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: 2 Tbsp. (30 mL) soap in 16 oz. (500 mL) water. Spray and wipe with a damp cloth. 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: ½ Tbsp. (7.5 mL) soap in 16 oz. (500 mL) water. 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
*Avoid using the Tea Tree scent to wash your pets, as tea tree oil can be toxic to them.
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.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your quick response. We used the diluted soap (1 cup castile soap , 1 cup water , 2 tea spoons of lemon juice) and added in the closed and open cup of dishwasher and also added vinegar to the rinse aid cup. The dishwasher completed successfully. But today we used on the diluted soap and didn’t add vinegar to rinse aid cup and it formed lots of foam and leaked water from the dishwasher. So the Dr.Bonners soap is only good for hand washing the dishes and not for dishwasher. A lesson learnt ;). For laundry is adding vinegar to rinse cycle mandatory ? we have a basic laundry it doesnt have different compartments.
Will checkout all your recipes and shoot out any questions. Thank you again for the quick response and for the guidance.
Have a great day !!
Thanks !!
AR
Hi AR – I wish our soap worked consistently in a dishwasher. It’s something we are working on. Hopefully some day soon we will have a good product for that. You mentioned using our soap directly with lemon juice. Let me give you a word of caution on doing that. The lemon juice actually reacts with the soap and makes it oily. You can read about that in my post here: https://www.lisabronner.com/a-word-of-caution-about-vinegar-and-castile-soap/.
Vinegar in the laundry is not mandatory. It’s just an extra thing for people who are accustomed to a fabric softener.
I add vinegar in with the wash cycle because it removes any nasty/lingering smells. I also use epsom salt as a fabric softner, 2 Tbsp for normal-large loads, 3 if a really dirty load.
For best results in the dishwasher dash 1/3 cup on the door with a large sprinkle of washing soda and add white vinegar into the rinse compartment. Start cycle per usual. You’ll be glad you did! Dr. Bronners for everything!
Hi Lisa,
I know you can not mix castile soap with vinegar, what about alcohol?
Hi Olivia – Isopropyl (aka rubbing) alcohol is a slight acid, and doesn’t help when mixed with the soap. It won’t produce as dramatic of a mess as vinegar (or lemon juice), but neither is it helping. It still messes up the effectiveness of the soap. I would recommend using one or the other, but not both together.
I need to bathe my cat periodically because she can’t groom herself very well and also has a lot of dandruff. I see directions for use on dogs. I know some essential oils are not safe for cats, but would the liquid baby soap be safe for use on a cat? Thank you!
Hi Kristen – The unscented Baby Mild Pure Castile soap is exactly what we recommend for use on cats. There are no essential oils that might irritate a cat.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for all your guidance and tips on using the Dr.Bonners – All purpose soap.
We bought Dr.Bonners from costco and planning to replace all the soaps and products with Dr.Bonners. We are confused on how to use this all purpose soap. Do we have to dilute it with water and vinegar and baking soda ?
What is the best way to use it for Dish Washer and Laundry ? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
AR
Hi AR – Welcome to the family! In other words, thanks for buying our soap. For body use, which is its primary purpose, you can use it undiluted. You don’t need very much, though, so don’t go too crazy. A small squirt on a washcloth will do for your whole body. A few drops lathered on your hands will wash your hands or face. For cleaning other things, for which the soap is also fantastic, there are various dilutions that I mention above. My most commonly used one is the All Purpose Spray (i.e. to replace a 409 type spray), use 1/4 c. of soap in a quart of water.
Don’t mix the soap with vinegar. Messy things happen. You can read about it here: https://www.lisabronner.com/a-word-of-caution-about-vinegar-and-castile-soap/. The soap doesn’t work in dishwashers, but is great for handwashing dishes: Pre-dilute 1:10 with water. Squirt on a scrub brush and scrub dishes. For laundry: 1/3-1/2 c. of soap for a large load in a normal washer. Add ½ c. vinegar to the rinse cycle. Use half of these amounts for HE.
Hi Lisa,
I have been using Dr.Bronners for a couple of years. I mix a 1 part soap to 3 part distilled water to make hand soap. Can I add essential oils like lemon or lavender to my hand soap to make a natural antibacterial soap, and if so how much should I add?
Thank you@!
Hi Zoey – You can add any essential oils you’d like to make your own special blend. With essential oils, a little goes a long way, so in one foaming pump dispenser (the only pump you should use with our castile), maybe 5 drops total of essential oils.
Hey I buy my new castle at Costco 40 oz bottle love it.
I want to use it in my hand pump in my bathroom. Pure soap seems like overkill. How much can I water it down?
1/3rd new castle 2/3 water? just wondering whats appropriate?
Only use a foaming pump dispenser for the castile soaps, and start with a ratio of 1 part soap to 3 parts water.
Yep!
Where can I buy these products in the Toronto Canada area?
Hi Alice – Check out our Store Locator: https://www.drbronner.com/locator/index.php?tab=CA. Let me know if that doesn’t work.
Can you give me a conversion rate for your castile soap? Specificly , how much of your liquid would equal 1 bar.
Thank you.
Hi Duane – Here you go: Bar soaps are 5% water; liquids are 61%. The chemistry is a little different for both, but considering that a bar soap is 5 oz, and thus 4.75 oz of non-water soap, you would need 12.18 ounces of liquid soap to equal the non-water content of a 5 oz bar.
I was also wondering if I added pure vitamin e oil to a body wash mix that was diluted if that would help preserve it and last longer? I want to save as much money possible and I want my products to last and also want them to work.
Yes, that would work! Also consider making smaller batches that you’ll use up more quickly.
I’m new at starting my own homemade non toxic natural cleaners, body washes, etc. I’m actually studying to become a certified aromatherapist(eventually registered) so incorporating essential oils to all my things I make. Since I’m new, I’m not sure of the quantity of ingredients to purchase. I don’t want to not get enough because then it’d be wasted (trial and error) and spending more money (I’m on a budget) but don’t want to get too much if it won’t last very long. So just wondering what you recommend be the amount to purchase. As far as right now goes. I’m wanting to incorporate castile soap for use of cleaning the house and make a dishsoap and to make a soap for my 4 year old and 1 year old. Eventually for myself and my husband. But I’ve started with cleaners since I’m still educating myself on the use of oils. I’d appreciate your feedback, thankyou! 🙂
Hi Chiane – Start with 1 quart of our pure castile soap. For all these uses, I think that would get you through a couple months.
thank you for responding to me! 🙂 im going to try to buy some castile soap this weekend and try it out! 🙂
What is a good dilution to use for hand soap in a pump next to sink?
Hi Donna – Only use a foaming pump dispenser for the castile soaps, and start with a ratio of 1 part soap to 3 parts water.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for this post! I am wondering if the Tea tree scented Castille soap has the same antibacterial properties as adding pure tea tree essential oil. If I use the tea tree soap, may I omit adding the essential oil and still benefit?
Thanks!
Hi Lauren – Tea Tree pure essential oil certainly has antibacterial properties of its own, so Yes, I think you’d get that extra punch just from using the Tea Tree Castile soap.
I’m curious whether I’m able to mix the soaps themselves for sort of custom scents eg Citrus-Almond or Lavender-Rose? While I love the scent of the eucalyptus soap I have found it causes me to rash if used over long periods of time, but have never encountered this problem with the other scents. So I was considering possibly an Almond-Eucalyptus mix to have a unique smell and hopefully mitigate some of the negative effects of the eucalyptus soap. Thanks!
Hi Randolph – Mixing the scents to create your own unique blend is a fantastic thing to do! Mix away!
I was wondering if you HAVE to rinse apple cider vinegar or anything else for that matter through the hair after the soap? Just that the smell it’s self makes me gag! Thankyou
Hi Kat – Nope, you don’t have to. Some hair types do perfectly fine with just the soap. However, if you find that your hair is tangly or rough, you might benefit from an acid rinse. The Dr. Bronner’s Hair Rinse is another alternative to the apple cider vinegar, and does not have the smell of vinegar.
[…] it is a very concentrated formula, you need to dilute it to get the best results. You can visit Dr. Bronner's blog here for suggestions on how to make the most of this wonderful […]
Hi Lisa,
Does tea tree and cherry blossom suitable for 7 & 14 year old?
Thanks.
Hi Lili – Both are perfectly safe for children of all ages. I would guess that the sweetness of the Cherry Blossom might appeal more to children. It’s my 6 year old’s favorite. However, for teenagers who might be battling acne, the tea tree is a perfect option.
Why do you need vinegar for hard water laundry use? Also, can you clean carpets with this?
Hard water is hard because it has a lot of dissolved minerals in it. Castile soap reacts with these minerals and can leave your clothes feeling stiff. Vinegar is a natural fabric softener and resolves this. Yes, you can clean carpets with it. Use the All Purpose spray for spot cleaning. If you’re using a carpet cleaner, though I find the Dr. Bronners Sal Suds to be more effective. One drop of Sal Suds in a carpet cleaner solution does the job.
I have been using the Baby Mild soap in our foam dispensers and have found that it clogs very easily and leaves a residue in the sink which has resulted in clogging the sink drain. The soap has been great with cleaning hands so I don’t want to stop using it. Any suggestions with the dispensers and sink clogging?
I forgot my other question…can I make a multi purpose cleaner for kitchen countertops with the Baby Mild soap? Will it clean and get rid of raw meat bacteria, etc?
Yes, it’ll work for that, too!
Hi Amanda – Try a more diluted solution. If you’re doing the 1:3 ratio, go to a 1:4 or more. That should take care of the pump clogging. However, I’m surprised to hear about the drain clogging. My husband helped me with a “How To” of clearing a sink drain. Check it out at the end of this one: https://www.lisabronner.com/deodorizing-the-sink-with-vinegar-and-baking-soda/. Let me know if you do find that the drain is clogged by build up on the walls of the pipe.
Hello,
I purchased Dr. Bronner’s Fair Trade & Organic Castile Liquid Soap – (Unscented, 16 oz) and want to use it on my natural African American hair. I have an 8 oz. bottle I want to put it in there along with the essential and carrier oil blends that work best for my natural hair. How do I properly dilute the soap to avoid over-drying or irritation to my scalp? Once I dilute it in water and leave it in a bottle, what is the shelf life? It is my first time using it so I am not too certain what to do. Thank you!
Hi Derlyne – Dr. Bronner’s Castile will work really well on your hair. For your hair type, try a dilution formula of 3 or 4 parts soap to 1 part water (any less and it may not suds up the way it should). Also, instead of adding a carrier oil, consider pretreating with an oil (like give your hair an olive oil or coconut oil pre-treatment), then wash it off with the soap, rather than mix the oil in with the soap. This pre-treatment is optional. You may find that you don’t need to use the Dr. Bronner’s Hair Rinse (https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/ORGANICHAIRCARE/SD0701.html), but if your hair feels dry or tangly after washing than our Conditioning Rinse or diluted apple cider vinegar will smooth it out. Diluting does reduce the shelf life, so make smaller batches. It’ll still have a shelf life of at least a month or so.
Do I have to pre-dilute the baby soap? Will it hurt my face if I use it undiluted directly on a wet buff puff?
Hi Michele – You do not need to predilute with the wet buff puff. Just a few drops will be great!
I’d like to know if I can use the soap to make bubbles that the kids can blow? If so, how? Thanks!
Hi Eileen – Great question! I hope other readers weigh in here. I’ve been meaning to figure this out, but keep forgetting. The Castile Soap doesn’t make the best bubbles. Dr. Bronners Sal Suds (https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/SALSUDSCLEANER/SSLI32.html) does a much better job, but I think you also need to add some glycerin for the best bubbles.
Anyone have a good recipe?
I just want to say how much I love Dr. B’s castile soaps. I use them for everything.I especially love the lavender scented castile. What’s so awesome for me is that I find I do not need to use conditioner in my hair after washing it with lavender castile. My hair is left feeling so soft and easy to comb. I know this is probably unique to my hair type and I’m not necessarily recommending that anyone else forgo post conditioning but for me, this truly is a magical soap.
I am a new user to Dr. Bronner castile soap, currently using the Lavender scented one. I love the fragrance. I am pregnant and am wondering if this is safe to use during pregnancy? Also, how much essential oil is present in the 32 fl oz bottle? Should I be diluting it to be safe to use during pregnancy?
Hi Suzie – Congratulations! I have looked into this questions myself through my three pregnancies, and yes, it is safe to use the Lavender soaps (and Tea Tree) through pregnancy. The concerns with both these oils is that at high concentrations they can permeate the skin and affect hormone balances. However, this is only a factor with products with high concentrations and that are left on the skin. Our soaps have the essential oils at a concentration of 2%, and they are washed off. Both of these reasons make them no problem at all for pregnancy. In a 32 oz. bottle, there would be around half an ounce of essential oils. If you are still concerned, check out our unscented Baby Mild soap, or perhaps our Almond or Citrus.
[…] y a les mélanges de la petite-fille du Dr. Bronner qui est aujourd’hui une des proprios et qui a son blogue. Il y a vraiment plein de trucs à essayer avec ce savon, mon mentor vous le dira (allez voir mes […]
I want to use the Baby Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap to wash my baby’s cloth because she has eczema. Is the soap good for eczema skin? Also, Do I have to use vinegar in the rinse cycle? If I use the vinegar, do I just add it to the fabric softener cup or I should add it manually in the rinse cycle? How much Castile Liquid Soap and vinegar I should use for half load of a HE washer? Is the soap also good to use when I hand wash cloth? Thanks!
Hi JZ – The Baby Mild unscented castile soap is great for babies and for soothing eczema. If you have hard water, it is a good idea to add vinegar to the rinse cycle. I do this just by adding it to the fabric softener holder in the washer. For a half load in an HE machine, I’d use just 2 Tbsp. of soap and the same of vinegar. It also works great to hand wash clothes. You can just squirt some into a sink full of water, or you can measure 1 Tbsp into the sink of cold water.
What would happen if you didn’t add the vinegar to the washing machine? I am so afraid that the castile soap is going to stain my clothing.
Hi Louise – The vinegar is only necessary if you have hard water. If you don’t have hard water, you don’t need to add it. There isn’t anything in the soap that would stain clothing – no colors or such. However, perhaps consider our Sal Suds, which is an excellent non-toxic detergent. Very mild, no colors, no fragrance. Even more effective and clean rinsing.
Hi, whilst looking for something to assist with itchy, dry skin and also interested in experimenting with essential oils, I recently purchased a bottle of Castile soap.
Can you please advise the best way to make a tea tree hand wash? I have a 500ml bottle, should I dilute with water then add the tea tree and how many drops would be sufficient?
Thank you for your help.
Hi Laura – For hand washing, you can use a couple drops straight out of the bottle, or you can dilute it into a foaming pump dispenser at a ratio of 1 part soap to 3 parts water. Do not dilute it into a regular soap pump as it will clog the pump.
I’ve read that the peppermint castile is good for eczema. Has anyone tried it. From the comments here it sounds drying. Would that make the eczema worse?
Hi Helen – From customer feedback, the Tea Tree pure castile seems to be the best option for eczema. Although I haven’t suffered from that, the Tea Tree did help immensely with my breakouts – totally cleared them up. I agree that the Peppermint can be drying. Give the Tea Tree a try instead.
Hello Lisa. I have been using these soaps for over a year now and absolutely love the product! I have not seen any questions or comments about using the soap in a dish washer. Is it ok to use it in the dish washer, if so what would be the amount? Thanks.
Hi Jacqueline – I’m glad you like our soaps! I haven’t found them to work well in a dishwasher. I always end up with a film on my glasses. However, there are other comments on here from folks that have found combinations that work for them.
Hi! I just bought my first Dr. Bronner’s to make my own bath products. I bought the Baby Unscented because it seemed the most forgiving on skin and hair (and, honestly, there was a good deal on Amazon).
I want to start making my own laundry detergent and other home cleaning products. Would the Baby formula work for those, or should I purchase a different soap? I’m not afraid of DIYing my own blends (I have baking soda, veggie glycerin, and tons of essential oils on hand).
If I should be using a different soap for laundry, etc., could you please tell me which one and explain why not the baby? I’m still learning about Castile so any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!!
Hi Rebecca – The unscented Baby Mild castile is a great base to use in all your DIY recipes. All our castile have the same base with different essential oils added. If you’re going to add your own essential oils anyways, the unscented is the best. Have fun!
Hi,
I would like to use Bronner for floor cleaning, can I clean with solution without rinsing. Also what ratio should I use?
Thanks.
Hi Jeff – Yes, it’s great for floors and no need to rinse. I use 1/2 c. of soap in 3 gallons of hot water for my whole house.
Hi Lisa,
I am a Dr Bronner newbie and would like to use it for laundry for baby clothes. I wonder if the formula is the same when its for baby clothes? Also, sorry for this stupid question but can you clarify what does HE stand for? TIA!
Hi Queenie – Great questions! Go for the unscented Baby Mild for baby clothes. It has no essential oils in it, to which babies might be sensitive. Yes, the formula would be the same. HE stands for High Efficiency – those are the “low water” washers, usually front loaders, that have come on the market in more recent years.
What is the best soap to use for laundry for a child with sensitive skin?
Hi Kristy – Check out either the unscented Baby Mild Pure Castile soap (https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/category/BABYMILD.html) or the Dr. Bronners Sal Suds (https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/category/SALSUDSCLEANER.html). I used the Sal Suds when my kids were babies because it is so extremely clean rinsing in my hard water, but both of these work really well and are very gentle.
I’m going to use your cheat sheet. Sounds so easy and I won’t have to mix up a lot of different cleaners. Sounds like one product can do it all. I am going to start with the unscented for bathing with, but what do you suggest to use for laundry and cleaning?
Hi Kathy – It’s very much a matter of personal preference and which scents make you happy. However, perhaps for cleaning, the Tea Tree castile has a slight advantage with its natural extra antibacterial power. But personally, unless I’ve got a super icky situation, I usually go with my mood. Often its the Citrus for me. Sometimes the lavender. Both for laundry and housecleaning.
Can I use the Eucalyptus Pure Castile soap to clean my wood cabinets? If so, what dilution should I use?
Hi Suzanne – Definitely! Use the All Purpose dilution of 1/4 c. of soap in a quart of water.
I am a enthusiastic cheerleader for Dr b soap. I use it for nearly everything at home and for skin care. Recently I started making my own laundry detergent I grate the Dr Brummer’s bar of soap and add a couple of other ingredients. Because I am in the Garment industry, I know that certain soaps will dry out elastics. That is why for example if you used a product such as Woolite which is thought by many to be a great product for delicates its in fact disastrous on anything other than wool because the oils will eventually coat the elastic causing it to harden and crackle (I’m sure this has happened to everyone before when you try to put on an old pair of underwear and the elastic in the band crackles snap back). These oils are great for woolens because natural fibers such which NEED to be coated with oil. However those same oils will ruin elastics- which is in many undergarments and socks etc.
So my question is what type of garment/fabric is the oil in Dr. Brommer effective on- wool or non woolens such as elastic.
Thank you.
Hi Isadora – Wow. I thought I understood laundry, but you very clearly are miles ahead of me and I am very impressed. I really don’t know. Living in southern California, I really don’t have much in the way of wool. I’m not very knowledgeable there. From experience, I can say that I’ve not had any elastics harden or crackle since I’ve been using Dr. B’s for my laundry. That may be your answer right there.
Perhaps another reader can weigh in here?
I camp a lot where there is no fresh water. I have been making my own body wipes using a basic formula for baby wipes, which is 10 drops of Dr. Bronner’s baby safe liquid soap, per each cup of boiled water with some small amounts of pure moisturizing ingredients also added. They work great for quick, or even full body wipe downs. My question is do you think this will be safe to use on my little girls private parts and after potty, considering there is no way to rinse off with plain water?
Thank you for any info you can give me or further suggestions.
Hi Betsy – Since I haven’t tried this, I can’t say a guaranteed for sure, but I think that probably this would be fine for a wipe without rinsing. I’ve read about a good number of baby wipe solutions that use about the same amount of soap in homemade wipes. This is a pretty similar situation.
Can other readers weigh in on this one?
Bronners is fine not to rinse since it is natural and oil based. Dr. Bronner himself used to wash his hair every morning outside of the shower and just blot off with a dry towel. No rinsing. This was on his documentary.
I love that demonstration in the documentary! Keep in mind that he was using a very diluted solution. That works really well!
How much soap and vinegar would be used for a small and medium load?
Hi Jetta – In a regular machine, for a small load, use 1/4 c. of castile to wash and then 1/4 c. of vinegar in the rinse compartment. For medium, go with 3/8 c. soap and 3/8 c. vinegar.
I use the castile soap soaps to deep clean makeup brushes about once a week and i was wonder if you had a ratio for daily spot cleaning without being too “soapy”
Hi Justin – Great use! For a daily cleaning of make-up brushes, I’d probably put one drop on the bristles, work it in, and then swish it in a cup of water. Or you could put a small squirt of soap in the cup of water and swish the brushes around. Perhaps squeeze the water out of the bristles with a clean towel and let them air dry.
Wondering what your ratio is for deep cleaning, Justin or Lisa?
Hi Michelle – For a more intense cleaning, you are welcome to increase the amount of soap to your liking. It’s not an issue of toxicity or anything – just not using more than is needed. You are welcome to double the amount of soap and see how it goes.
I’m looking for the kind of soap a person can wash with and not have to use water to rinse. Would this soap work like that? Or would pharmaceuticals like they use in hospitals for sponge bathing be better? I’m writing an eBook to help tourists coming to Nepal and many don’t expect to be without hot water while up on the trekking trail. But it’s cold, the windows don’t always close well and they might even be just wooden shutters. So this is going on my list if it would be useful to be used like this. Our NGO for post earthquake Nepal reconstruction: http://KayGarnay.org
Hi Amanda – Wow! What a great topic! Unfortunately, our soap will not work in waterless situations. I hope you find something that works!
Hi! I had a few questions regarding your castile soap and hair care. I have been on a mission for an all natural and simple product for cleansing my hair. I started with the “no-poo” method of baking soda and vinegar, but the baking soda was too drying on my hair. Further research led me here! My questions are can anyone tell me the results they’ve experienced with using the pure castile liquid soap and the organic pump soaps, what’s the difference between the two, should I mix either with anything other than water (oil, coconut milk, etc.), and which you would recommend for primarily hair care? Thanks in advance!
Hi Saraya – I wrote a post comparing the two here: https://www.lisabronner.com/dr-bronners-pure-castile-vs-shikakai-soaps/. That might help get you started. I don’t combine my soap with anything, but lots of readers here do, especially with the coconut milk, so maybe one of them will weigh in here!
Because I also have dry hair, I steer away from the peppermint, which is a drying oil. I most often use the Almond or Citrus, which are both very mild. That’s totally personal preference. I also opt for the Castile over the Pump soaps, but that’s more because the Almond and Citrus don’t come in the Pump Soaps. The Pump Soaps are more moisturizing, so that might be a good option for you.
What ratio of baking soda:water did you use? & how often? What about ACV:water? I have had great success with no pooing my hair (I do equal parts) Using less baking soda will solve your problem. Also, you can use homemade dry shampoo to lengthen time between washes. I use 1/2 cup Arrowroot Powder (FYI it is volumizing if you want it to be so if you get carried away with working it in you can brush it to tame it back down) as my base & maybe a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder & of cinnamon as my tint for my dirty blonde hair. 🙂 I love using Dr. Bronner’s Castile soaps for tons of things but I just love my no poo too much lol random tip- for ACV/water use a water bottle & just poke a small hole in the lid. I put the lid on my head which makes it so quick & easy to distribute,
Does ANYONE know of The (A) Average or (B) Best or (C) Most-Often Recommended or (D) The Ideal
Ratio of “DR. BRONNER”S PURE CASTILE SOAP” to WATER,
.for using It as One’s DAILY-BODY-SHOWER-SOLUTION??
There are only General Suggestions for Dilutions FOR EVERY OTHER TYPE OF USAGE, printed on the
bottles’ Labels.
WE need IT to take DAILY SHOWERS!
Not for “Washing the Upper-Amospheric-Hate out of Your Cat’s Tongue.”
Thank You!!!
Hi Frank – Ha! You’re absolutely right. We get caught up in all these special uses that we neglect the basics. This is primarily a BODY soap. Personally, I don’t predilute my soap for the shower, for several reasons. First, that’s an extra step that I don’t feel like taking. Second, I feel that the water present in the shower, on my body, and on my wash cloth will dilute the soap already. Third, the prediluted soap always seems so much colder, and I’m a fan of a super hot shower. However, you are more than welcome to dilute it. I would recommend a 1:10 ratio to start with. You can tweak it to your personal preference.
[…] Dilutions Cheat Sheet for Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap […]
Hi, what is the ph of Dr Bronners castille peppermint soap? I find it’s a bit drying on my body and I’m wondering if it’s because of the ph levels. Thanks!!
Hi Emily – The pH of the castile is 8.9. Peppermint oil, though, is naturally drying, which makes it a great option for oily skin or after work-outs and such. I’ve also heard testimonials from customers that this makes it a great aid to recover from poison ivy. However, it can be a bit intense otherwise. I don’t prefer it on a daily basis, but it is my go-to in the summer especially after days at the beach or working in the yard. Try one of the other fragrances, such as almond or citrus, which are not drying.
Are all your soaps the same except for smell? If I want something with no smell to it do I use the baby?
Hi Terry – Yes, they all have the same soap base, with the addition of the different essential oils. However, the unscented Baby Mild not only has no essential oils, but the percentage of olive oil is also higher, creating an even milder soap for sensitive skin.
Anyone used Bronners in automatic dishwasher?
Hi Teresa – You’ll see other readers on here who have and with good results. It hasn’t gone well for me. For one, my hard water reacts with the castile soap and leaves a filminess on my glasses. Also, the soaps bubble more than conventional detergent and that can seep out of the seals of the dishwasher.
I keep a container of your baby formula castile soap in my bathrooms and kitchen. I love the soap and use it for my body, face and hands. I have problem with finding a good dispenser as it tends to clog up the opening. Any suggestions?
Hi Donna – We don’t recommend the Castile soaps in traditional pump dispensers for just that reason. Worse than a full clog is when it partially clogs and shoots soap up at the user. Foaming pumps work much better at a ratio of 1 part soap to 3 parts water.
I love using the foam pump method with Dr Bronner’s. It works well for hands and in the shower, I squirt it directly onto a sponge and use it on dishes too.
How much would you put in a quarter spray bottle for laminate floors?
Hi Sandra – I’d use my All Purpose Spray ratio of 1/4 c. of soap in a quart of water.
All the best!
Lisa
Does this solution need to be rinsed off laminate floors?
Hi Diane – Nope. It’s good to go with your mop.
Could you clarify please: You say in one posting that if washing hair to use apple cidre vinegar for a rinse. In another posting you say do not mix Castile with vinegar. Could you clarify please . This product is completely new to me so I am just beginning to look into it.
Many thanks Josephine
Hi Josephine – I’m glad you asked because I, too, thought it might be unclear. The soap should be rinsed out of the hair thoroughly with water before using the apple cider vinegar or the Dr. Bronner’s Hair Rinse. If the soap and vinegar meet on the hair, it will be oily and messy. Use them as a one-two punch, one after the other.
Hi Lisa,
I’m a long time user & super fan of the Dr. Bronners line. Recently I made a few purchases of the: hemp cherry blossom & shikakai peppermint. Where can I purchase these on a regular basis?
Hi Ayar – Thanks for sticking with us for so long! We’ve made the shikakai peppermint (officially known as our Peppermint Organic Pump Soap and on sale this month, March ’16) since 2008-ish. It isn’t carried by nearly as many stores as our Castiles, though. Either call around to stores or order it online. Our webstore may not be the best price, so look around.
The Cherry Blossom Castile is a whole ‘nother story! It’s brand new and we are still doing market tests with it to make sure it’s well-received before we stock up for a full launch. I think it’s only in Whole Foods stores this month (March ’16). It’s not even in our webstore. So you might want to pick up some more if you like it.