There is a lot of overlap here with the Castile Soap Dilutions Cheat Sheet because the products can often be interchanged. It is largely a matter of personal preference, but the Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner is more clean-rinsing in hard water situations, and is slightly more effective on grease and tough stains. As with the Castile soaps, these recommended dilutions are not set in stone. You may have dirtier stuff, larger sinks, a larger washer, etc., and may need to tweak these amounts to your own situation.
What Sal Suds looks like in my house, from most concentrated to least, left to right: Undiluted gallon for the laundry room; undiluted quart for easy handling when making other solutions, diluted dishwashing squirt bottle, All-Purpose Spray for most things, Sal Suds Lite for windows & less dirty stuff.
Click here to download the Sal Suds Dilution Cheat Sheet.
Sal Suds, Sal Suds, How do I love thee?
I use it for…
Clothes
Towels
Sheets
Halloween costumes
Tile Floors
Carpet
Granite
Painted walls
Painted shelves
Plastic trash cans
Make Up brushes
Dishes
Lunchboxes
Dog bowls
Dog carriers
Dog collars
Windows
Cars
Car leather
Finished wood
Wood cutting boards
Plastic cutting boards
My grill (aka bar-b-que)
Outdoor metal furniture
Outdoor plastic furniture
Plastic toys
Stainless steel appliances
Paint brushes
China
Glass vases
Pottery
Beach balls
Diaper Changing pads
Wicker baskets
Artificial greenery
Painted MDF
Microsuede
Plastic storage bins
Tooth brushes
Tooth brush holders
Porcelain bathroom fixtures – toilet, tub, sink
Metal doorknobs
Plastic light switches and covers
Cork trivets
Rubber oven mitts
Silicone parts of my breast pump
My plastic nasal irrigator
Brita water filter
Plastic cooler
Stainless steel water bottles
Exterior of small kitchen appliances
Nylon tents
Fruits and veggies
This list doesn’t name every possibility but shows that there is very little that can’t be cleaned with the Suds. The long and short of it is, if it’s not on this list, then I probably didn’t think of it. Sal Suds is safe for any surface or material that can get wet (but it’s not meant for people or animals – it can be drying). However, if you have something that’s iffy, do a spot test.
Dilutions:
Laundry: 2-3 Tbsp. (30-45 mL) for a large load in a top loading washer. Optional: For extra whitening/brightening, add ½ c. (120 mL) baking soda to wash cycle and/or 1 c. (240 mL) vinegar to rinse cycle. Halve these amounts for HE washers.
Pretreating Laundry Stains: Pre-measure Sal Suds for load. Apply some or all directly to stain(s). Let sit 30 minutes or more. Add remaining Sal Suds to washer. For lighter stains, spray with All-Purpose Spray (below).
Handwashing Delicates: 1/2 capful Sal Suds in about 1 gallon (4 L) of water. Swish gently. Let soak 10 minutes. Swish again. Rinse with clean water. Gently press out excess water with a towel. Hang clothing or lay flat to dry.
All-Purpose Spray: 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) Sal Suds in a quart (1 L) of water. Hint: Put water in the bottle first. Optional: For extra antimicrobial punch, add 1/4 tsp. (1.25 mL) tea tree essential oil. Use on any surface that is safe in contact with water.
Sal Suds Cleaner in a Spray Bottle
- Countertops & Tile: Spray and wipe with a damp cloth.
Cleaning Stone with Castile Soap and Sal Suds - Microsuede: Spray and scrub with a gentle circular motion.
Cleaning Microsuede - Wood: Painted or Sealed (not waxed) – Spray and wipe with a microfiber cloth.
Wood: Making It Shine
Stainless Steel Sink: Spray sink with All-Purpose Spray and sprinkle with baking soda from a shaker. Scrub then rinse.
Toilets: For best results, empty toilet. Spray bowl thoroughly with All-Purpose Spray, sprinkle baking soda on the brush, scrub bowl, let sit 10 minutes, turn water on, flush.
Pressure Washer/Carpet Cleaner: In cleaning solution chamber, fill with water and add 1 drop of Sal Suds. Add 1 c. (240 mL) vinegar to rinse water (optional). Use All-Purpose Spray on carpet spots (use sparingly).
Window Wash: (aka Sal Suds Lite) ½ tsp. (2.5 mL) in a quart (1 L) of water. Spray and squeegee. Follow with a spray of pure club soda, or half vinegar/half water, and squeegee.
- Interior: Cleaning Interior Windows and Mirrors
- Exterior: Making Exterior Windows Sparkle
Fruit & Veggie Wash: 1 drop of Sal Suds in a bowl of water. Dunk and swish the produce. Rinse in clear water.
Dishes (Handwashing): 1/2 – 1 1/2 tsp. (2.5 mL) Sal Suds in a large sink of water. Or 1 drop Sal Suds for one pot, more if needed.
- So I don’t use too much, I keep a bottle of diluted Sal Suds by my sink: 1/2 c. (120 mL) of Sal Suds in a quart (1 L) of water. A small squirt in a pot or a larger squirt for a sink.
- With All-Purpose Spray: Using Sal Suds to Clean Dishes
Mopping (Wood, Laminate & Stone Flooring): ½ Tbsp. (7.5 mL) Sal Suds in approximately 3 gallons (12 L) of hot water. 20 drops tea tree oil (optional). Dunk mop (microfiber, preferably) and wring thoroughly. On wood and laminate, avoid excess water and mop up wet areas.
Cars: ½ Tbsp. (7.g mL) Sal Suds in 3 gallons (12 L) of water for exterior. Use All-Purpose Spray on interior surfaces and leather seats. Wipe with damp cloth.
Patio Furniture: 1/2 Tbsp. (7.5 mL) Sal Suds in a bucket of warm water. Wash with sponge, microfiber cloth or stiff brush. Wipe with damp cloth.
Download a one-page copy of the Sal Suds Dilution Cheat Sheet.
If you have SLS concerns, check out this blog post: There is no Cancer Risk from SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)
Hello, can this product be safely used on marble countertops? They are not as tough as granite!
Thank you!
Hi Maureen- Marble is gorgeous and makes for a beautiful home. The issue with natural stones like marble is that acidic ingredients, such as vinegar, can etch the stone. Sal Suds (and also our Castile soaps) are alkaline, even with the addition of essential oils. Use the All-Purpose Spray, which is 1 Tbsp. Sal Suds in a quart of water. For a little more on stone, see my blog post here: https://www.lisabronner.com/cleaning-stone-with-castile-soap-sal-suds/
Does Sal Suds contain ANY coconut components ? Family member highly allergic.
Hi Peggy- Yes, the Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is derived from coconut oil. I’m sorry not to be able to help.
Well, I am jumping in with both feet on this product based on all the reviews. I am going to start using Sal Suds in my cleaning business. Lots of hard water deposits to clean, so I hope this helps make work less tiresome! Just received my two bottles…maybe I’ll be graduating to a gallon shortly.
Hi Roxey- Excellent! Your clients are lucky to have you! You might find some helpful tips my blog post, My Cleaning Cabinet, as well: https://www.lisabronner.com/my-cleaning-cabinet/
Can I used diluted Sal Suds on my hibiscus plants to get rid of aphids — without harming the plant?
Hi Bonnie- I haven’t personally tried a garden spray with Sal Suds, although it should work. I use a spray with 1 Tbsp. Castile Soap and a quart of water. There’s more detailed information over here on my blog: https://www.lisabronner.com/castile-soap-spray-for-garden-pests/
I mix it with washing soda for a great laundry detergent that’s safe for our grey water pits. Keep it by the sink for dishes. No more harsh chemical cleaners for us.
Bathtubs and tile showers are not on the list for Sal Suds.
Is there a problem with using it to clean these?
Do the oils vaporize to be overpowering in a small space?
The Suds clean, but they do not disinfect, correct?
Thanks!
Hi Lauren- You’re question is very timely! I have a blog post on cleaning bathrooms planned for later this year. The Sal Suds All-Purpose Spray is excellent on bathroom counters, shower, tub and the toilet (more on that here, https://www.lisabronner.com/toilet-cleaning-with-dr-bronners-video/). For additional scrubbing power, sprinkle a little baking soda or whip up the GIY Soft Scrub. Sal Suds doesn’t emit fumes like conventional cleaners, but if you have an issue, adjust the nozzle of your spray bottle to a targeted spray. Our soaps don’t disinfect because they don’t kill. They work by grabbing onto and rinsing away dirt, germs and grime. If you like, add 20 drops of pure essential tea tree oil to your spray bottle for added disinfecting, antibacterial powers.
Hi! I have read a lot of comments on using this for hand washing. I have my own regular soap dispenser. Do I dilute it??
Hi Tiffany- Sal Suds is our household detergent, and while it is safe on skin, it can be drying. Our Castile Soap, with it’s blend of oils (coconut, olive, palm, jojoba, and hemp) is designed to be the most nourishing to our skin. For hand washing, use foaming pump dispenser with 1 part soap to 3 parts water.
Hi Lisa,
May Sal Suds be used in the dishwasher? Thank you,
Bree
Hi Bree- Sal Suds is a great cleaner for almost any household purpose, with the notable exception of the dishwasher. Because Sal Suds is so bubbly, there is a risk of causing damage to your dishwasher because it gets overfilled with suds. To find an alternative, check out the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org). They rank cleaning and body care products based on ingredients, environmental impact, and such.
Love this stuff. Hubs washed our cars last weekend with Sal Suds and I’ve used it to make a no scrub daily shower spray.
I do wonder if it could be used with a power washer. And, if so, how much soap to how much water?
Hi Jean- Sal Suds works great in power washer. Add just a couple of drops to the solution chamber.
Can you use Sal Suds around pets, in particular cats? I”m wondering about the essential oils in it. Thank you.
Hi Cheryl- The behavior of my two cats – who very much enjoy sleeping on freshly washed bedding, gobbling from their food dishes, and lounging on the clean tile flooring without a care in the world – leads me to believe they are not sensitive to Castile or Sal Suds. Cute cat habits aside though, Sal Suds is used diluted and then rinsed off. Sal Suds in particular is very clean rinsing, leaving no reside behind.
Hello,
Can you tell me approximately how much a gallon of Sal Suds last for the number of people in your family for laundry? Do you use an HE machine?
Also how long a 32oz bottle lasts you for making dish washing soap, multi purpose cleaner and Sal Suds lite?
Thank you.
Hi Cheryl – Great question! I go through a gallon of Sal Suds roughly every 2 1/2 – 3 months. I don’t have an HE washer, so I’m using more there. As you can tell from the cheat sheet, I’m using the Sal Suds for nearly all my laundry, nearly all my housecleaning, dishes, car washing, whatever else needs washing and whatever GIY tests I’m working on for the blog. I don’t use quarts, but I guess dividing that by four, I’d go through a quart every 3 weeks-ish.
Can either Castile soap or sal suds be used on fabric car convertible tops?
Hi Susie- Sal Suds is the best option here because it rinses so cleanly.