How to Wash Dishes with Dr. Bronner’s 

Judging from the amount I’ve written about washing dishes with Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap and Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner over the years, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking this isn’t something I do. I’ve written a whopping zero articles on the topic. Other than on my Cheat Sheets for Sal Suds and Castile Soap, dishwashing has nary a mention. 

And yet, dishwashing is probably my second biggest household use for each of these products, after laundry.  

The reason I haven’t written about how to use these for washing dishes in the 14+ years I’ve been writing this blog is because I’ve never settled on one definitive way to do so. I kept waiting to discover the one best way, but it hasn’t happened. I keep switching it up, and they all work well.  

So, I guess I’ll settle on this statement: There are many ways to wash dishes with Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap and Sal Suds. I use them interchangeably, but if your water is particularly hard or if your dishes are particularly greasy, the Sal Suds performs a touch better.  

Which scent do I use to wash dishes? 

This is a rather personal question, and I don’t expect you to agree with me. I am rather opinionated when it comes to which scents belong in my kitchen. Sal Suds only comes in the one spruce and fir essential oil scented option, which I think is great for the kitchen. However, you could customize it with the addition of your own favorite essential oil blend.  

When it comes to the Castile, I find the Citrus is the most kitchen-y scent, but I know there are die-hard supporters of every one of the others. The base soap is the same for each, with only the change of essential oils, or the lack of essential oils in the case of the Unscented, so they’ll each perform just as well as the others. Or, again, you can also create your own perfect blend with your favorite essential oils added to any of them. 

There are many ways to wash dishes with Dr. Bronner’s

In the video, I cover many of the different ways I’ve washed dishes. Here’s the run down:

• Castile in a foaming pump. This is the beauty of the Castile Soap. Though it is designed for skin, it beautifully cleans all surfaces, which means the same foaming soap I keep sinkside for handwashing does a great job washing a single dish. Dilute 1 part soap to 3 parts distilled water. (I know I’ll get the question whether you can use Sal Suds in a foaming pump. Yes, you can, diluted at 1 part Sal Suds to 6 parts water, but don’t use this regularly for handwashing as it can be drying. Sal Suds is too good at grabbing oils.)  

• Sal Suds diluted in a squirt bottle. This is how I make up a big sudsy sinkful of washing up water. In an empty Sal Suds quart bottle (or any quart bottle), add ½ c. (120 mL) Sal Suds with water to the top. This helps me not to use more Sal Suds than I need. 

• All-Purpose Spray with Castile or Sal Suds. When I have big, bulky things to wash, this is my go-to. It’s 2 Tbsp. (30 mL) Castile or 2 tsp. (10 mL) Sal Suds in 2 c. (480 mL) water.  

• Undiluted Sal Suds or Castile. Sometimes when I haven’t diluted the product, for whatever reason, I use the cleaners straight. A couple drops of Sal Suds, or a small squirt of Castile does the job.  

• Dr. Bronner’s Castile Bar Soap. I really like this option. Set bar soap in a sturdy dish. Swipe your wet dish brush over the bar and start scrubbing. 

• Dispensing dish wand. These handy devices dispense solution as you wash. Dilute 1 part Castile Soap to 5 parts water, or 1 part Sal Suds to 10 parts water.  

After you’ve utilized your method of choice, rinse dishes well. Dry dishes with a towel for the best shine and to prevent water spots.  

But not in a dishwasher

You may have noticed, and perhaps have already asked me in the comments, I don’t use Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap or Sal Suds in my dishwasher. In part it is the hardness of my water as well as the bubbliness of both products (dishwasher detergents are designed not to foam), but also dishwashers seem to know, and mine gives me an error message when I try it. My go-to for finding a dishwashing detergent that works with my machine, water, and dish dirtiness is the EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning, which has several to recommend. 

Did I miss any ways to wash dishes?

I wash dishes so often, explaining how I do it is almost like explaining how I breathe. I just do. But I hope these descriptions get you started and if you have another way of washing with Dr. Bronner’s, please share in the comments!