Notes by Nourish

In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits and uses of castile soap, as well as some tips for incorporating it into your daily routine.
Since we have Dr Bronner’s castile soap on offer this month (February 2023), I thought it would be a good opportunity to write more about castile soap, including what it is, its benefits, and how to use it.

After all, Castile is no ordinary soap, my friends. Castile soap is a versatile and natural cleaning product that has been used for centuries. It is made from vegetable oils, such as olive, coconut, or hemp, and is used for a wide range of purposes, from personal care to household cleaning.

Benefits of Castile Soap

Gentle and Moisturising

Castile soap is known for its gentle and moisturising properties; thanks to the natural oils it contains. This makes it an excellent choice for skincare, especially during the winter months when skin tends to become dry, itchy, and sensitive due to harsher weather conditions. It is less likely to dry out your skin or strip your hair of its natural oils, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive or dry skin.

Furthermore, the natural oils in Castile soap help to nourish and hydrate the skin, while also helping to maintain its natural oils. This helps prevent the skin from becoming overly dry and irritated, which may then lead to issues such as flakiness, redness, and even cracking.

Versatile

Castile soap is incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide range of purposes, from personal care to household cleaning. This makes it a great all-in-one product that can simplify your cleaning routine and reduce the number of products you need to buy.

Natural and Non-Toxic

This soap is a natural and non-toxic alternative to conventional cleaning products. The latter often contain harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances that may be harmful to both our health and the environment – no thank you! Instead, this soap is made from simple and natural ingredients, which makes it a safer and more eco-friendly choice.

What is The Difference Between Castile Soap and Regular Soap?

The main difference between Castile soap and regular soap is the ingredients used to make them. Regular soap is typically made from a combination of animal fats or plant oils, along with lye (sodium hydroxide). On the other hand, Castile soap is made exclusively from vegetable oils, most commonly olive oil.

Because Castile soap is made from natural plant oils, it is often gentler and more moisturising than regular soap, which might be harsh and drying. (Of course, this is product and skin type depending. Many natural soaps offer up fantastic moisturising qualities, for example, goats milk soap).
In addition, castile soap also tends to have a lower pH than regular soap, which again, may be less irritating to your skin if you’re particularly sensitive. In fact, castile soap is a great option for those with sensitive or allergy-prone skin.

Overall, the main differences between Castile soap and regular soap are the ingredients used and the properties of the final product. Castile soap is free from harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances that tend to irritate the skin and strip it of its natural oils.
As previously mentioned, this is what makes it a great option for those with sensitive or reactive skin, as well as for those who want to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals.

Uses of Castile Soap

For the Body

Body Wash

It’s a really nice gentle and moisturising body wash. Simply squirt a little from the bottle onto a wet washcloth, shower pouf or just into your hands and lather it up. You’ll be squeaky clean in no time!

And of course, there are bars of soap too, which can be used in place of the liquid. We all have our preferences!

• Try Citrus Orange or Peppermint for a refreshing and invigorating start to the day
• If you’re looking for a more relaxed start, try lavender, rose or almond-scented castile soap
• Perhaps you’re struggling with problematic skin conditions like acne dermatitis and psoriasis? Try tea tree castile soap
• And dare I mention colds and flu? If you’re feeling those unwanted stuffy nose symptoms, clear your sinuses with eucalyptus castile soap in the shower

Bath

Naturally, castile soap is suitable for bathing too. Add a couple of tablespoons into the bath water and have a good soak. I highly recommend the lavender scent in this case, but I’m also prone to mixing lavender and peppermint together because the scent is divine!

Do you have little ones? Dr Bronner’s also have a mild castile soap which is suitable for babies. Although castile soap itself is a gentle and natural baby wash, it’s often not recommended to use essential oils due to their sensitive skin. That’s why Dr Bronner’s have one without any.
Dilute it with water and apply it to your baby’s skin in the bath, then rinse thoroughly. This is also a great product if you yourself are sensitive and wish for a mild product.

Hands

Unsurprisingly, Castile soap works as a great gentle and moisturizing hand soap. Simply apply a small amount of undiluted soap to your hands and wash thoroughly. Tea tree is a good option for its antibacterial properties, as is eucalyptus or lavender.
Again, try the bars instead if you prefer the solid version.

Another product worth briefly mentioning here is Dr Bronner’s natural hand sanitizer. It’s free from chemicals but highly effective. There’s a peppermint and lavender version and both are great.

Facial Cleanser

Additionally, castile soap works as a really nice natural facial cleanser. Dilute it with water and apply it to your face, then rinse thoroughly. Alternatively, lather up the bar into your hands and massage in before rinsing. I’m a big fan of the rose-scented one or lavender. Unscented is also good if your skin is sensitive to essential oils. And of course, It is important to avoid getting soap in your eyes, as it can cause irritation.

Shaving Cream

Castile soap works well as a natural and moisturizing shaving cream. Simply lather it up in your hands and apply it to your skin before shaving. The natural oils in the soap will help to lubricate your skin and prevent irritation. That being said, an excellent alternative to this would be Dr Bronners Shikakai Tea Tree Shaving Gel or peppermint shaving gel. These are blended carefully with their coconut-olive-hemp castile soap base and work a treat.

Toothpaste

Now, although it is possible to use this soap as toothpaste by adding a drop to your toothbrush, it’s not something I’d recommend above all else. I’ve done it in a pinch when I was on a flight to Australia and only had a mini travel size with me. It honestly does feel like what it is, washing your mouth out with soap!
And why go through that, especially when Dr Bronner’s have two kinds of toothpaste specifically developed for such cleaning purposes! There’s both a cinnamon option and also a peppermint option and they’re excellent options to help reduce plaque and whiten your teeth.

They’re also:

• Fluoride-free
• Vegan
• No synthetic detergent foaming agents
• No artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners
• 70% organic ingredients
• 100% recyclable box and tube

Household

Dish Soap

Try using Castile soap as a natural and effective dish soap. Pre-dilute 1:10 with water. Squirt on a scrub brush and scrub em good. The citrus base is a great one for this jobby, or alternatively, add a few drops of lemon juice for extra grease-cutting power.

All-Purpose Cleaner

Castile soap is an effective and non-toxic alternative to conventional all-purpose cleaners, so try it as an all-purpose cleaner for surfaces around your home. Dilute it with water and use it to clean countertops, floors, and other surfaces.
Adding a few drops of essential oil for natural fragrance and natural cleaning powers is another option to boost its cleaning power.

Grab yourself a glass spray bottle. If it’s about 300ml then add a good tablespoon of castile soap, 10-15 drops of a powerful antibacterial essential oil like tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon, orange, rosemary etc. and fill up with water. Then shake it up and spritz onto your countertops.

An alternative to the regular castile soap would be Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Liquid Cleaner. This is a concentrated hard-surface all-purpose cleaner made with plant-based surfactants and natural fir needle and spruce essential oils.

Tips for Using Castile Soap

Dilute it!

Castile soap is highly concentrated and so in most cases, it should be diluted before use. Depending on the purpose, you may need to dilute it with water in different ratios.

For personal care, a ratio of 1:3 (1 part soap to 3 parts water) is a good starting point.
For household cleaning, you may need to use a stronger solution, such as a 1:1 ratio.
Feel free to check Dr Bronner’s website out for more details about the products. They’re absolutely worth investing in as a little bit goes a really long way!

Do you only have the bar but want it in liquid form? No problem.
All you need to do is chop up your bar of soap into small pieces and then place these pieces into a clean jar. Fill the jar with boiling water, and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Stir well to incorporate the dissolved soap into the water. Hey presto – you have liquid castile soap.

Conclusion

Castile soap is a versatile and natural product that offers a wide range of benefits and uses. It is gentle, moisturizing, and non-toxic, making it a great alternative to conventional cleaning products. By incorporating Castile soap into your daily routine, you can simplify your cleaning routine, reduce the number of products you need to buy, and promote a more natural and eco-friendly lifestyle.

Many people also use it for doing their laundry, cleaning the loo, washing their hair, washing their veggies or using it as a pet shampoo. Sometimes it feels like options are somewhat endless..!

If you’d like to learn more about natural cleaning, have a read over these blog posts:

• Natural & Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Tips | Part 1
• Natural & Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Tips | Part 2

Emily Nöth

Any questions? Drop into your local Nourish store to chat with our expert team and explore our full range of foods, supplements and skincare. You can also find our full product range in our online store.

Follow (and chat with us) on Facebook and Instagram or subscribe to our weekly Nourish newsletter.

*Please note that while we are knowledgeable about our products and nutrition, this blog should never be a substitute for medical advice and attention.

Please remember that you should always obtain the all-clear from your doctor before starting any new supplement plan or diet if you’re on any medication.