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.
[…] soap, household cleaning and bathing your dog. 🙂 Make sure to dilute it, though. Here is a cheat sheet for how to do that (I dilute the soap for washing the dog in a plastic container before I pour it […]
Hi,
I have same question as Bella on January 16, can I add essential oil blends or for instance other scents like lemon grass to Dr Bronners? Do I use the unscented one?
Yes! I’m sorry I didn’t respond to Bella earlier. This is a great way to create your favorite scented soap. Add whatever blend of essential oils you like to the unscented Castile. You may find that the essential oils float on top of the soap, but a little shake of the (closed) bottle will blend them in.
Hi
Can you advice on adding essential oil blends to Dr Bronners soaps to do relaxing blends( with the lavender soap), uplifting with ( the peppermint soap) ?
I’d like to use Dr Bronners sops for the base soap.
Thanks
Hello,
I noticed on the label it says there is potassium hydroxide included which is “essentially” non detectable once the soap is created. Because this is corrosive to metal, copper and etc is placing it on the skin still safe in the levels in this soap? Is it actually removed or is it just really well blended in? Do you offer products without this included?
Love Dr. Bronner’s
I have read so many great things about Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap and amongst many things, making your own foaming hand soap. With a little one potty training and washing hands very often, I have been giving this a try with little luck. What’s odd is that sometimes it feels squeaky clean on my hands and majority of the time, it feels like my hand is still greasy while washing with it. Please advise. I’ve been using the unscented baby one with no luck. I try adding more soap, diluting it with more water and even attempted the 2 tbsp to 12 oz water mixture to no avail. Wanted to try asking here in hopes for some advice before giving up on Castile soap. Thank you in advance.
I use a foaming pump dispenser with a mixture of 1 part soap to 3 parts water and it works great! Hope this helps.
HI, Lisa,
when I wash dishes, I put the diluted soap on the sponge/cloth. The sponge/cloth feels oily and my hands feel oily from the sponge/cloth. Utensils feel oily too. then I need to wash my hand with soap. the hands feel ok. why? please advise.
We use Dr. Bronner’s for all of our dishes and we clean a lot of dishes. When using the plant based products you may find that it leaves a little residue behind. This residue is not harmful and one of the side effects of using plant based cleaners. Using natural cleaners takes some getting used to when you make the switch. They are different. You may eat or drink from the dishes as usual with no harmful effects. Unlike other chemical detergents which may leave residue you cannot see but is harmful to your health, Dr. Bronner’s castile soaps are safe to ingest, and breath in. When you wash your dishes the particles are released into the air and you breath it in as well as the particles land on your surfaces. This is why natural products are recommended versus the chemicals in the usual store brands. It is also very cost effective when bought in bulk. We never have to worry about animals getting poisoned by the chemicals or children having adverse reactions. We hope this helps.
I’ve not tried Dr Bronner on dishes as of yet, but like my dishwasher, the water hardness/softness makes a difference. I have hard water in my home and I ALWAYS add several tbsp of salt before I start cycle and it makes a HUGE difference in how clear they come out. If I forget salt, the glasses are filmy, as are all the “clear” plastics – it’s really obvious.
Other stuff I’ve read about using the vinegar after shampoo rinse, I’m going to guess that either a Salt or Vinegar rinse might help your dishes.
[…] so versatile! I mostly use it as liquid handsoap (by diluting with water), but here’s a list of 18 common uses. I’ve found cheaper prices at my local grocery stores, but there might be some deals online! […]
[…] Don’t you just love to save money? Plus, you can use your liquid castile soap for so many other things. […]
[…] soap on our puppies as well instead of using dog shampoo. For other dilutions and options, this is a great resource […]
Thanks for that. My mother in law uses more than one bottle a week on dishes…. I can finally show her how wrong it is hahaha!
It was suggested to use Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby-Mild Castile Liquid Soap to wash baby bottle an pump parts. Put soap in hot water and soak for 5 mins to remove milk residue. I’d like to make a pump bottle that I just put a few squirts in the sink and soak. What ratio should I use?
I used a squirt (maybe a teaspoon) for a whole sinkful, with hot water. When the water gets colder take them out.
[…] Head composting toilet. It’s also great for mopping*, laundry, and dozens of other uses. Click here for dilution […]
Hi,
What does Dr Bronners put in their Shikaki soaps so that they won’t clog dispensers? Can I do it myself (add ingredients) to their peppermint soap?
My husband is hooked on the peppermint, we have bottles all over the place, clogged up and the tops off and etc…
I’ve tried to get him to use the kind that comes in a dispenser and doesn’t clog, but he likes the peppermint and that is that.
Thanks
HI Anne – We’ve tried adding myriad things to the castile soaps to get them to work in regular dispensers. It just doesn’t. It always clogs. However, foaming pumps are a different story. Use a ratio of one part soap to three parts water (or play around with that ratio until you like the results).
[…] For real enthusiasts Dr. Bronner suggests using their Pure-Castile Soap to clean your house and the body. Face, body, hair – food, dishes, laundry, mopping, and even pets! For recommended dilutions: Liquid Soaps Dilutions Cheat Sheet. […]
For god’s sake, Dr. Bronner’s makes actual toothpaste. Only an idiot would use soap on their teeth.
@ Maureen Bensanko- The almond castille is made with almond oil (the scent is natural) so it’s not nut allergy safe. Baby mild is great, so it tea tree and the peppermint is always a favorite.
Actually, the almond soap is made with cassia oil, which is still completely natural. Almond oil contains trace amounts of cyanide, so we decided not to go that route. However, its cousin, the cassia tree, has a remarkable almond-y smell.
[…] Bronner has a wonderful blog and she made a Dilution Cheat Sheet for the Castile Soap that you can reference. For Easy printing the PDF Cheat Sheet is […]
I was hoping to find the dilution per ounces. I like to pre-dilute the castille soap in used shampoo bottles. It would be nice if you could chart it out like 1quarter cup Dr.Bron. per “such & such ounces for shampoo/hand soap. We go through these soaps quickly & I am trying to do the math to see the cost comparison of using Dr.Bron.’s vs. buying shampoo & hand soap. Maybe I’ll need to experiment myself. But I was hoping to save time if someone else has an idea of how many ounces are needed for say, a 16 0z bottle of shampoo or 10 oz bottle of hand soap?
That is a great idea. I will look into adding that to the Cheat Sheet. Just off the top of my head, I would say that I use 1/4 of an ounce per shampooing with the castile, which would be 64 uses from a 16 oz bottle. If I were using conventional shampoo, I would guess I’d use an ounce since I have pretty long hair at the moment (It’s been a while since I’ve used anything but the castile, so this is a guess), which would mean 16 uses from a 16 oz bottle. Does that help?
I’ve been using this soap for 35 years!!My face and body feel great. Here’s a rush: a hot sauna, and then a shower with the peppermint soap-WOW
Sounds great, Terri! Better than coffee, and that’s saying a lot coming from me!
[…] you want to find more uses for a bar of soap, check out this cheat sheet from Lisa Bronner about soap dilutions. She refers to liquid soap, but dissolving bar soap makes […]
[…] other things. A little goes a long way. For a how-to and dilution ratio help, this list from the Dr. Bronner website will help. It comes in many different scents and unscented. The last time I checked, Costco carried […]
Can the liquid peppermint soap be used as a mice repellent?
I think you would have better luck with pure peppermint essential oil, unless you do need to clean the surfaces. I’ve heard of putting a few drops of peppermint oil on a cloth and putting wherever the mice are getting in, if you can figure that out. They don’t like peppermint.
Hi There!
Does anyone know if its safe to use Dr. Bronners soap in the dishwasher?
Can anyone share a dilution recipe for that?
Thanks, Cari
Hi Cari – I haven’t had success with it in the dishwasher. In fact, it was quite the reverse and the castile soap left a good film on all my glasses. However, I haven’t really tackled this problem, and I’ve seen quite a few recipes online that use Dr. Bronner’s with other ingredients and people say they work. I haven’t tried it though. If you give it a shot, let me know your success. Or non-success.
I’ve used about 1 to 2 drops of peppermint and it work well for me in the dishwasher, but I also rinse my dishes before they go in the dishwasher. So the worst that could happen is that it would be a hold lot of hot water sterilizing the dishes.
If I want my clothes to smell like the delicious rose castile soap will the vinegar wash that scent away? As of now I hand wash things that I want to have that slight scent but I want to know how that would work with laundry.
There isn’t much scent left afterwards with vinegar. Instead, try putting a couple drops of an essential oil on a cloth and putting that in your dryer with the load.
These soaps are the beat I ever had or use for everything I mean e