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.
Just recently, 1 month ago, I bought a bottle of your soap to use on my cat. I purchased the one for babies because I didn’t want my precious cat to be sick or overwhelmed by scents. Funny thing is afterwards a friend came by and saw the soap. He was acting like a kid in a candy store and immediately asked me if he could use it to wash his (clean) hands. Proclaiming the whole while about your soap being “The BEST soap in the universe!!!”. He gave me the money to pick some peppermint soap up for him the next time I went to the store where I got mine. Needless to say I started using your soap as did my family. In one month all of my acne has cleared. I wanted to let you know how very impressed I am with your soap and will forever be a devoted customer. I can’t wait to try your other scents and products.
I’m currently pregnant and am looking for baby soap and shampoo that is safe to use on my baby once he’s born. I’ve done some research on your products along with checking each of them on the EWG website and I am so very pleased to find the ratings on the ingredients to be safe, especially compared to common products such and Johnson & Johnson, Baby Magic, etc. With that being said I am interested in using the Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap and possibly mixing it with the Lavender Pure-Castile Liquid Soap. Are there any specific recommended ratios I should use while combining these two? And should I further dilute it with water since I’ll be using it on a baby?
Thank you!
Dear Lisa
I’m interested in using the castile soap for my dog who has sensitive skin. She often gets hot spots and rashes. Which of the castile soaps do you recommend?
Thank you in anticipation!
Michele
Hi Lisa! I am trying to come up with a money saving DIY Beard soap/wash. From what I have been reading, liquid castile soap is a primary ingredient. I plan on using Bronner’s baby mild unscented variety and adding essential oils for a nice scent (so far I am trying grapefruit, peppermint, and rosemary). I am going to use an old 8oz plastic amber round bottle with a disc cap and was wondering a good dilution ratio for the soap and the distilled water but will still create good lather when worked into the beard. Thank you!
Hi Lisa, Just brought home a puppy. Is there a particular scent you would recommend for washing my new girl?
Thank you!
Hi,
I am new to Dr. Bronner’s soaps. I have a friend that uses this and swears by it. What is the difference between the pump and regular soap? It looks like the pump soaps have sugar in them were as the other soap in the bottle does not? I am assuming with the pump soap as well it is already diluted and would not need to do anything to it. For someone starting off with the brand, what would you suggest to use? I am looking for a good face wash and body wash. I have sensitive skin. Thank you for your help!
Hi,
I am planning to bath my cat using the Dr.Broneners Castile soap- liquid
The recipie is of a homemade shampoo for cats is:
1 cup of apple cider vinager
1 cup of gentle soap ( here is when I have a doubt) can I use the Castile soap as “gentle soap”?
4 cups of water
Or do you think I can use the Castile soap dilute itself to bath the cat with out the others ingredients ?
If yes,can I use the same amount required above ? 1 cup?
I hope hear from you soon.
Many thanks,
Daniella
I have a large bottle of peppermint soap. Is this safe for mopping wood floors?
I made a bottle of all purpose cleaner by diluting your hemp tea tree castille soap with water (as you said it would be, it’s cloudy, which is no big deal). We know we shouldn’t use the product on our quartzite counters due to the citric acid, but I’ve been trying to figure out if the citric acid in the soap is OK on our wood floors. I can’t get a definitive answer. What do you think? Thanks!
I would like to make a countertop spray using your non-scented Castile Soap and I’d like to add basil and lemongrass essential oils. Do you see a problem with that? I’ve read that adding citrus is a bad idea because of the chemical reaction it may cause (makes a film). Thoughts?
I’m an OTR truck driver & use the Peppermint Castile Soap for just about everything washable, including myself. I use the peppermint for a number of reasons. First, it combats odors, no matter thier origin. From stale, “cab has been closed up for too long” to “hot, steamy summer workday & I’m not fresh like a daisy” type of odors, it makes my work clothes & bedding smell so wonderful. I shower with it; so the scent & invigorating feel of the peppermint is welcome at the end of a day that took a day-and-a-half to get over with (just have to watch I don’t get it in my eyes). Peppermint is also one of those scents that can help keep you awake/alert (advantageous for someone in my profession). It does an exceptional job on the washable surfaces on the inside of my truck too.
That DOES lead me to a question that I JUST thought of: Can I use this soap in my little home hot solution extractor? I do believe It’d be nice to be able to “wash” my driver’s seat with castile as well.
This was one of my Wife’s better discoveries & I do love it. Thank you.
Are all scents of the Castile soap safe for dishwashing by hand? Are there any that you recommend in particular for this job? Also, can this same soap be used in the dishwasher? Thank you! Glad to have found this product!
How long approximately would diluted soap keep?
[…] you can wash your hair too. And your car and your clothes and your toilet and your teeth, the list really does go on. Three times more concentrated than your average liquid soap they can be diluted […]
Will a dash of salt in my warm water, before adding soap to dilute, help with ‘softening’ the water & reduce soap scum effect? I have very hard water….
Hi Lisa,
I’m brand new to Dr. Bonner’s products in the past few days. I’ve read through probably 100 questions and answers, which have been very helpful. I still have a couple questions regarding my hair. I have extremely long, thick. I’m using your Castile liquid almond soap to wash my hair, as well as using your hair rinse. As I’m concerned about the initial transition period, I’m using 2 caps full of rinse mixed with 1 cup of water…. for each side of my head. I have a LOT of hair!! I did experience stinging, so I’m wondering if I used too much or if ACV would be better for me. I think I may try the ACV either way, just as a comparison.
Also, I have a greasy residue, so after reading these posts, I’ll make sure next time that I’m rinsing the soap out very well before using the hair rinse or ACV. My hair feels so sticky when I rinse out the soap that it’s difficult to handle it until I get the hair rinse on it, but if I have to I’ll just stand with my head under the water for several minutes. Regarding the hair rinse, though, are there any tips on how to make sure I’m distributing it well enough? The further away from my scalp, the less greasy my hair feels, so I’m wondering if I’m just not getting enough of it into my hair at the scalp. Having such long, thick hair, I don’t know how to saturate it without having to double what I’m using already. And should I be massaging this into my scalp or is just pouring it over my hair good enough? I’ve been able to get about 1/3 of the end length of my hair into the cup, which saturates it, but I’m not sure how well I’m doing with the rest of my hair and it’s difficult to see what I’m doing because the bathroom mirror is totally fogged up by that point 😉
I’m frustrated, but am not going to give up. I’m so glad I read some of the posts before I bought your products or I would’ve ditched them right away. I’m determined to hang in there and to try different methods until I get it right for my hair. Thanks so much for your interaction with your customers. It’s so very, very helpful!!
What does a quart of water mean?
Hi Lisa. I’m interested in using Dr. Bronner’s to handwash my lingerie. How much would you estimate for a sinkful of water? Should I still use vinegar as listed for the washing machine laundry detergent? Thanks!
[…] The best thing about Dr.Bronners is that it also can be used for a bunch of things. They say that it’s the “18 in 1” soap meaning it has 18 different uses, how many soaps can do that? The uses are sorta endless with this soap. Lisa Bronner the Grand Daugther of Dr.Bronner has a list of different ways to use this soap. […]
Hello, I am also one of those people who love, love, love dr bronners soap. My question is : can I dilute the soap with olive oil or coconut oil, and what will the shelf life be?
Why why why did you start mixing your pepperment soup with HEMP a few years ago?
It is not as strong anymore.
Thx
Hi GS – It sounds like you’ve been a customer for a while. Thank you! Back in 2000, after extensive customer trials, hemp seed oil was added as a superfatting ingredient in the soaps, due to overwhelming support for the smoother lather and less drying after feel imparted by its unsurpassed essential fatty acids (EFAs). The fatty acid profile of hemp oil nearly mirrors that of human skin, making it the best option for building up moisture levels in the skin. You may have noticed a viscosity, or thickness, difference in the soaps because of a higher olive oil content, but the soap is just as concentrated as it was before at 39% solid. Absolutely no dilution has occurred. You can determine this by pouring similar quantities of our older conventional and newer organic liquid soaps into separate cups, and observing that exactly the same amount of solid soap is left behind when the water evaporates.
For an overview of “Why Hemp”, check out this post I wrote earlier this year: https://www.lisabronner.com/9-ways-to-use-hemp-oil-in-body-care-and-why-youd-want-to/
Hi Lisa, I tried to wash wood floors following the dilution sheet but traces remain on the floor. Do you have a trick to avoid this?
Thank you!
Hi Marie-Eve – A couple thoughts: Dilute the mop water even more. Wring out the mop more before applying it to the floor so that the mops is damp. Go over the floor with a dry or nearly dry mop afterwards.
I’d start with wringing the mop out more, and then if that doesn’t work, dilute the mop water more.
Hi Lisa!
I wanted to make a safe solution body wash for my daughter (5 yrs. old) using Dr.Bronner’s castile soap. Skimming through the comments I’ve gathered it does not work well in a regular soap bottle? Also if I were to keep it in an old 16 oz. bottle, how long would the “shelf life” be?
Thank you!
Hi Roxanne – It works great in a regular Dr. Bronner’s bottle, but it doesn’t work well in a regular pump. I’m not sure what you meant by a regular soap bottle. If it is undiluted in any container, the shelf life is at least 3 years.
Hello – Do you have a recipe for use in the dishwasher? Thanks!
Hi Lydia – Unfortunately, I don’t recommend our products for use in a dishwasher. We’re working on an organic product that works in dishwashers, but haven’t found the perfect one yet. That being said, you’ll see feedback from other commenters and recipes online that use our soaps in dishwashers. I haven’t tried them yet.
Hi! I need to hand wash some clothes and an eno hammock. What ratio should I do? I was thinking of washing in my bathtub. Thanks 🙂
Hi Rachel – I checked out the ENO FAQ on how to wash their hammocks, and they recommend a mild detergent, which would be our Sal Suds, but the castile soap would also work well. Sal Suds is more concentrated, so you’d need half the amount as for the Castile. In a bathtub, try 2-3 Tbsp. of the Sal Suds, and 1/4 c. – 1/3 c. of the soap.
Thank you for posting this. I find it to be a reliable, easy to follow guide and have referred to it many times.
Great! I’m glad it has helped!
[…] Check out this awesome list of uses and also how much soap to use! DILUTIONS CHEAT SHEET FOR DR. BRONNER’S CASTILE SOAP […]
Hello Lisa. just been reading all the post on this soap, im going to try some. I’m new to this soap i have very bad dry feet. , but i have a question if you would respond. I want to be sure i understand clearly, the question is do i mix this soap with distilled water, to keep it from clogging drains or just make sure i only use a very small drop when i go to use it, or any water flowing over this soap will run through all drains?
Hi Lewis – Welcome! I’m glad you’re going to give us a try. I have never had trouble of any sort with the soap clogging my drains and my water here in Southern California is pretty hard. If you just wet your feet, scrub them with a couple drops of soap and rinse them, your feet and your drains will be in great shape.
Thank you! This is the first soap that hasn’t set off my skin or hair in years.
This soap is recommended to be used for fruit/veggie rinsing which has the potential for trace amounts to be consumed, has this been proven safe?
Hi Annie – We haven’t done animal testing – including people – on the effects of consuming our soaps. We haven’t done animal testing about anything regarding our soaps, which is why we are able to get the Leaping Bunny certification. However, the ingredients in our soaps are all safe if accidentally or unintentionally consumed. The one ingredient that sometimes raises eyebrows is the sodium or potassium hydroxide, which is an ingredient in the making of every true soap ever, but this ingredient is entirely consumed in the soapmaking process. You can read more about that here: https://www.drbronner.com/our-story/legacy/quality-soaps-explained/.
While we’re on the topic of consuming soap, just in case any readers are wondering, we very much recommend that you do not drink a bunch of the soap on purpose. Not because it’s toxic or will poison you, but it might give you some tummy troubles and lead to spending some extra time in the bathroom. You may burp bubbles. And have odd tasting food for a couple days. I feel like I have to say that.
Hello,
I love Dr. Bronner’s bar soap and want to try the new foaming hand soap. Can I use any foam soap dispenser or do I need to use the Dr. Bronner brand? Also, does the 18-1 Hemp Eucalyptus disinfect surfaces?
Thank you,
Lisa
Hi Lisa – Hmm. Well, we don’t actually have a new foaming hand soap. I’m not fully sure which product you’re referring to. With some of the other commenters here I’ve been talking about using the Pure Castile Liquid soaps (which we started with in the 1940’s) in foaming pumps at a dilution of 1:3. We also don’t sell a foaming pump, so if you’d like to try this, you’d have to get a foaming pump somewhere else. I feel like I’m not being very helpful here…
Yes, the Eucalyptus Pure Castile would clear germs off of any surface.
Thank you for your answer!
[…] I credit this find to my best friend Kate, she texted me a photo of the bottle one day when she was shopping and then I made her pick me up 2! Dr. Bronner’s is a pure castile soap that can be used for washing your face, body, as a shaving cream, to wash dishes and clean floors, etc. It has an olive oil base and uses a natural preservative (tocopherols from Vitamin E) so it is less harsh on the skin. Here is an article on how to dilute the soap depending on how you are using it: https://www.lisabronner.com/dilutions-cheat-sheet-for-dr-bronners-castile-soap/ […]
[…] puede encontrar recetas y disoluciones para usar los jabones? En esta web, creada por Lisa Bronner´s encontrarás varias recetas y medidas para las disoluciones. Está en […]
How is this for keeping the fleas off dogs after you wash them in it?
Hi Lorraine – It doesn’t work so much as a repellent as a treatment.
[…] To learn more about the uses and recommended dilutions check here. […]
Hello, I have about a large bottle of the Lavender Castile soap that is about 1/3 full and it seems to have solidified. It is no longer liquid form that will pour out of the bottle…what can I do now? Is there a way to ‘reconstitute’ it?
Hi Coleen – I am always thrilled when I can give an easy answer! All you need is water. Your soap has solidified because the water content has evaporated. In order to keep our soaps as concentrated as possible (reducing customer expense and packaging waste), we keep our soaps just barely liquid at 69% soap. Once the soap gets used a lot, and opened and closed, and generally exposed to air, that water evaporates and leaves behind solid soap. Add a bit – maybe a couple Tablespoons and let it sit overnight. It should be good to go.
Hi Lisa,
I’ve been a fan of the bar soaps for years and just decided to purchase the peppermint liquid soap. I would like to put it in a non-foaming soap pump on my bathroom sink. I scanned your dilution chart but did not see a recommendation there. What do you suggest?
Thanks!
Hi Jonathan – You’ve hit on what is probably the most oft-asked question here. Unfortunately, our liquid castile soaps do not work well in non-foaming pumps. They are too thin and concentrated, squirting out at first and then drying out and clogging the pump. Thickening them would require synthetic ingredients which we are not going to use. For regular pumps, we formulated our Organic Pump Soaps (https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/category/ORGANICPUMPSOAP.html) or use a foaming dispenser for the castile at a dilution of 1:3.
This is the most wonderful I’m in love with it???
Is this soap safe for septic systems? We have very hard well water as well and just wondering if that makes any difference in how we should use your Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap.
Hi Christine – Yes, it is completely compatible with septic systems. My house is on septic as well. We had the soaps analyzed for biodegradability, particularly for grey water systems but the issues are similar for septic, and the soaps all passed with flying colors. If you’d like to see those certifications, email me, lisa@drbronner.com, and I’ll send them to you.
I have been using Bronner’s for probably 15 years now. I’ve been in a rental house for the last 5 years that is on well water and septic. The extremely hard water turns the soap into a greasy slime. It’s clogging the septic tank filter with grease. If we don’t have it professionally cleaned out 2x/year, we have massive backwash while showering or doing dishes or laundry (I’ve only ever used Sal Suds in my HE front-loader, never castile).
I am still the world’s biggest fan of Dr. B’s soap, but it is majorly not good when combined with hard water. Might be fine for the septic tank, but if you can’t get your water soft enough, you will definitely regret using castile soap.
I also use it as a hand wash at the kitchen and bathroom sinks–put in a foaming stray bottle, about 4 units water to one unit dr bronners. Love it!
Hi Lisa!
I’m writing to once again brag about a new experience with Dr. Bronner’s.
I just received my order today, of sal suds and the new lemongrass lime pump soap. I have been waiting patiently to try the new scent and version, so, as soon as I opened the box, I took my lemongrass lime soap to the sink and washed my hands.
Oh! My! Goodness!
One pump of the soap and I’m in love!
But get this… My hands were just so clean, smooth and soft to the touch that I went back a little bit later and washed again, this time taking the soap up to my elbows, because I have been fighting what I thought was Contact Dermatitis on the underside of my forearms for over a year now.
I lathered up to my elbows for just a few seconds, without wetting my skin, just using the water I’d wet my hands with. I then wet a washcloth, wrung it out and wiped my arms to check how easily the soap would rinse. As I expected it rinses perfectly.
So, out of curiosity, I went to the underside of my forearms, where the rash has been, lightly buffed the area for about a minute on each arm with the washcloth, thinking if this version made my hands so nice and soft, maybe it would help to soften the skin on the back of my forearms.
Lisa! Lisa! Lisa! I just can’t believe it and You may not either, but, the rash is 100% GONE!
My elbows are baby’s bottom smooth!
I’ve gone to the mirror and checked again and again and I just can’t believe my eyes!
Oh I wish I had taken video or pictures to send to You! I just did not expect this outcome.
There are no openings on my skin, no marks, no sign whatsoever of the rough, dry, itchy, bumpy rash that I’ve had for so long!
I am just so thankful. And I can’t wait to get into the shower tonite!
I bought the smaller bottle to try out the new scent, which I really like. The lemongrass scent after using twice in an hour, is just the lightest, perfectly clean scent ever! And My skin just feels and smells so fresh and clean.
I’m going over to the website and buying a half gallon bottle. Maybe two. How much does a girl need… 🙂
…. this year for Christmas, My kiddo’s at college and friends will be getting a bottle as part of their gift. Is it wrong if I wait that long to share with others?
Thanks again!
Hi Elizabeth – That is absolutely fantastic! I am so glad you took the time to share this, especially for others who might be facing the same thing. Dr. B’s for the win!
Where do you order this from
Thank you for this post! I have been battling eczema for about a year now, and so far not much has worked, even the creams the doctors have prescribed. I am definitely going to try this! Here’s wishing me happy eczema GONE!
I am a newbie to Dr Bonner’s Castile Soap. Has anyone tried to make a hand sanitizer for purse sized spray bottles? I have just made a dilution of 1/4 tsp. To 3 oz purified water. I also added 8 drops of lavendar oil to the mix. I’m hoping it won’t clog the sprayer and it is strong enough to be somewhat effective. Any advice? Wish me luck!
Hello? What is the ratio for diluting to refill liquid soap dispensers? Thank you
Hi Rebecca – Unfortunately, the classic castile soaps do not work well in pumps. We have tried all manner of pumps and dilutions through the years with little success. Inevitably the soap, which is very concentrated, clogs the pump and either causes it to stop completely or to shoot the soap out sideways or up. We urge customers not to put the pure castile soap in a pump. Rather, keep the soap in its original bottle and use just a drop or two for each hand washing. This is one of the reasons, though, that we formulated our new Shikakai soaps for pumps. They do not encounter the same problems, and come in a pump bottle.
[…] it prior to use but keep in mind the shelf life drops and needs to be used up relatively quickly. HERE is the cheat sheet for proper […]
My 12 year old daughter has seborrhea dermatitis on her scalp. Her hair is also very oily. It’s like extreme cradle cap. It was suggested that I try Dr. Bronner Castile soap on her hair in combination with coconut oil. I bought the Peppermint Castile. Do I still need to dilute?
Hi Lori – I’m sorry to hear what your daughter is dealing with. That’s very frustrating. Depending on how irritated and sensitive your daughter’s scalp is, the Peppermint might be too intense for her, or it might be the intensity that she needs. If it isn’t the right one for her, I recommend the Tea Tree Pure Castile soap. Tea Tree has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that may help alleviate the symptoms of seborrhea dermatitis. For my recommendations on hair washing, check out my personal story in the post: https://www.lisabronner.com/from-shampoo-to-soap-%E2%80%93-my-story/. For my long hair, I use about 1/2 Tbsp. of soap. You can adjust that for your daughter’s hair type and length. Coconut oil is a great scalp treatment. A little goes a long way. Too much, and her hair may look oily even after it is dry. With using the coconut oil, you may or may not need the follow up acidic hair rinse I discuss in the shampoo post. If her hair feels tacky or is tangled after washing with the soap, use a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse to smooth things out. Again, though, if she has broken skin on her scalp, the soap and the vinegar will sting.
I hope some of this helps!
Hi, I would like to use the soap for hand washing. I have a regular hand soap bottle (not foam) I would like to use. What dilution ratio would you recommend? Thanks!
Hi Angey – Unfortunately, our liquid Pure Castile soaps do not work well in a traditional pump dispenser. The water content that keeps the soap liquid will eventually evaporate in the pump, leaving solid soap behind which will clog the pump. Before it clogs the pump completely, the partial clog will cause soap to squirt out in unexpected directions and generally make a mess. Instead, we formulated our Organic Pump Soaps (with moisturizing Shikakai extract) that work great in traditional pumps.
I find that the castile works well in the foamers with no clogging. I just use the directions for dilution that come with the foamer
I use a glass foam soap dispenser. I have one near every sink in my home. I use the Dr. Bronner’s with filtered water and essential oils.
Lisa…
Will the Shikakai soaps work in a foaming dispenser and would or can they be diluted(cost cutting) when using them for such a purpose? Thanks kindly…
Otherwise it looks like I can use the castile soap, but I was thinking the moisturizing qualities of the Shikakai might be nice in the setting where these dispensers would be used(Waldorf public charter school in Idaho).
Thanks…cheers,
Miles
Actually, it works just fine in some soap pump dispensers (even those which aren’t foam pumps), it just depends. I have one pump dispenser in the kitchen that never clogs. I have a different one in the bathroom that will clog about once per month, and it’s very easy to unclog. You can use any kind of needle or similar item to swab the mouth of the dispenser (I simply straightened out a paper clip and that works fine to reach in there) and clear out the thickened soap that’s clogging it, and then you’ll be fine for about another month.
I prediluted 1:10 as directed for hand washing dishes. am I not supposed to squirt it into the dishpan but use only on a scrub brush? I like using a wash cloth for dishes. so if I squirt on brush, it requires squirting more on brush as you go through the pile of dishes? I’m beginning to see that squirting it into a dishpan of water is diluting it way too much. Is there a substitute dilution if I want to squirt it into a dishpan of hot water?
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne – There are so many different factors here – the greasiness of the dishes, the hardness of the water, the number of dishes… The 1:10 ratio I mention is meant for keeping in a bottle beside the sink for if you’re just washing one pot, let’s say. If you want to do a whole sink full of dirty dishes, I’d fill the sink with water and then squirt in maybe a tablespoon or so of soap. Adjust it more or less for what works best in the situation so that the dishes are getting clean without wasted soap.
From another web-site :
“FYI. My husband loves dr bronner soap for showers. Says it helps small cuts and sores heal. However, to his horror he thought the drain was plugging up and inside he found that the soap was caking hard as concrete. He had a terrible time getting it out. Wouldn’t recommend it for your washer. It doesn’t have an anti caking ingredient like most liquid soaps. The same thing happened when I put some in an empty hand soap dispenser. Plugged up!”
I personally have a hard time believing this, but I don’t want to be clearing my drains constantly and I certainly don’t want to “break” my HE front-loading washer!! 🙁
Help??
Hi there – Hmm. This isn’t a scenario I’ve run across. In order for the soap to cake up in the drain, it would pretty much have to be pure soap with no water going down the drain, which wouldn’t happen in a typical showering scenario. However, this is exactly what happened when the writer says “I put some in an empty hand soap dispenser”. This is because the water content in the soap which keeps in liquid evaporates, turning the soap into a solid which would clog the pump. This is why we recommend against using the liquid Castile soaps in a traditional pump dispenser.
I think you’d have much greater peace of mind if you used Sal Suds in the HE washer. If I had an HE washer, that’s what I would use. It is exceedingly clean rinsing and you’d only need 1-2 Tbsp per load.
Can I use castile soap to spot clean carpet?
Hi Marilyn – Although I go to the Sal Suds for carpets, the Castile works as well. In this post I discuss using the Sal Suds, but you can use the All Purpose Castile spray instead: https://www.lisabronner.com/cleaning-carpets-with-sal-suds/.
Hi Lisa
I have just bought the foam pump bottles for transfer as my Daughter uses up the soap undiluted very quickly.
My concern is, will dilution in a foam pump bottle affect the efficacy and shelf life of the product?
What water should be used, distilled, boiled, purified or alkalined?
Hi there – I recommend a 1:3 (or 25%) soap solution for foaming pumps. Some sort of purified water works best such as distilled or R.O. – something with no mineral content. At this strong of a concentration, the solution should be shelf stable for at least 6 months. You’ll probably use it up before then.