Recently, I decided to go a long stretch and purchase Dr. Bronner’s liquid Castile soap. Back in June or July of this year, I was introduced to this soap by one of my dearest friends who is a representative for Young Living Essential Oils. She blogs here at Godoy Family Blog. During one of her Young Living Essential oil awareness classes, she gave us a few examples of how Dr. Bronner’s soap can be used together with essential oils for cleaning. Albeit, I have long lost the hand-out she gave to us. In addition, the first time I saw the soap at Target, I skipped buying it because I saw a huge bottle for close to $20. Did not want to spend $20 on soap. That was over 3 months ago. I still had a desire to buy the soap, though. So a couple weeks ago, I decided I was going to buy it for the $20 to test it out. But when I got to Target, I saw a smaller bottle for $10. I was so happy with spending $10 rather than $20 on soap! There is also the bar soap of that brand for $5 (a tiny bar). I do not know of other local stores that sell the soap. I was only told that Target sells it. Could not find it at Walmart. But I have seen it online, though. Same price, I believe. That stuff’s not cheap!
Since then, I have been coming up with many uses for the soap. It is a natural cleaning agent and does not need any additional soap added to it for cleaning the areas of your home. I purchased the Lavender so leaves a really nice clean smell. Essential oils is not necessary for adding in unless you desire, too.
Here are some of the many uses I have found for this Liquid Castile Soap (LLS)
All-Purpose Cleaner:
You need:
- 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
- 1/4 cup Dr. Bronner’s LCS
- 4 cups water (warm or regular)
Directions:
- Put all ingredients in a spray and give a good shake. The vinegar with the soap makes it a kind of milk-ish color.
- I use this solution for cleaning areas such as counter tops, spills, appliances such as the microwave etc. Sometimes I’ll just spray it around the house as an air freshener.
Surface Cleaner:
You need:
- 1 Tablespoon Dr. Bronner’s LCS
- 1 cup warm water,
- 1 Tablespoon white vinegar (optional)
Directions:
- Mix all the ingredients to together.
- I use this to cleans surfaces such as counter tops, fridge doors, microwave doors, stoves, etc), or just whatever surface I desire to clean or give a good wipe down.
Heavy Duty Cleaner (make a paste):
You need:
- 2 – 4 Tablespoons DR. Bronner’s LCS
- 1 cup borax powder or baking soda
Directions:
- Mix well in a small jar and use for cleaning heavy areas such as stove tops, pots and pans, bath tubs, sinks, and other areas that need extra cleaning.
- Sometimes, I add a little bit of water to the paste in a stubborn area and let it sit for while. Then I scrub the area with a cleaning brush or rag.
Window Cleaner:
You need:
- 1/2 teaspoon Dr. Bronner’s LCS
- 1 cup water
- 3-4 drops of lemon essential oil
Directions:
- Mix everything together in a small spray bottle. Use it to clean windows.
- Note: I have heard that Lemon Essential Oil is good for cleaning windows and it seems to work.
Hardwood Floor Cleaner:
You need:
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons Dr. Bronner’s LCS
- 4 cups warm water
- 2 to 4 Tablespoons white vinegar (optional)
Directions:
- Mix together in a bowl for cleaning floors. Double the amount in your mop bucket if you are mopping/cleaning a larger area. Money Saving Mom has a recipe on her blog for wood floor cleaner using Dr. Bronner’s soap.
Foaming Hand Soap:
You need:
- 1/4 cup Dr. Bronner’s LCS
- Water
- (Optional) 8-10 drops of essential oils
- Note: Adding essential oils is not necessary as Dr. Bronner’s soap works great on its own. However, I chose to add some Thieves essential oil since it’s good for attacking germs).
Directions:
- Add the soap and essential oil to a small hand soap spray bottle.
- Fill with water and shake until foaming.
- Note: You could totally skip the essential oil, as Dr. Bronner’s soap works great on its own.
It works great for greasy areas and dishes, too. Simply use the soap in place of regular dish soap liquid, then rinse off.
So these are the many ways I use Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap. I am sure there are other ways to use the soap that I would discover as I continue to experiment. There are also suggestions on the bottle of how to use it including using it on your face and body. I have not yet tried them. And my bottle is almost empty! I use it often but I love the soap and don’t mind spending $10 on it every now and again.
Further note: Adding vinegar to Dr. Bronner’s soap turns it into a milk-ish color. Personally, I prefer to add the mixture in this order: first the soap, second the water, and then the vinegar last. I find that adding the vinegar with the soap causes the mixture to have little white pieces of stuff in there (maybe soap). Either order you chose, just remember to give the mixture a good shake and you are good to go!
What do you think about using all those natural cleaning products? Have you heard of or tried this kind of soap at your home? Would so love to hear about it!
For other Homemade soap products you can view my recipe for Homemade laundry soap here, both liquid and powder.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27, KJV).
It’s worth the price after seeing all the different cleaners you can make with this! Natural is always best.
You know, I totally agree with you on this one!
I know a lot of folks are really into making their own cleaning products these days. My daughter makes her own detergent and softner. I have heard of this type of soap. It seems to be very popular. You sure can get a lot of use from it!
I admire your daughter so much for sticking to the natural!
Interesting! I really haven’t explored making my own cleaners much. I have several friends who do so, so I just buy it from them in support! And I do love my Bath & Body Works hand soaps that I have at all the sinks in the house. Although with essential oils and your recipe, I’ll bet you could make some that smell just as good!
I love the smells of Bath & Body Works, too. In fact, I am sure I have a few of those products in my bathroom. But I love trying out new stuff, too!
Wow that’s a lot of cleaning products that can be made. I’ve been on the fence about castille soap, but I think I may have to order some now.
You should really try some, Erlene!
Love natural cleaners. Pinning to my good to know board!
Thank you so much for pinning!
What a great post, very creative. I will have to try this out.
Thank you Lindsay! In my opinion, that is a good choice!
I buy Dr. Bronner’s by the gallon. I mostly make beauty recipes. Now I am going to try to make my own cleaning supplies. Thank you for the recipes.
Would love to figure out where you get them by the gallon. I will search online! And I hope you share your beauty recipes with us!
Hi there,
I found your post on the Up All Night Blogging Facebook group. I have never tried homemade cleaners before. Definitely considering these.
Thanks for sharing!
cori
Try them – they are so much better for our health!
Very interesting post. I’ve been meaning to try homemade cleaning products. Think I will give the hand soap a try as soon as ours is running out.
Alex – Funky Jungle – Instagram
I am a huge fan of homemade cleaners! I’ve been using them for years. But……I haven’t been using Dr.Bonners. I have been using dish soap. Which is full of chemicals 🙁 Cost has been one of the reasons I haven’t switched. Another reason is Ai had a bad experience with Dr Bonners on my hair. It was awful. But for cleaning….I may try it again after your positive testimonial.
Well, now I do not want to try it on my hair, thanks to you (LOL). The cleaning products are great Amanda! And so glad you are back!
I am always up for trying a new homemade cleaning product. I’ve heard of castille soap before; it sure has a lot of uses. 🙂 PINNED
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Thank you for pinning! I am sure there are so much more uses from this thing!
I love this soap! I even use it as a part of my recipe facial cleanser. Thanks for the helpful post. Pinning it now.
Awesome, you’ll have to share these facial recipes sometime!
I have just started using this and I love it as well. I am learning how to make my cleaning products so we don’t have all those nasty chemicals in the house. Pinned and shared,
Thank you so much. I so love all the homemade natural products!
Brilliant! I have often wanted to buy this soap and choked at the price as well. This makes me want to try it again. Great post.
Thank you, Julie. I just ran out and need to get some more, despite the cost!
I’ve been interested in making my own soaps and cleaners because of allergies, but so lazy. You made this look simple!
They are really not that hard – super easy to make. And so much better for your health!
I make my own cleaning supplies and heard a lot of good things about this soap. I hate to spend that much money on soap though. I might just have to suck it up and give it a shot! Thanks for sharing with us at the Teach Me Tuesday Linky Party:)
It really works…try it!!
I’ve been trying to learn more about castile soap! Thank you for sharing this!!
You are welcome! Love to share anytime!!
This is very helpful! (: Thank you.
You are welcome!
I love, love, love this! I actually devote whole sections to my blog to natural DIY cleaners, beauty products, and gardening tips, too! Thanks for linking this up this week at Merry Monday’s!
You are so welcome! I would totally check out your blog as I love the natural.