ‘disorders.’ Needless to say I have sensitive skin, as well as very fine naturally curly hair, which frizzies! I was thinking about the Almond & Eucalyptus liquid soaps for all over body & hair. #1) Do you think one or both would be good choices? #2). I’m also allergic to, or have some sort of nasty reaction to Palm Oil. I did read about your Palm Oil. But is it really a different process from other companies? This is a serious concern for me since it doesn’t take much to send me to the Dr. Or taking Benadryl for several days. (Both of which I hate!) I respect your knowledge & look forward to your recommendations. What are your thoughts on the Palm Oil, as well as the Almond or Eucalyptus liquid soaps? (Hair frizzles?).
I know I asked a lot & I appreciate any help/suggestions you may offer!
Take care,
Susan
Hi Susan – I’m sorry to hear about all this! Unfortunately, because of your palm oil sensitivity, I hesitate to recommend our products to you. We use palm kernel oil (PKO) in all of our soaps, which is the oil that comes from the palm seed, whereas palm oil comes from the palm fruit. The difference in our PKO from others is how it is grown and produced, through highly sustainable, ethical and organic growing and production practices with a lot of environmental, employee and community benefit. But it is still palm kernel oil. Unless your sensitivity is related to chemicals such as glyphosate used in non-organic farming, you’ll probably still react to the palm kernel oil. I wish I could have a more helpful answer for you! I hope you find something that works!
Hello I recently was dx with Pityriasis rosea and my brother recommended Dr. Bronner’s. My question is is it safe to use Dr. Bronner’s Rose Pure-Castile Liquid soap while i have this condition and how much should I use to wash by body? Would you recommended using the Rose pure liquid soap for PR (P rosea) If I use more liquid soap then the instruction say will that be harmful? Do I have to dilute the liquid soap or can I just squirt a few drops on the wash cloth?
Also do you have any baby lotion or baby butt cream products? By the way I really liked this liquid soap I felt so clean afterwards. I’m so glad my brother told me about you products!!
Hi Elizabeth – I’m glad you heard about us, too! I am not specifically fmailiar with Pityriasis rosea, although I just looked up. I’m sorry you’re facing that, but I hope it clears up soon. It’s always good to check with your doc if you’re concerned about trying a new product, but one site I just read recommended you use a mild soap, which is exactly what our Castile is. The Rose is lovely and mild. Too much soap is not harmful in the least – it’s just more than you need and you’ll go through your bottle faster. You can just squirt a bit on your wet washcloth. That’s what I do.
For babies, our unscented body balm is a fabulous diaper ointment. It’s also great in those little creases babies get behind their knees or under their necks that get really red. The Body Balm clears all that right up.
Hi! I haven’t yet bought the Dr Bronner’s meant for all-purpose cleaning but in a pinch, I grabbed the baby unscented castile to do general housecleaning. We have very hard water, although we do have a water softener. I prefer spray & wipe cleaning, I don’t like to use more water by rinsing soap & re-wiping surface areas (unless it’s an exceptionally dirty area, then I’m fine with more suds). That being said, even following your solution chart, the all-purpose is far too sudsy. Any suggestions? Maybe this will be different once I get to the store & by the Sal Suds (is it less “sudsy” than the castile soap?). However, I don’t want to keep diluting the soap until it has less suds, I’m worried that affects its cleaning capabilities. Also, I prediluted in a spray bottle & noticed after a few weeks the mixture was cloudy & it would cause me to start sneezing immediately upon spraying (but it didn’t have a rancid odor, just caused a strong reaction with my sinuses) – does this mean it sat too long & was going bad? I’m still trying to figure out how much to have prediluted that I’ll use quick enough. Thanks!
Hi Christina – A couple suggestions if the 1/4 c. soap in a quart of water is still too sudsy – use a microfiber cloth for the wiping. They’re highly absorbent. Also, spray fewer sprays on the surface. And you can also dilute the solution further. The Sal Suds are more sudsy than the castile, but you would only use 1 Tbsp. of Sal Suds in a quart of water, so it ends up with about the same level of sudsiness.
It is possible that your premixed solution turned after a couple weeks, but I’ve kept mixtures for a month or longer with no ill effects. The scent is the first thing to fade when it is diluted and the cloudiness is most likely due to residual minerals in your water. If it doesn’t smell bad, though, and it is still cleaning things, there’s probably not a problem with it.
Hello Christina!
I am a Dr. Bronner’s soap user and get email notifications of new posts and answers. I read the posted question You had for Lisa and would like to tell You about My personal experience with dr. bronner’s soap for cleaning.
I have found that filling a spray bottle with water and adding a small amount works great for general cleaning.
I’ve also filled a spray bottle halfway with water and then halfway with soap for a good general cleaner, mainly for especially dirty jobs, but have since just resorted to adding a couple of drops of soap from the original bottle to a wet cloth or say, countertop, mop bucket, toilet. This works really well for Me.
I use the lighter spray for general wet dusting and have had no negative affects. With the stronger dilution, a squirt will go a long way in the kitchen or bath. A spray from the stronger dilution to a mop bucket of hot water usually will do a good job. It may not look to be strong enough, but always has been for Myself. If it wasn’t, I just added another squirt or two. And I never rinse after mopping. I use a cotton self wringing mop and allow the floors to air dry.
Again, when using the dr. bronner’s soap, I don’t worry so much about rinsing. And You’d be surprised how far just a little soap will go.
I’ll share with You that I have multiple health/immunity concerns. I was always a particular and avid home cleaner, using commercially made, store bought, “sanitizing” cleaners , thinking I was cleaning my home. After having children, We were constantly at the family physicians and emergency rooms for illnesses, especially once the new school years started.
I have to tell You, honestly, that since switching to dr. bronner’s , my families health improved so much it was quite remarkable. So much so, I wrote about this to Lisa, a year or so ago. I spoke with our physician about the change in Our health and He was so pleased with how Our health had improved. And especially for the reason why. We rarely, if ever, even catch a cold now. I wholeheartedly believe this is because the soap removes the bad bacteria and virus’ but allows the good bacteria to live strong and do their own jobs. Or maybe, that the commercial cleaners were so built up in Our home that they were the reason We were always becoming ill.
I suggest, if using dr. bronner’s in a spray bottle, to try adding a teaspoon to a spray bottle of water since You have soft water, and see if that works well for You. If not, add another teaspoon. It’s always easier to add a little more than to rinse and wipe away. I’ve lived in two different states since starting with dr. bronner’s and I have found that water differences can affect the dilution equations. You may also find, that once Your home is regularly cleaned with soap and water, in affect detoxing Your home from the residual cleaners, that You may need to use less soap to clean with. This is something I love about dr. bronner’s, and is kind of an oxymoron of sorts for a company that makes cleaning products. The larger bottle You buy, the more You money saved, and yet, the more You use, the less You’ll need. I have found, after using a highly diluted ratio to wet dust, that I don’t have to dust so often. That’s a win-win for Myself! When I clean my kitchen and Bath, I don’t worry about rinsing and have not had any irritations.
I also have to add that I use the original formula to clean with, rather than the new shikaki formula. And, I’ve had many friends compliment on the cleanliness and clean smell of My home. I use the peppermint, the citrus, and the almond scents.
The SalSuds is also a wonderful product and a small amount also goes a very long way. I haven’t found any products that work as well in a safe manner and is as economical. I don’t even look for a better product. I even shared my story of using the peppermint soap for pest control. It really is good stuff!
If You find the diluted soap becoming cloudy, as I have at a time or two, just give it a shake and it’ll be good.
I’ve had a spray bottle of diluted soap that gets cloudy but hasn’t gone rancid that’s over a year old. And, I just add a little more soap and water to fill up when needed.
I hope Your experience with Dr. Bronner’s is as positive as Mine has been.
I apologize for such a lengthy comment and hope it’s easy to understand.
Have a great day!
🙂
Where to buy Dr. BRONNER Magic soap.
Hi Ermelita – Check out the store locator on our website: https://www.drbronner.com/locator/. You can find our soaps in any natural health store across the country, but also in mainline stores such as Target, Costco, and most drug stores.
Kevin from Toronto
Which liquid castile soap is best for itchy scalp I am using Almond
Hi Kevin – Almond is one of the most soothing of our line. The mildest of all would be our Unscented Baby Mild, but another option to consider is our Tea Tree Castile which has natural therapeutic properties.
I’m excited to try Castile soap for my hair and face. I’ve always had sensitive skin and my scalp breaks out in sores when I use any regular hair products- so hopefully Castile soap will be better! I’m also looking forward to using it to wash my face! Thanks for the dilution list! 🙂
Hi Amanda – Great! Check out my thoughts on shampooing with soap in this post: https://www.lisabronner.com/?s=shampoo. It can help you get through the transition to a different hair care regimen.
Quick and urgent question: can i use this soap on granite or marble counter tops? If so, how much should I dilute? Ever since me and my husband became vegan and threw out all our chemical and animal product soaps, this brand has been my life. I tell everyone about it, it is so so good. The peppermint one is my favorite thing on this planet. I use it on my face and it helped with breakouts like crazy. I wash my body and hair with it, shave with it and use the peppermint flavored toothpaste as well. I do all the cleaning and washing and just everything with this soap and I’m so obsessed with it I have a bottle in every room. Haven’t tried any other scents sadly since the peppermint one smells so good I could smell it all day haha. My husband loves it as well. It’s the only cleaning/body product we use, other than stuff like baking soda, vinegar, acv, oils and EOs. My favorite oil at the moment to use with this soap is tamanu oil, not many people know about its healing powers but it’s amazing for breakouts, redness, scars, infections, athletes foot, cuts, wounds etc. I want to try every Dr bronners product. Thank you so much, this soap is the best I’ve ever tried!
Hi Alla – Fantastic! And yes! The castile soap is safe for granite and marble. The issue with both of these, marble much moreso, is that acidic solutions can etch them, especially with repeated exposure. However, Castile soap (and all true soap) is alkaline and poses no problem at all.
Hi, I would like to know how to use this to wash my dogs. I have a Boxer puppy and an older chihuahua. Any suggestions?
Hi there – Check out this video I did washing my dog Sandy: https://www.lisabronner.com/washing-the-dog-with-dr-bronners/. You’ll hear some tips for washing pets.
Hello,
I have extremely sensitive skin and eczema. I want to try the peppermint or eucalyptus. My concern is the soap separating. Are the conditions I should be aware of to prevent separation or negative reactions with sensitive skin. I’m not so much worried about the oils themselves (except tea tree, my skins too sensitive for that one; which is strange since it helps with eczema for many). Also, would you know if a person with sensitive skin should be wary on how they use apple cider vinegar for washing hair, if need be. Thank you!
Hi Angie – On its own, the soap does not separate. If you’re adding your own essential oils to it, it might separate, but you can just remix it by shaking it. I would advise against the Peppermint for sensitive skin. Peppermint essential oils is naturally drying and can be irritating to sensitive skin. The Eucalyptus is an intriguing option, though. Before we added the Tea Tree to our line-up in the 90’s, we recommended the Eucalyptus to people with skin difficulties. As far as the apple cider vinegar goes, try diluting it more than the 50% I’ve said elsewhere and work your way up to a strength that works and is comfortable for you.
Thank you so much, Lisa! I forgot to ask, would I be able to mix baby mild to dilute the others? I will probably experiment with different scents and my skin as time goes on.
Thank you again.
Angie
Hi Angie – Yes, you can mix any of the castiles together.
I appreciate all the uses of this product and it’s natural origins…However, I find the packaging to be a bit much; All the writing makes it busy and difficult to read one section. Other than that, great product!
I love the bottle and what it stands for.
I purchased some liquid castile soap. I checked the recipes but didn’t see any for a dishwasher. Do you have a product and/or recipe for dishwashing machines?
Thanks!
Hi Debbie – I’m sorry, we don’t have a product that performs well in a dishwasher. There are many customers that have found recipes that work for their specific dishwasher, but none across the board. I do not recommend at all that you use the castile soap if you have hard water. If you do try a homemade formula, use the Sal Suds as the base.
Hi Lisa!
I noticed the Lemongrass Lime pump soap is on sale this month and I’ve been anxious to try it.
I haven’t yet purchased the pump soaps.
Are the pump soaps comparable to the Liquid soaps in uses and/ or dilution?
I enjoy using a drop or two in a bathroom sink of water to freshen up during the day and usually, among all of the other uses, a large bottle will last a good while for Myself.
On another note, I haven’t been able to use the liquid soap as a shampoo, as my hair is just too dry from hypothyroidism. I’ve tried using it with the vinegar rinse and sadly, though I love the soap, it’s not an option for my dry curly hair, without adding more products to tame it down.
I believe I read that the pump soaps are more moisturizing, so I’m wondering if the pump soap would be a better option? I know I’ll have to try this version for Myself to find My own experience, and I don’t mean to deter Anyone else.
I’m placing my order and look forward to having the new scent!
Thank You!
Have a wonderful day!
Hi Elizabeth – The Pump Soaps are formulated pretty exclusively for the body. They are not as versatile as the Castile for around the house uses. Because of the Shikakai extract, which is awesome on the skin but is kind of a cinnamon like powder, I wouldn’t put it in a spray bottle. It would probably clog it. It also might get caught in fabrics if it were used in the laundry. However, it is awesome on the skin and is indeed more moisturizing. I think it would be a great thing to try for your hair.
Hi Lisa , I am considering purchasing the peppermint Castile soap and was just wondering does it clear up your skin if you have Acene and dark spots ?
Hi Tamara – Instead of the Peppermint, I highly recommend the Tea Tree Liquid Castile soap for alleviating acne. I don’t know if it will help with dark spots, but it will help promote healthy skin that is more able to heal itself, so it might help the dark spots. I wrote about my journey to healthy skin here: https://www.lisabronner.com/i-wash-my-face-with-castile-soap/.
hi- so i know that you can use the soap to clean your dog but is it ok for me to clean my cat with it?
Hi Alekz – Castile soap is great to clean cats. However, because cats can be sensitive to various essential oils, we recommend using the Unscented Baby Mild.
When using the soap to mop floors or clean counters do you have to rinse afterwards? I’m a bit confused thanks
Hi Wendy – If you use the ratios I recommend and a good mop (I like microfiber), no you do not. At this great a dilution, the soap is going to grab the dirt on one side and the water on the other and the mop is going to carry them away. The last thing you want, though, is soap left on the floor, because soap holds on to dirt and will make your floors dirty faster. If you think you have too much soap, dilute your mop solution further.
I used your baby soap in a bath and the water turned cloudy and not bubbly. I want to make my own bubblen baths how do I go about doing that?
Hi Alex – Yep, our soaps don’t work great as a bubble bath. The cloudiness you saw is a result of the soap reacting with hard water. Nothing is wrong at all, but it’s just something soap does. There are a lot of recipes out there for bubble bath. I haven’t tried any, but I believe they have something to do with glycerin, which has a very high surface tension. My guess is that commercial bubble baths are detergent based, which also have a much higher surface tension.
I have a homemade laundry detergent recipe that calls for your soap. In my last batch, I used Baby Unscented. I was thinking about getting the gallon of citrus. Do you think I’m reading the recipe correctly, and is that the soap you would chose?
Thanks!
Kathy
2 gallon bucket
2 gallons water
1/2 cup Super Washing Soda (found at any grocery store I believe!)
1/2 cup Baking Soda
3/4 cup castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s in lavender)
30 drops of your favorite essential oils (I used lavender and “joy” blend)
Large wooden/plastic spoon to stir (not pictured)
2 1-gallon glass containers
Hi Kathy – Yes, the Citrus castile would be a fine subsitution for the Lavender Castile mentioned in this recipe. All Dr. Bronner’s Castile soaps have the same base, but with different essential oils.
I am planning on using cloth diapers for my baby. I make my own laundry detergent. Is the baby castIle soap safe for cloth diapers?
Hi Kelly – The prime concern with cloth diapers is their absorbency, so you want to clean them with something that has superb rinseability. The Castile soap can have issues with this, especially when it is used in hard water. The best option is our Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner, https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/category/SALSUDSCLEANER.html, which is an excellent cleaner, mild and non-toxic, and is leaves absolutely no trace of residue.
Does it remove makeup? And is it oil based cleanser when you make the face wash?
Hi Lillian – The soap does work great for make-up removal, but because it should be gotten in the eyes, check out this post I wrote about using coconut oil for makeup removal, especially around the eyes: https://www.lisabronner.com/coconut-oil-for-makeup-removal/.
And that takes us right into the next question which is the role of oil in facial cleansers. To answer the question you asked, all soap is technically oil-based because soap by definition is an oil reacted with an alkali. The only way to make a non-oil based cleanser is to use a detergent of some sort. However, let me dissuade you from this myth that marketing hype has perpetuated that oil is bad for skin. Oil is what is in our skin. When our skin is dry, it is due to a lack of oils. When our skin freaks out with acne, it is often because it is irritated due to a lack of oil. However, there are good oils and bad oils. Bad oils (petrochemicals and hydrogenated oils) irritate the skin, clog pores, cause breakouts, redness, and all manner of ilk. Good oils, such as coconut, jojoba, and hemp oil to name the best (here’s something else to read: https://www.lisabronner.com/9-ways-to-use-hemp-oil-in-body-care-and-why-youd-want-to/) are particularly fantastic for our skin and make our skin glow. They mimic the natural oil makeup of our skin. Our skin recognizes them and shouts, “Yay!” So don’t be afraid of oils, but do check out what oils products contain.
Is this recommended for hand soap for bathrooms, kitchen, etc?
Hi Nicole – Yes, it works great for handsoap. Either leave it in the original bottle and use a drop or two each time, or dilute it in a foaming pump dispenser at a ratio of 1:4. The soap does not work well in regular dispensers.
How about if I’m hand washing clothes? I’m sick from lots of illnesses so I think hand washing would be best for me
Hi Andrea – The soap works great for handwashing. If you’re washing just one item, then a capful of soap in a sink of water (a gallon or so) would work great. If you’re doing a whole tub of clothes, go with the full half cup of soap. Submerge the clothes and agitate them. Then let them soak about 10 minutes. Then agitate them some more and rinse them out.
how effective is tea tree on germs?
Hi Ronald – Tea Tree Oil is starting to get a lot of recognition for what many holistic traditions have already known – That it is effective against bacteria, fungus, and viruses. As modern scientific study starts to turn its attention to this herb, studies are supporting this: http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/content/45/5/639.full and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360273/. I don’t have a numerical answer for you, but in short I would say it is very effective.
Thank you so much! I like it and use it as well as other Dr. Bronner liquid soaps.
I used the 1:10 ratio for hand washing dishes just yesterday for the first time, and it proved to be way too much!
Hi Lisa,
I live in Southern California and we have a serious drought problem. I have been using my bath water (grey water) to water my landscape. I read an article that specifically said to only use your line of magic liquid soap because it doesn’t have any salts (sodium) in it which is detrimental to plants. I want to try your Shikakai liquid soap. Does it have salts in it? Is it safe for plants if you use it for both body and shampoo?
Hi Julie – Yes, the Shikakai Organic Pump Soaps have the same soap base as the Liquid Castile, which does not contain sodium. We actually had our soaps analyzed for grey water system safety, and we have certifications on all of them. If you’d like to see a copy of those certifications, email me at lisa@drbronner.com
Hi Lisa,
I’m raising my 5 year-old granddaughter who has recently been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. She is hypersensitive to certain chemicals, odors, and textures. I never know which products will work for her until after a potentially risky trial. Currently, she uses no soap in the bath whatsoever. Additionally, I am on a limited income and affordability is a concern, although I’m willing to pay a little more for something that actually works. Do you think any of your products would be a good fit for her?
Thank you,
Lorie
Hi Lorri – It sounds like you have a lot to keep track of here. If you know which chemicals and fragrances your granddaughter is sensitive to, you can compare them to the ingredients in our soaps. I would recommend our Unscented Baby Mild, which is formulated for the sensitive skin of babies, with no essential oils in it. Here are the ingredients: Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Palm Kernel Oil*, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
*CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS
** None remains after saponifying oils into soap & glycerin.
Just bought my first bottle to the peppermint, hemp castile liquid at Trader Joes. There’s so much writing on the bottle so I couldn’t really see what it’s for. The TJ staff assured me it’s used for “everything”! That, along with their great return policy…I decided to try it out. What would you suggest for cleaning (long ignored) kitchen cupboards. We have cats (who react negatively to strong peppermint) so I’m hoping it doesn’t need to be too strong. Thanks so much! I’m excited to try this…and more products if this works out well.
Hi Kristin – Although true, the “everything” instruction can be a little daunting. However, for the house, start with a spray bottle of 1/4 c. soap with 1 quart of water and go to town on your cabinets. It works great. Cats are averse to strong scents, so I don’t recommend it on them or any of their stuff.
Do bear in mind that this is meant to be, first and foremost, a body soap, so in all your eagerness to clean your house with it, give it a try on yourself. Peppermint is a bit zingy, and a little goes a long way. If the Peppermint is too strong for you, try one of our other scents. The Citrus is my current favorite.
Hello,
Quick question…I’ve been using the unscented liquid soap for my kids for the last couple of years. Recently, I’ve began making a larger sized batch to leave in the shower for longer periods of time. Since i’ve introduced water (distilled) to dilute the soap, do I need to add some sort of preservative to the mix. I make enough to last for a month or so, and I’m beginning to be concerned about bacteria growth.
Thanks in advance for calming my mind.
Jessica
Hi Jessica – If the soap solution turns, you’d notice it in a change of smell. However, for extra precaution, you could add your own mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) to extend the shelf life. I’ve not done this, so I don’t have a quantity for you, but perhaps a little online research (Or maybe another helpful reader here???) could give you some tips.
Hi Lisa
It’s the first time that I’m using this liquid soap.
I’m from Belgium and never heard of this brand.
It’s amazing and it contains vitamin E.
Can you drink it? What did you think about a 19-in-1 solution 🙂
Hi Anneleen – I’m glad you found our soaps! The vitamin E (also called tocopherols) function as a natural preservative in our soaps. We do not recommend that you drink the soap. Although it wouldn’t be toxic, it could cause a very upset digestive system. As far as uses go, the list is growing more and more each day!
[…] Multifungsi (praktis untuk dibawa saat travelling). Saya pernah menggunakan sabun ini untuk membersihkan muka, menggosok gigi, mandi, bahkan mencuci baju (ampuh banget untuk membasmi noda). Hahaha. Tentunya rasio sabun dan airnya berbeda-beda untuk tiap penggunaan. Contek daftar rasio sabun dan air serta jenis penggunaannya disini. […]
Hi Lisa,
For those that suffer from bad odors in under arms or feet. Which one of your soaps do you recommend and do you recommend bar soap or liquid soap? Do you recommend they combine it with anything else?
Thanks!
Hi Ken – Tea Tree essential oil is awesome at eating up bad odors. It has natural antimicrobial properties which helps control the beasties that responsible for bad odors. I would recommend then our Pure Castile Tea Tree liquid soap. The liquid has a greater concentration of the essential oil than does the bar soap. For feet/shoes, perhaps a light sprinkle of a combo of baking soda (for odor control) and corn starch (for moisture control). I haven’t tried it, but I this is what I would do. For underarms, we’re working on a natural deodorant option, but haven’t been ready to share anything yet.
I had been using Bronners peppermint off and on since the 1980s….recently started using it again every day for showers. I could not figure out why I developed rash and itching to the point of bleeding. It took me 3 months…but finally figured out Bronners changed their ingredients and added hemp oil (weed) to all soaps. Hemp was causing an allergic reaction. After being a customer for over 20 years I can no longer use ANY of their soaps….very unfortunate . Be careful if you have sensitive skin.
Hi Jeff – I am sorry to hear about your reaction to the soaps. I’m glad you brought up your concern about hemp oil. These are issues about which many consumers have questions. We added hemp oil to the soaps about 15 years ago to pair with the jojoba oil both of which mirror the natural oils in our skin’s sebum. This article I wrote earlier this year helps to explain hemp in bodycare: https://www.lisabronner.com/9-ways-to-use-hemp-oil-in-body-care-and-why-youd-want-to/.
The other concern is about the relationship between hemp and marijuana. The hemp that we use in our soaps, and that is used in hemp products of all sorts you see on the market, is industrial hemp. Industrial hemp has a low to nonexistent THC content, which is the narcotic component of marijuana. Another article I wrote here helps to explain its safety.
https://www.lisabronner.com/hemp-is-not-a-drug/.
The peppermint essential oil is a very intense oil and I don’t recommend this variety of our soaps to people with sensitive skin. Milder options include our Almond, Citrus, Rose, and of course Unscented Baby Mild.
I hope these thoughts are of help.
I washed my hair in 18-1 hemp baby unscented in Dr. Bronners pure castle soap , what a nightmare. It has left a waxy film in my hair and stuck together. How can I get this out?
Hi Lynda – I am very sorry not to have seen this earlier. The soap needs to be followed up with an acidic rinse in order to work as a shampoo. Our hair likes low pH. Soap is a higher pH. This causes segments of our hair follicles to stick out on each strand. They create a roughness and a tacky feeling, kind of like mini-velcro. An acidic rinse, such as with apple cider vinegar, or Dr. Bronner’s Hair Rinse, smooths these follicles down. Check out my own story here: https://www.lisabronner.com/from-shampoo-to-soap-%E2%80%93-my-story/.
Reading the comments, I see you suggest not to dilute regular dr bronner liquid castile soap in a pump for a liquid hand soap because it might clog the dispenser. I am surprised to read this. I have a cute glass bottle with a regular pump besides my sink. I put about 1/4 peppermint liquid soap in it and fill the rest with water. It’s a little watery, but works very well and I just love it. Never clogged the pump. Just needs a little shake maybe once a week to keep everything perfectly mixed.
Dr.Bronner is the BEST! Love your blog!
Hey I am new to bronners soap but I love it! I want to use the peppermint one in the shower but am wondering the dilution ratio would be to put it in an old.body wash container so I can just pump wash and go and don’t have to worry about diluting it right then and there ya know?
Hi Dominique – Personally, I don’t pre-dilute for the shower. The amount of water present in the situation through the water on my skin and on my wash cloth dilutes it right there. However, if you would like to dilute it, go with about a 1 to 4 dilution, because it will still be diluted further as you use it and you don’t want to end up having to squirt a ton out.
Hi Lisa,
Do I need to add washing soda for the laundry? Thanks!
I’m not a fan of washing soda in general because it’s pretty hard on clothes. It definitely shortens the life of the clothes. However, it is really effective and probably would be a great thing for whitening whites.
Instead, I use baking soda – 1/2 c. – and that gives me the whitening I’m looking for.
I would like to make a pump hand soap, body soap and shampoo. I love the smell of vanilla, could you recommend the best product that I could add vanilla oil to?
Hi Cheryl – Ooh! I love mixing things up! You could add the vanilla essential oil to the Unscented Baby Mild if you wanted just straight vanilla. However, it could also smell yummy to add it to the Citrus or the Almond or even the Peppermint.
Hi – I love Dr. Bronner’s and use it for bath soap and shampoo. Also for liquid hand soap, even though it tends to clog the dispensers. Any tips for resolving that?
My main question though relates to washing clothes. While on vacation recently I chose to wash a few items in the hotel sink using a bar of lavender soap I packed with me (wanted to avoid taking liquid on the plane). I soon noticed that the color from the clothes was bleeding out into the water, even though they were colorfast fabrics. Do you know if all the soaps do this or was it just the lavender? Would the liquid soap make colors run as well? I need to plan for an upcoming trip and would like to pack ahead as I won’t be able to find Dr. Bronner’s where I’m going.
Thank you.
Hi Matt – It’s great to hear you’re enjoying the versatility of our castile soaps! For dispensers, the castile soaps does not work well in traditional pumps. No dilution or added ingredients will change this. We’ve tried. Your two options are to switch to a foaming pump at a 1:3 dilution, or use our Organic Pump Soaps, which were designed for regular pumps.
For laundry, I’m sorry to hear about the colors bleeding! I’ve not experienced this, but I haven’t used the bar soaps for laundry. I use the liquid soaps on my bedding and the colors haven’t faded. I use the Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds on the majority of my laundry and it does really well. Since Sal Suds is more concentrated, you use much less for the washing. I take a 2 oz. bottle with me on trips for washing things in sinks.
Is it safe to use on female private areas when showering (will it change ph)?
Hi Shonia – While the soap is safe to use on all external areas, we recommend caution using it internally as a douche or enema. If you do so, be sure to rinse very thoroughly as leftover soap can be irritating. Leftover soap could also increase the pH internally.
as vaginas (and M & F foreskins) are naturally self-cleaning, all you really need is to rinse/wipe (external parts) with water. i have a pre-diluted spray bottle i spray outside the area and wipe through, then rinse well. i get clean and no irritation. any internal use would likely be very bad for pH.
I found the spray bottle dilution to still be too soapy when I used it. I’ll tty adding more water to the spray bottle
Hello,
I purchased a bottle of the peppermint soap today from Trader Joe’s. I tested it for the ph and it was approx. 8.4. I diluted it 3 parts water to 1 part soap as per your May 6th reply. It actually increased the ph and the alkalinity. Is there any way to lower it?
Thank you so much!
Joanne
Hi Joanne – I just ran across a similar question in an email. Have you tested the pH of your water alone? The other customer found that her water was not neutral, as it should be. Hers happened to be acidic. Yours may well be alkaline. Which is rather unsettling. Makes you wonder what’s in the water. Unfortunately, I don’t have an answer to that one, but as far as reducing the pH of the solution, you run the risk of unsaponifying the soap if you add some sort of acid to it, such as vinegar, citric acid, or lemon juice. Another thought, though, is that if you test the pH of your water and do discover that it is alkaline, you could try adjusting the pH of your water by adding acid to it before you add the soap. If this sounds like more trouble than it’s worth, you could buy distilled water or use a good water filter to clean out impurities.
Hello! For the laundry, do you use the Castile soap straight or do you combine washing soda and whatnot? I have seen a lot of recipes for that and haven’t seen anyone talk about using the soap by itself.
Hi Winter – I usually toss in a 1/2 c. of baking soda and then add 1/2 c. of vinegar to the rinse via my fabric softener spot in my washer. Washing soda is pretty powerful and can shorten the life of your clothing, much more so than baking soda. It could be a great thing, though, on items that need a good scrubbing and generally have a shorter life anyways, such as socks and underwear.
Hey Lisa!
I just purchased my first bottle of Dr. Bronner’s and am excited about the day-to-day possibilities for it!
What recipe would you recommend for using Dr. Bronner’s as a substitute for shampoo? Also, how frequently should that be used? Are there any other specific daily uses that you would recommend? Thank you!
Hi Erik – Welcome to the family! For shampooing, check out a post I wrote about my own transition: https://www.lisabronner.com/from-shampoo-to-soap-%e2%80%93-my-story/. The hard thing about our hair is that there is so many different types. Some people can wash with soap and go, others need to do the acidic rinse. Some can go every three days, others need every day. Personally, I wash my hair every other day and I always use a rinse – either the Dr. Bronner’s Hair Rinse or a 50% apple cider vinegar solution. If my hair is feeling dry and brittle, I put on the Dr. Bronner’s Leave In Conditioning Creme. If my hair is really, really dry, I do a hair masque with coconut oil.
That’s a lot of options for you, but hopefully with a little experimentation, you’ll find what works for you.
Hi Lisa! We LOVE Dr. Bronner in our house! Thank you for your great products! I have a question. Currently, I’m making our powder laundry soap using 3 bars of grated Kirk’s Castile bar soap. I’d like to add a little scent to the detergent. May I replace the Kirk’s with,say, 3 bars of your citrus bar soap? Or is only the liquid soap suitable for the washer? Thank you!
~Brette
Hi Brette – Either the liquid or the bar will work great for your laundry soap. You can definitely replace your current bar soap with grated Dr. Bronner’s bar. The scent in the liquid is more concentrated, though, so you could also go with the liquid. I think the bar would save you more pennies, though.
I am new here to your products. I am so excited to try them! I am starting with the liquid Castile soap and I am a bit nervous if they clog the soap dispensers won’t they clog our pipes? I am looking to replace our handsoap, face soap, body soap, and who know what else?! I just would feel more comfortable if I knew the pipes were safe from clogging as well as I know that can be an expensive fix. Thank you so much! I am exciting to start experimenting!!!!
Hi Kim – The soaps going down the drain are so extremely diluted that they will not clog your pipes. It is the pure soap in the dispensers that is drying out and clogging them. The soap going down the drain will find some grime and water to attach to, which will keep it from hanging out and clogging.
Thanks, Lisa. When you say pure soap, what are you referring to? Also, you had mentioned using a foam dispenser for handsoap. Where would be a good place or what brand is good for foam dispensing? Do you also recommend a foam dispenser for bodywash or shampoo?
Hi Kim – By “pure soap”, I mean the unused soap in the dispenser that hasn’t been used yet to attach itself to any grime or dirt. I use a Cuisipro foaming pump that you can get on Amazon. A 1:4 dilution gives a nice amount of soap for handwashing. For the shower, I don’t predilute, so I wouldn’t use a foaming pump. I prefer just to use my washcloth or brush or loofah and put a small squirt of the pure soap on that.
Sailing drysuits made of fancy fabrics w latex and neoprene gaskets: is dr bronner’s peppermint castille soap right if “soap flakes” are recommended?
Hi Susan – Yes, I think if you grated our bar soap on a really fine grater, you would get the perfect thing for washing these.
Hi Lisa:
I recently got a tattoo and one of the requirements in caring for it in the early stages is to bath with simple soap as this is deemed to be pure and void of harsh chemicals. I recently purchased a bottle of the liquid soap peppermint scented and was wondering if it would be okay to bathe the tattooed area using this soap. I really love the feel and the tingle this soap gives but I would not want to irritate the tattoo if I could avoid it.
Hi Angela – I am so sorry not to have seen this sooner, as I know your tattoo is well on its way to healing. Probably fully so by now. I would recommend not using the peppermint on sensitive skin, and would probably go for the almond or another milder one. Also, our Dr. Bronner’s Body Balm is a super awesome product for helping tattoos heal and for brightening up old tattoos.