Category
Living Lightly

My Cleaning Cabinet

My Cleaning Cabinet

Updated May 2020 – Because it’s been 8 years since I first published this and things have only gotten simpler.

Here’s what all the housecleaning info on my blog boils down to: in this cabinet are assembled all the recipes, recommendations, ingredients and tools I’ve ever mentioned.

Often I take stylized pictures for the blog – or have a better photographer take them (see above) – simply because they’re prettier and more fun. However, for this, I thought it would be more honest and more helpful if I showed you my actual cleaning cabinet, albeit slightly tider than normal so you can see everything. It lacks picturesque, matching spray bottles, because that’s not what I use. I hope you can tell that this is real. I clean my house with what you see here.

Before I dive into an item-by-item inventory, check out one bit of ingenuity of which I’m particularly proud: those repurposed Dr. Bronner’s quarts! This works for the 16 oz. bottles, too. Happily, the neck sizes on these two sizes are the same size as standard spray bottle triggers, which you can purchase online. Voilà! Instant spray bottle! Be sure to label them so you know what’s in them!

My Cleaning Cabinet
This is my actual cleaning cabinet.

Bottom shelf (left to right) ingredients:

  • Tea Tree Essential Oil for when I want to up the cleaning power of my dilutions. Tea Tree is a natural antimicrobial.
  • Vinegar is a natural acid that acts as a degreaser and solvent. It is a versatile cleaner for windows and mirrors, soap scum, fabric softener, hard water rinsing. I buy it in bulk gallons
  • Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that is useful for scouring surfaces and combating soap scum. It also is a deodorizer and whitener for laundry. I also buy this by the 13+ pound bag.
  • Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap seen here in 5 different scents to match my mood, the weather, or just to have fun. Soap cleans, whether it’s our bodies or our houses. It removes grime and germs. The Castile Soap can be diluted for myriad around-the-house purposes. I keep it around in bulk gallons to refill my solutions and smaller bottles in my bathrooms for personal care. In “My Favorites” you can read which scent I use for what, at least until I mix them up!
  • Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner is the other powerhouse of my cleaning repertoire. More concentrated and slightly more powerful than Castile, the Sal Suds, as a mild detergent, is immune to hard water. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways: laundry, mopping, counters, dishes, outdoors, indoors, everywhere.

Top shelf (left to right):

  • Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen LoganMy cleaning mentor. It will guide you where you want to go.
  • Glass cleaner – Half vinegar/half water.
  • Sal Suds All-Purpose Household Spray – 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) Sal Suds in a quart (1 L) of water (10-20 drops tea tree oil, optional). My house cleaning heavy hitter.
  • Castile Soap All-Purpose Spray – ¼ c. (60 mL) Castile Soap in a quart (1 L) of water (10-20 drops tea tree oil, optional). Lately, I’ve been reaching for this more than my Sal Suds because of invading ants.
  • Earth ScrubTM aka GIY Soft Scrub made with baking soda, Castile Soap, water, and vinegar. Read the recipe and watch the demo before giving it a try. This soft scrub makes cleaning fun.
  • Scouring Powder which often is nothing more than pure baking soda, but sometimes I get a little fancy and add my favorite essential oils. I keep it in a repurposed bulk plastic spice jar. This is fabulous on my stainless steel kitchen sinks and getting soap scum in the bathroom sinks. Scouring my kitchen sink with baking soda is like therapy for me: all the marks disappear like they were never even there.
  • Variety of brushes – Good tools make all the difference. Large brushes, small brushes, super stiff grout brushes, all kid-friendly brushes. Don’t skimp on the tools.
  • Microfiber cloths – These cloths are slightly grippy and lint free which makes them great for polishing shiny surfaces and picking up dust. Reusable and versatile. For concerns about sloughing off nano-particles, wash them in the Guppyfriend bag.
  • Washable microfiber wood floor mop pad (on top of cloths) – Toss it in the washer after each mopping and air dry. Excellent. (I have a larger microfiber string mop that doesn’t live in my cleaning cabinet. It’s also washable.)
  • Squeegee – For windows and mirrors. Plus one in each shower to wipe down glass doors after showering, reducing mineral build up. With squeegees, you get what you pay for – buy the good one.
My Cleaning Cabinet

Doors:

  • Dilution Cheat Sheets: Posting these two Cheat Sheets for Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds and Castile Liquid Soaps on the cabinet doors means there’s no need to go look up recipes when I’m in the throes of cleaning and risk losing my mojo.

That is it. It is not fancy. It is not expensive. It is not time-consuming. This keeps my house clean without dangerous fumes or residues on surfaces. My kids can use all this without concern for impacts on their systems. If some wayward toddler or high energy labrador (neither of which I have) were to get into this cabinet, there is very little chance for harm. That’s a lot less to worry about.

Further reading

Sal Suds cleaner shows >60% biodegradation after 28 days per ISO 14593

Download Now!

Castile Soap Cheat Sheet

Dilute! Dilute! OK! But how much? Print this guide!

DOWNLOAD

Download Now!

Sal Suds Cheat Sheet

Sal Suds, Sal Suds, How do I love thee?

DOWNLOAD

Leave a Reply to Martin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Bonnie says:

Thank you Lisa.

I think I also read that you said Sal suds should not be mixed with vinegar. I’ve been using them mixed for cleaning the shower walls and tub. Should I be using both but separately?
Vinegar for soap scum.
Thank you so much for helping me.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Bonnie – Yes, I would switch to using them separately. Mixing vinegar with Sal Suds does not create the same gunky reaction as mixing vinegar with Castile soap, but the vinegar still impedes the cleaning action of the Sal Suds. Best to use them separately. Spray the vinegar for the soap scum, let it sit, rinse it down, then spray with the Sal Suds All Purpose Spray and give it a scrub.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Bonnie – Sure! This one works with a clamp handle and is machine washable. I bought it at a Lowes or Home Depot type store. (I can’t remember which as it was a while ago. These last a long time!)

Sierra says:

Just printed my cheat sheets! Have you found good spray nozzles that don’t leak or break after a few uses? I’ve had no luck and the ones I recycle don’t work long. Perhaps, it’s the essential oils damaging the plastic I thought. If you can add a link to ones you recommend I’d greatly appreciate it! All One!

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Sierra- I buy for function rather than looks and often pick them up at hardware stores or online. Choose one that’s high quality, and one in which the neck of the nozzle is longer than the trigger.

Dawn Palmby says:

Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the great tips! I’m allergic to so many thing so Dr bronner’s is my go to for everything! Lavender Castille is amazing and although not a cleaner, the citrus organic hair rinse is my love! It’s hard to find in canada but I ordered 4 bottles from the Dr. Bronners website which cost me about as much as the shipping but totally worth it, it’ll probably last around year!!

Sierra says:

I love the citrus hair rinse also! I recycled a soap pump bottle and premixed some up with water. I’ve been finding my husband leaving the cap off the hair rinse, I know he loves the smell! Just reminded him it’s concentrated and to please dilute it! 😛

Lisa Bronner says:

I assure you, it’s not usually this neat and tidy!

Bonnie says:

I’m curious about what you use as a disinfectant nowadays because of covid. I read about alcohol and peroxide and get confused as to which to use when. Forget bleach, my lungs can’t stand it.
I use Sal Suds for my all purpose cleaner and do add a bit of tea tree oil.
I’ve pretty much copied your cleaning cabinet.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Bonnie- Unless someone is sick, I do not regularly disinfect my surfaces. This is per the CDC’s recommendation (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html) as unnecessary disinfecting can reduce the efficacy of disinfectants and unnecessarily expose us to more intense chemicals. However, when disinfecting is called for, either alcohol between 60%-90% spray surface and let air dry – or hydrogen Peroxide, if bought at the standard pharmacy concentration of 3%, diluted with water at a ratio of 1:5 – let sit for 1 minute. Alcohol smells worse but hydrogen peroxide can bleach some surfaces, so spot test before deciding which to use first.

Cathie says:

Thank you so much for this wonderful and most honest and most caring Sharing! It is the best news and household help that I have heard in days !

Martin says:

thank you so much Lisa for sharing all of this it is quite as you could have and inspiring thank you God bless you peace on connerton of New England and New Hampshire parks

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Martin- I’m so glad you found this information helpful!

Amanda says:

Hi Lisa! I see your solutions work for ants and other home intruders. Would the castille or Sals suds diluted spray work on pets (cats) to rid them of fleas?

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Amanda- The Castile soap is only effective on fleas when it is wet. It does not have a residual impact. For bathing cats, we recommend our Unscented Castile Soap as it’s free of essential oils, which can be harmful to cats. Washing your cat’s bedding with Castile soap and vacuuming often and well also help. If needed, discuss long-term flea prevention with your vet.

Iiesha says:

Hello!

I know you mention both Sal Suds and Castile soap for cleaning. I wanted to know if I were to only buy one which of the 2 products can clean my whole house?

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Iiesha- Both will clean you’re house beautifully. However, if you have hard water you might prefer the Sal Suds. A true soap, like the Castile, interacts with minerals in hard water which can leave a white residue behind. Sal Suds does not have this reaction. For a deeper dive into the difference between the two, see my blog post, Sal Suds or Castile Soap – Which One Should You Use? (https://www.lisabronner.com/sal-suds-or-castile-soap-which-one-should-you-use/)

Roslyn Albert-Sandronsky says:

Hello,

I am trying to rid my home of bugs that I believe to be silverfish. They have been difficult to get rid of, even with a pest control service. Could I use any one of Dr. Bronner’s soaps/cleaners in my kitchen cabinets to deter these pests?

I look forward to your response. Thank you

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Roslyn- A bug spray made with 1/4 c. (60 mL) of your favorite Castile soap and 1 quart (1L) of water will tackle silverfish, ants and other insects. Spray them with this solution. Do not use this concentration on plants though, as it will burn them. If possible, find their point of entry and seal it, or at least surround it with pure essential Peppermint Oil (use a Q-tip to apply it directly to their entry.

Iiesha Mosby says:

Soooo glad to stumble across your page!! I think I’ve spent my entire day on here lol!! I want to be able to:

Wash clothes
Clean bathrooms
Clean kitchens
CLEAN MY ENTIRE HOUSE

Between Sal Suds and Castile Soaps which would you suggest I purchase that will work for all of my needs?

Lastly can I use apple cider vinegar or does it need to be regular vinegar?

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Iiesha- I’m so glad you found me! Personally, for the uses you mention, I would go for the Sal Suds. It’s slightly m ore effective, especially when it comes to washing clothes, and you need less of it because it’s even more concentrated than the Castile. This post might also help you navigate between them: https://www.lisabronner.com/sal-suds-or-castile-soap-which-one-should-you-use/. Regarding apple cider vinegar, you can use it, but there’s no particular benefit over white vinegar, and it’s generally more expensive. However, if that’s what you have, or what you prefer, it works for all the same things. Only use the filtered ACV. The unfiltered or raw ACV could leave residues on things.

Michèle says:

Hi Lisa — the link to the GIY soft scrub doesn’t work. Do you have a link that works? Thank you!! ❤️

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Michèle- Thanks for letting me know! The link has been fixed.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Morgan- We don’t recommend it. Our soaps are too bubbly and bubbles can leak through the seals. I know some people use our soaps in the dishwasher, but I’ve not had any luck doing so.

Cheryl Green says:

Enjoyed reading your page and comments. I am looking for a good biodegradable floor cleaner that I can use for porous floor tiles (not my choice), they are terrible to keep clean. I would like the same cleaner to be used on my wood floors. Is this possible with Sals Suds? Thank you for your help.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Cheryl- I hesitate at the word porous, because that means it’s going to absorb whatever is put on it. However, I think a super diluted Sal Suds dilution would work. Sal Suds is biodegradable and would work on wood as well. Although I usually recommend ½ tsp per gallon, perhaps go with half of that.

Jessica Gilchrist says:

This is great!! I’m 21yo and living with roommates – we never knew what to use to clean things. Always found it super confusing. This simplifies everything. Thanks 🙂

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Jessica- Excellent! It’s great to hear you and your roomies found this helpful!

Tori Gregory says:

I’ve been reading your blog for over an hour now (nearly every article) and I’m very excited to simplify my cleaning routines. Where do I purchase the 1g of Sal Suds? The website only has the 16oz bottle available. Thank you in advance.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Tori – I’m so glad this has been inspiring! The webstore should be restocked tomorrow, per a conversation I just had, but if not check back regularly. You can also find it elsewhere online if you search “Sal Suds gallon.” We’re still increasing production capacity to catch up with the recent surge in demand. It’s been wild. I know it’s frustrating as a consumer. Please bear with us.

LaTonya says:

I noticed your posts mention the Castile soap will repel against insects. Does this include lizards and/or wasp nest?

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi LaTonya- Castile Soap is not a repellent, but rather it eliminates insects that it comes into contact to. It’s only effective when wet, and I don’t think it will impact lizards. Theoretically, the spray would probably stop wasps, but again, it would only work when wet, and it would have to be a direct hit. A mist around them wouldn’t be effective. My concern is that in the process of trying to hit them, you might get them mad and riled up, and this method could seriously backfire. Contact a pest control company for more assistance.

Jeffrey Potocnik says:

How do you use Pure Castile Soap in a hand soap dispenser, we have problems with it not coming out of the dispenser properly, it squirts in different ways?

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Jeffrey- We don’t recommend using our soaps in a regular pump dispenser. Even diluted, the soap tends to clog and squirt out in unexpected directions. It works fabulously in foaming pump dispenser though. Dilute the soap at a ratio of 1 part soap to 3 parts water. This seems to work great and doesn’t create issues with clogging that using undiluted soap would.

Vijay A says:

Hello ,

I see discussions around insects and spiders. Do you have suggestions for Silver fish with any of these cleaners you have listed.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Vijay- A bug spray made with 1/4 c. (60 mL) of your favorite Castile soap and 1 quart (1L) of water will tackle silverfish, ants and other insects. Spray them with this solution. Do not use this concentration on plants though, as it will burn them.

Jocelyn Mercado says:

Hi Lisa,
I am looking for a DAILY shower cleaner recipe. I saw another blog post saying to add hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. But since you are the expert, I thought I would ask you first 🙂

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Jocelyn- You would not want to add either to the Castile soap, but a daily spray of the shower walls with diluted vinegar is a good way to cut down on soap scum. You can scent the vinegar if you would like by soaking some citrus peels in it. Hydrogen peroxide, on certain surfaces, can have a bleaching effect, so I don’t recommend that across the board, although it is very useful in certain situations.

Angela says:

I have been using 4 oz Sal Suds w/ water (24 oz) in spray bottle for my shower. I have porcelain tile on some walls, glass on other walls & marble floor. Please recommend what to use on a daily basis for soap scum that’s ok with all of these surfaces. Thank you!

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Angela- My thoughts go first to the marble flooring which will determine what type of cleaner you can use on everything else. Whatever you use on the walls will run across the floor. The marble is the softest of the surfaces you’ve mention and the most easily marred. Marble is sensitive to any acidic cleaner, so that rules out vinegar. If you are cleaning the walls daily, the Sal Suds All-Purpose Spray, made with 1 Tbsp. Sal Suds in a quart of water, is your best option. Spray and wipe or squeegee the surfaces.

Becky Whaley says:

Thank u so much Lisa for the information!!!! I love, love your sal suds & following your blog!!😊

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Teresa- I don’t have a particular product or brand to recommend, but do suggest referring to the Guide to Healthy cleaning on The Environmental Working Group website (ewg.org). They rank products based on ingredients, impact on the environment, and such.

Ellen Kerley says:

I love your products have used them for 40 years and love that I am also learning more ways to use them – I would ask that you recommend cotton cleaning cloths – maybe old cotton clothes cut up but micro fiber fabrics are very bad for the environment- clogging up water ways with those tiny micro fibers that are now every where -organic Cotton even better- best regards Ellen

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Ellen- It’s always great to hear from long-time customers! Repurposing fabrics into cleaning cloths is an excellent thing to do. Unfortunately there is no ideal material as even cotton is a super intensive crop to grow as far as chemicals (if not organic), water, and labor. Washing microfiber in the GuppyFriend (https://www.patagonia.com/product/guppyfriend-washing-bag/GP001.html) is a great way to prevent the shedding of nanoparticles.

Becky Whaley says:

Hi lisa, I just recently bought your sal suds! I love it!!! It’s amazing!! My question is how can I buy it by the gallon and how much does it cost?? Thank you so much!

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Becky- Gallon-sized Sal Suds can be purchase from select natural grocers. We also typically carry that size in our webstore (https://shop.drbronner.com/), but due to the high demand for Sal Suds right now, all sizes are currently out of stock.

Rachelc says:

Using the Dr B bottles is an excellent idea. Empty spray cleaner bottles are hard to find right now other than on the big A. I also have some flip it caps that might do in a pinch, although obviously not as effective as spraying.

Sheri says:

You are way awesome! I just got the almond Dr Bronner castile soap.. oh my so good!! Love you AND your dad what a God sent💖 ? though… why vinegar in cycle rinse? Do you need to do the rinse if you use wool dryer balls?

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Sheri- Our family loves the Almond Castile soap too. If you have hard water, I recommend using vinegar in the rinse cycle. A true soap, like Castile Soap, reacts with minerals in hard water and over time can cause fabrics to lose their absorbency and softness. Vinegar in the rinse cycle counteracts this reaction.

Anne Sullivan says:

I this time of Covid I’ve been adding 1/2 cup of vodka to my 16oz spray bottle in which I do 1 tbsp sal suds and drops of essential oil. I spray down handles and doors at night and give it 10 minutes before I wipe it off. I get 1.75 liter of vodka from Costco for $12 and it goes a long way! Also I bought foaming soap glass dispensers before the pandemic and refill them all the time with whatever Castille soap I have on hand. When our local stores were out of hand soap I felt very smug having a solution that I knew would last for months and months. Plus I am don’t mind at all when my twin toddlers cover their hands with soap, they think it’s so fun!

Trinity says:

Hey! I just finished my first bottle of castile soap and loved how efficient it was at cleaning both myself and my home. Can I recycle the bottle and the top on the bottle? Just want to make sure I dispose of it properly. Thank you for all the wonderful blog posts by the way, they are so helpful!

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Trinity- Yes, our bottles are recyclable. It’s recommended to leave the cap on the bottle when recycling. Also know that we use 100% post-consumer recycled PET plastic bottles for most of our liquid soaps, and we participate in bottle-to-bottle recycling—the recycling of used plastic bottles into new bottles, which helps conserve virgin resources and reduces landfill.

Kat CARPENTER says:

Lisa- this GREAT. I love the repurposing of the 16oz and adding spray nozzles!
Question: what do you keep at your kitchen sink for routine dish washing, counters, etc.?

I’m a huge fan of Sal’s suds- I use it for dishes… And I’m looking for suggestions for container style and ratios/mixtures and what not for my everyday at my kitchen sink usage.

Thanks for keeping it REAL!

Lisa Bronner says:

Thanks, Kat! I’m glad all this is resonating with you. For dishes I keep a bottle of diluted Sal Suds. I just use an old Sal Suds bottle and fill it about ¼ up with Sal Suds and the rest with water. For my counters, I keep a spray bottle of All-Purpose Spray under the sink – either with the Castile Soap (1/4 c. soap in 1 qt. water) or Sal Suds (1Tbsp. Sal Suds in 1 qt. water).

Lori Deal says:

What do you use to disinfect when cleaning with covid-19? This is the only are I am not using green products. let me know if you know of something that is a green product and would work as a true disinfectant as a green product. I clean for a living.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Lori- Dr. Bronner’s soap products are effective cleaners but they are not disinfectants because they do not contain a pesticide and do not kill. Instead our products remove germs, dirt and grime from surfaces. Soaps and detergents works by grabbing on to germs, dirt and grime and washing them away and leaving clean surfaces (or hands!) behind. Disinfectants are chemicals used on hard surfaces and are registered with the EPA. To help prevent the spread of germs on household surfaces, the CDC recommends a two-step process of cleaning then disinfecting. For cleaning, they are recommending a general household cleaner or detergent and water prior to the second step of disinfection. Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soaps and Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner can be made into a household cleaning spray by combining ¼ c. of the Castile OR 1 Tbsp. of the Sal Suds in 1 qt. of water in a spray bottle, with an optional 20 drops of Tea Tree essential oil. For more information on the CDC’s recommended disinfectants, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/get-your-household-ready-for-COVID-19.html

Adrian says:

Hi! Lisa, thanks for updating old posts. I might be a little late but those printable Dilution Cheat Sheets are awesome!!

I’d love to translate it to spanish if you think this would be useful!!

Love your blog and of course Dr. Bronner’s products!!

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Adrian- It was high time to update this post! I’m glad you found it and the cheat sheets helpful. Thanks for the suggestion about a Spanish translation. I’ll look into that.

Carolyn M says:

Any recommendations on scrub brushes for the shower and other cleaning tasks? Any favorite brands? I need to replacement my cheap worn out brushes and would like something sturdy, long lasting, and eco-friendly if possible. TIA

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Carolyn- I just replaced mine with a set of Full Circle scrub brushes. They have wooden handles. I haven’t had them long enough to know about longevity, but they look good so far.

Mary Gillespie says:

I noticed in your earth scrub you put vinegar in it with the Castile soap. I thought this makes an oily or fatty mixture?

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Mary- You’re right – typically vinegar and Castile soap do not mix. In the Soft Scrub, because the baking soda is more readily available than the soap, the vinegar chooses to react with that first. But amounts are important here. Too much vinegar, and it’s going to use up the baking soda and then move on to the soap.

FYI May 01, 2020 – Instagatrix says:

[…] Private, Guided Tours of Rubens, Bruegel & Other Flemish Masters         By Lisa, Dr.Bronner: Updated April 2020 – Because it’s been 8 years since I first published this…         That’s What She Read: What’s not to love about a story with […]

Donna says:

Thanks for sharing your cleaning closet. Would you mind sharing your personal/toiletries closet using Castile soap, etc? I’m trying to figure out how many different mixes I need for shampoo, hand soap, etc.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Donna- Great idea! My first thought is that it would be a super boring picture since I use simple Castile for nearly everything, but now that I think on it, there are a few little extras I keep on hand. I’ll look into it!

Jennifer S says:

IMHO, Dr Bronners Organic Sugar Soap makes an excellent ‘shampoo’.
Then a Vinegar Rinse, using a 1:4 ratio of vinegar to water, adds the necessary acidity to your hair to balance it.

I add several essential oils, just a drop or two of each to both, that help to support your hair.

Been using this combination for many years and my hair is shiny and healthy!!

Laura says:

Hello!
I love the spray bottle tops directly on the Dr. Bronner bottles. Do you ever have a problem with them getting clogged?

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Laura- Those bottles contain my All-Purpose Cleaning Sprays, which are super diluted so clogging isn’t an issue. Repurposing the original soap bottle is a fun way to identify which spray is which. To make these cleaning sprays, mix either 1/4 cup Castile Soap or 1 Tbsp. Sal Suds in quart of water. Great for countertops, appliances – just about anything that can get wet!

Diane Martinson says:

I don’t see any mention on using the Castile soap in foaming pump bottles for hand wash. I’m never sure of how much to use, my daughter says just a few squirts in the 10 oz bottle but I’ve used as much as 1/3 soap, I don’t want to waste soap but I want to use enough considering the virus out there right now so what would be the right amount?
Love your blog!
Diane Martinson

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Diane- I’m glad you find my blog helpful! A ratio of 1 part soap to 3 parts water in the foaming pump is a good starting place. You can add more or less soap to your preference.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Hisako- Both the Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap and Sal Suds can clean fruits and vegetables. You can do this a couple ways: For a single item, put a drop directly on wet produce. Wash and rinse thoroughly. For a big bunch, fill a bowl with water and squirt in either the Castile Soap or Sal Suds until it is slightly sudsy. Dunk produce and wash and rinse.

Patti says:

Lisa,
I am a devotee to Dr. Bronner products. We depend on your products and the information on your blog. Loved your cabinet except for one thing—the microfiber rags. Even if you can wash them in a bag, why risk it. Microfiber is so ubiquitous and so dangerous, we don’t need a natural soap maker promoting it too. I have used old cotton washcloths, towels, tea towels and flour sack towels for cleaning for many years. I never have a problem with lint. I use wool mops and dusters for floors and furniture and Cuban mops with the same old cotton towels and washcloths for mopping floors. Hint, I also recently discovered that cotton washcloths and tea towels work great on my old Swiffer mop. They hook into the little indents as good as Swiffer’s wasteful disposable and microfiber cloths. Please stop promoting microfiber. Sorry for the rampage. Thank you for all the good things you and your blog and Dr. Bronner products give to the world.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Patti- Thanks so much for sharing these great ideas. I will certainly look into them. For your wool mop, are you able to wash that easily? Which type of cloth do you use for mirrors and glass? I love learning more!

Patti says:

Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your reply and interest in my cleaning routine. I have two different wool mops: one made of wool yarn and one made of wool fleece. We don’t have any pets, but I have long hair and shed a lot. I just shake them out in the back yard and pull the hair out by hand. We don’t wear outside shoes inside and we don’t have any kids so our floors get dusty but not very dirty. I dust mop the wood floors daily and clean them with the Cuban mop once a week with a damp rag and diluted Castile soap. I don’t use the wool mops in the kitchen or bath (tile floors). I just mop those daily with either the Cuban or the Swiffer mop and the old washcloth that I had used to wipe down all door handles, light switches, and cabinet pulls (because of the virus). The fleece mop I have washed (when it looked dirty and wouldn’t shake off) in a lanolin soap that came with the mop. But I would imagine Dr. Bonner’s Castile soap wood work as well. I just put some cool water and about a teaspoon of soap in a dishpan and let the mop head soak. Don’t agitate or it will felt. I don’t know if that would be a problem though. Felt would probably clean just as well. I gently squeeze put it back on the frame and hang it outside to dry. The wool yarn type map I would wash the same. Keep in mind that wool is antibacterial and mildew resistant as well as biodegradable.

For windows, I fill a bucket with water and a few drops of Sal Suds. I use an old washcloth dipped in the bucket to wipe them down, squeegee, and use an old tea towel to wipe and get the last of the water. Sometimes I will add vinegar to the water,too. Maybe I don’t have an issue with lint because my rag towels are very old and have been washed many times. For a quick touch up and for mirrors, I uses vinegar in a spray bottle like you and wipe them with old tea towels or flour sack towels.

I am not advocating that cotton is the best solution over microfiber. As you probably know it is the crop that uses the most pesticides. Everything has its issues and I just try to make the best decisions availability and my pocket book will allow. But my rags are very old recycled wash clothes and towels. Why buy new rags or paper towels when you can recycle your torn or stained washcloths or towels? When I replace towels and washcloths (and I try to buy organic now) I repurpose the old ones for rags.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Patti- Thanks so much for sharing all this! Great tips! This is a great guide to anyone setting up or modifying their routine!

Crystal says:

I love my Cuban mop! I use old terrycloth hand towels on mine.

Jennifer S says:

I completely agree, natural fabrics are ALWAYS better than ANY synthetic fabric- why support the chemical industry and the massive amount of pollution they cause and massive amounts of damage that they have done and continue to do to the environment every single day!!!

Charles Morgan says:

I like your products but I was very disappointed to see you buy into the green new deal baloney. All it will do is tear up the economy and make everyone in D. C. wealthier. Are you also a fan of the Marxist Ocasio-Cortez? Are you a fan of Chinese Communism.
Wouldn’t you love living in that “Paradise”; top down enforced government solutions for everything and no or diminished personal freedom, you evil capitalist, you.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Charles- Thank you for sharing your passion on this subject. I reached out to my brother David Bronner whose environmental passion formulates the company’s stance on these issues. Here was his response: I’m sorry to hear of your disappointment. First, I’d like to clarify that our support of the Green New Deal in no way indicates our support of a particular political candidate or party—our support is purely of the policy proposals, and we think those are worthy of consideration regardless of your party affiliation. Second, we view ourselves as proponents of capitalism—but the particular style of capitalism that we espouse is one we call “constructive capitalism.” We think constructive capitalism offers a balanced view of both the market’s potential and its inherent weaknesses. Market forces and businesses are good at a lot of things, but regulations also need to be put in place to prevent their worst excesses and to harness their power for good. Without regulations, businesses are too frequently pressured by shareholders to maximize profits at the expense of people and planet. The result is that workers and the environment are exploited and others are left to foot the bill.

We don’t think the Green New Deal will lead us down the path towards communism, rather we view it as a uniquely American solution to a complex global problem. It brings together government, businesses and individuals to solve problems that threaten the well-being of our citizens. Importantly, it creates good, high wage jobs that will ensure prosperity and economic security for all people of the United States, while investing in the infrastructure and industry of the U.S. in a sustainable way.

Jennifer S says:

Lisa, thank you for posting David Bronners position on The Green New Deal.
We must not support or believe the republican/capitalist/corporate propaganda and talking points.
I support what he said wholeheartedly!!!!

Michael says:

Hello!

Assuming you use the all-purpose mixtures of either the castile or sal suds to clean countertops, is it necessary to rinse at the dilutions given? Thanks!

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Michael- Both Sal Suds and Castile soap, even when diluted, need to be rinsed off for them to really do their job. They work by grabbing on to dirt and germs and then rinsing them away with water. A damp microfiber works great for this step.

Carolyn M says:

Can you help with orange hard water stains? I’ve tried a 1:1 vinegar/water ratio with a little Sal Suds. Let sit, then follow up with baking soda scrub. I can’t budge these stains! Can you help? Thanks and I LOVE all of Bronner’s products.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Carolyn- Give hydrogen peroxide a try. This can bleach surfaces, so perhaps do a spot test first. Let it sit on the surface for a bit, and then scrub.

Monica Sahlberg says:

Can i use 18-1 hemp baby unscented pur castle soup to my laundry. I wounder because i am very allergic. And of, how musch ?

Monica Sahlberg says:

Hi again! Can i use it without vinegar?
Regards Monica

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Monica- Castile soap interacts with minerals in hard water, causing towels and fabrics to lose absorbency over time. Vinegar counteracts that reaction, keeping fabrics soft and absorbent.

heather miller says:

What do you use in the dishwasher? I’m having a hard time finding a detergent that doesn’t leave a chemical smell and we do have hard water.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Heather- Unfortunately, I don’t have a suggestion for you. We don’t recommend our soaps in the dishwasher. They are just too bubbly and can seep out through the seal. The Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) is a great place to research alternative products. Products are ranked ingredients, impact on the environment, and so on.

Pearl Lo says:

I have found a brand called Puracy made in Austin. I love love a lot of their products. Check them out.

Green Cleaning and Household Harmony | Going Green with a Bronner Mom says:

[…] My Cleaning Cabinet […]

Jenny says:

Hello! Could you help me understand when you would use Sal Sud’s All Purpose Cleaning Spray vs. Castile Soap All Purpose Cleaning Spray? I’m thankful to have your website. Thanks!

Lassie Webster says:

Do you know if animals (cats, dogs) are affected by the smell of the peppermint soap or Sal Suds? Thank you!

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Lassie- Our Castile soaps contains just a 2% concentration of essential oils, which is further diluted when used in cleaning, and then wiped off. I haven’t – or should I say our pets haven’t – had a problem with any of the scented Castile soaps or Sal Suds when cleaning at home.

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Louise- Spiders, like other critters with exoskeletons, would be affected by contact with Castile soap. And they can be deterred by both mint and citrus. Clean the area periodically with a mixture of 1 quart water and 1 Tbsp. Citrus or Peppermint Castile soap. The Castile mixture will only kill them on contact, but the scent will act as an additional deterrent. Spiders are more an indication of other, more problematic pests (like bugs on my tomato plants, which spiders eat), rather than being bad in their own right. Except for the black widows and brown recluses, spiders are not harmful. But that’s not to say they aren’t creepy!

Lily says:

I need your help! I live on a golf course and unfortunately, have field mice. The areas I’ve seen mice presence are under my sink, laundry room , basement and garages. It is so disgusting… it’s winter where I live and I’m expecting a newborn soon… I started using the peppermint about a month ago and really like Dr. Bronner soap and now I have almond, citrus and lavender added to my collection! Please, any suggestions on best diy solution to disinfect those areas and/or keep them away would be greatly appreciated !

Lisa Bronner says:

Hi Lily- Like most animals other than humans, mice can be deterred by mint. To clean those areas, make a housecleaning spray from our Peppermint Castile by diluting 1/4 c. of soap in 1 qt. of water in a spray bottle. You could even buy a small bottle of pure Peppermint Essential oil and add about 10 drops to the spray bottle to increase that lovely minty smell. I’ve also heard of putting a few drops of peppermint oil on a cloth and putting it wherever the mice are getting in, if you can figure that out.

About Lisa Bronner

My grandfather was Dr. Bronner, my family makes soap, and I share ways to use it plus tips on greener living.

Learn about my book, Soap & Soul!

Learn More

Print Now!

Castile Soap Cheat Sheet

Dilute! Dilute! OK! But how much? Print this guide!

DOWNLOAD

Print Now!

Sal Suds Cheat Sheet

Sal Suds, Sal Suds, How do I love thee?

DOWNLOAD