These days, we’re all striving to repurpose what we already have at home. Although many reserve castile soap for washing up, it actually has many uses. The pure, natural, and long-lasting nature of this soap makes it safe and convenient for many different household chores. Expanding your use of this natural cleaner won’t only save time, it can save you money, too! Read on to discover six everyday ways to use castile soap in your home.
This natural soap originated in Castilla, Spain and was originally made using olive oil. With olive oil as its base, castile soap was not only sweet-smelling but also more environmentally friendly than other soaps. Today, this soap uses many different base oils such as coconut, avocado, almond, and more. It’s very easy to find castile soap in stores or you can choose to make your own!
Before you begin to use castile soap or liquid castile, like Dr. Bronner’s, you have to understand the importance of pH levels. Liquid castile has a high pH of >9 which means it must be diluted before being used. Due to its high pH level, it’s great for cleaning surfaces and clothes, but can be harsh on skin. You should only use diluted liquid castile on skin that is very dirty or needs a powerful degreasing.
While solid form castile will also have a very high pH, making it alkaline, the process of superfatting helps make it suitable for skin. Superfatting is used to compensate for the alkalinity and makes this soap more moisturizing and skin-friendly. You can learn more about superfatting in the Soapmaking eBook.
The effective, yet gentle cleansing power of castile soap is part of what makes it so versatile. Here are just a few ways you can use this soap at home.
Keeping your makeup brushes clean helps maintain their efficacy, as well as protects your skin. Our brushes can trap dirt, oil, and sweat which can clog pores when we apply makeup. Regularly cleansing makeup brushes can reduce breakouts and improve skin health. To clean your brushes, soak them in a solution of warm water and a few drops of liquid castile soap. In solid form, soak the brushes in warm water, massage soap into them, and rinse clean.
While at home, you may find yourself with more time to dedicate to your furry friends. The skin on our pets has a higher pH which makes castile soap safe to use on them. This natural soap is also more affordable than most pet shampoos. When washing, wet your pet’s fur or coat first. Then, add a few drops of liquid castile or lather them up with a bar of soap. Scrub your pet with soap to clean them properly, then rinse and dry.
Mayca has shown how simple it is to make soap for cleaning the home with ingredients you may already have. So, when using castile soap, cleaning your floors and house will be a breeze. To mop, you can add one part liquid castile to ten parts hot water. For stain removal, apply bar soap directly to the affected area. You can also clean just about any surface with a bar of this soap and a wet brush.
Save money on household cleaning supplies and make your castile soap work double time. Using liquid castile or solid soap shavings, you can clean your clothes without all of the synthetic chemicals in most store-bought detergents. For small loads, add 70 mL of liquid castile. Large loads can use 120 mL of liquid castile. If you have a smaller washer, reduce these quantities by half.
Nowadays, people are used to buying dish soap and most commonly in liquid form. As the low impact and zero waste movements grow stronger, more people are re-learning how to use block soap to clean their homes. Whether you use liquid castile or a homemade soap bar, using a wet brush or sponge, you’ll be able to wash your dishes naturally and effectively. Happy cleaning!
Castile soap makes a great body wash for people regularly get really dirty such as gardeners or mechanics. It’s vital to dilute liquid castile, so add only a few drops to a wet loofah or cloth to create a powerful lather. In solid form, wet the soap bar to create a lather to massage directly onto the skin for a naturally powerful clean. If you are using solid soap that has superfatting, you shouldn’t have to worry about your skin drying out afterwards.
Castile soap is natural, safe to use, and can be very versatile in the home. Get more out of your soap with these six everyday uses for castile soap. If you’re searching for guidance on how to share your homemade creations with the world, read WapoBeauty’s eBook on How to Sell Your Skincare Legally in Ireland and the EU. For guided learning, check out our Complete Facial Skincare Online Course for Beginners and discover how to make professional, safe, and stable natural beauty products. Join the ranks of students who found this class valuable and rewarding!
Ashuni Pérez is an American writer based in Valencia, Spain. She has a passion for natural beauty and the environment. Ashuni loves to cycle and drink smoothies in the sun. Follow her on Instagram at @ashuuuuni
© 2024 Wapo.ie