Castile soap is a type of soap that is made from vegetable oils, such as olive, coconut, or hemp. It is biodegradable, gentle on the skin, and versatile for different cleaning purposes. Castile soap is concentrated and very cost effective, as a little goes a long way. Pure Castile soap also has lots of different uses around the home. Here are 18 top ideas.
Castile Soap For the Body
Face wash - add 2-3 drops to wet hands and apply to a wet face.
Body wash - squirt a small amount onto a wet wash cloth or loofah, and apply to a wet body.
Natural shampoo - work 1/2 tablespoon into your hand, or dilute 1/2 tablespoon into 1/2 cup water and work that into wet hair.
In the bath - add approximately 2 tablespoons into an average sized tub. It won't bubble, but it still cleans well.
Shaving - for face - 10 drops, underarms - 3 drops, and legs - 1/2 teaspoon; work into a lather in wet hands and apply.
Foot bath - add 1 1/2 teaspoons in a small tub of warm water and soak feet.
For congestion - add 1 tablespoon in a bowl of steamy hot water, and breathe in mist with a towel draped over your head.
Household Uses
Hand wash dishes - pre-dilute soap 1:10 with water, squirt on a scrub brush and scrub dishes.
Laundry - add 1/3 to 1/2 cup of soap for a large load in a normal washer, and add 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Mopping - 1/2 cup soap in 11 litres of hot water.
Cleaning paste - mix 1 cup bicarb soda and 1/4 cup liquid Castile soap into a thick paste and it's ready for scrubbing and cleaning.
All-purpose cleaning spray - add 1/4 cup soap in litre of water in a spray bottle. You can also add 1/4 teaspoon tea tree essential oil if you like.
Windows - add 1 tablespoon soap in a litre of water in a spray bottle. Follow up with pure club soda, or half vinegar and half water.
Toilet - pre-dilute soap 1:4 with water in a spray bottle and add 1/4 tea tree oil. Spray toilet bowl thoroughly, sprinkle baking soda all over, scrub bowl with a toilet brush, and let sit 10 minutes before flushing.
Other Uses
Fruit and veggie wash - add approximately 1/4 teaspoon in a bowl of water, wash produce, then rinse in clean water.
Dog wash - the amount to use will depend on the size, hair type and dirtiness of your dog, however add enough to its body until you have a good lather and massage down to the skin.
Plant spray for bugs - to discourage aphids and other bugs from eating plants, mix 1 tablespoon in a litre of water, and add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or cinnamon, if you like.
Ant spray - to discourage ants inside the home, mix 1/4 cup soap and 1/4 teaspoon tea tree oil in a litre of water in a spray bottle and spray on affected areas (this mixture is more concentrated than the plant spray for bugs above and will burn plants, so avoid spraying on plants).
Buy Castile Soap Australia
You can find pure Castile soaps online at Biome, including Castile liquid soap, and Castile bar soap.
An Australian made alternative to Dr. Bronner's castile soap?. Made the traditional way from Australian-grown olive oil, Biome's pure castile soap is gentle on skin and eco friendly.
