All the Uses of Castile Soap: A Natural Solution for Home and Body
If you, like many others, are seeking natural alternatives to harsh, toxic soaps, castile soap may be the product for you.
Most natural soaps are created using a plant base such as shea butter, cocoa butter and/or carrier oils such as olive oil, castor oil etc. In contrast, many commercially available soaps are filled with harsh chemicals such as SLS (Sodium lauryl sulphate) and include ingredients that can dry out and irritate the skin (synthetic flavours, colourants etc).
If you’ve been wondering about all the recent fuss about pure castile soap, let’s dig a little deeper (and wash our hands afterwards).
What is Castile Soap?
Castile soap is a versatile vegetable-based soap made without animal fats or synthetic ingredients. This natural, nontoxic, and biodegradable soap is available in solid bar or liquid form.
The soap was traditionally made with olive oil as a base.
Castile soap is both environmentally friendly and effective for many purposes.
It can be used on the body, to clean the house, and even on pets. A bottle or bar of castile soap can potentially replace many other products in your home.
A brief history
Castile Soap has a much more fascinating history than your typical coconut-scented shower gel.
It’s named after the Castile region of Spain, where it was traditionally made with olive oil, which was readily available in the region. Because of the olive oil, the resulting soaps were pure white, very mild, and effective.
The whiteness was associated with purity, making it popular with Spanish royalty. Over the centuries, Castile soap spread throughout Europe and entered the British market in the mid-1500s.
What makes it eco-friendly?
Castile soap is a better choice for you and the planet because:
- It’s biodegradable.
- It’s not tested on animals (always double-check the brand you’re buying from).
- You can support local brands and small businesses.
- It’s plant-based (no animal products).
- It’s scent-free (no added synthetic fragrances; even essential oils are only added later).
- It’s free from artificial foaming agents, harsh cleansers, deconstructed fatty acids from vegetable oils or fats, petrochemicals or chemical antibacterial agents.
- A little goes a long way.
Heads up: Read labels carefully and choose products with clean vegetable-based ingredients. “Liquid soap” doesn’t mean “plant-based” nor “clean”.
Castile Soap Uses
Did you know that there are many uses for castile soap?
Some types of castile soap contain essential oils, while others are unscented. If you have unscented castile soap, you can add your own essential oils to the solutions mentioned below. You can adjust the recipes to your liking.
Household cleaning uses
Dish soap
Mix 1 part liquid castile soap with ten parts water to create a liquid dish soap.
Dishwasher detergent
Mix equal parts castile soap and water in a bottle to create a natural alternative to your usual dishwasher detergent.
Window cleaner
For a natural window cleaning spray, mix 1 tablespoon of castile soap in a litre of water. Rinse with clean water and dry the windows with newspaper.
All-purpose household cleaner
Make an all-purpose castile liquid cleaner by combining 1 to 2 cups of castile soap in a litre of water to form a cleaning spray.
Laundry detergent
Add 1/3 cup of liquid castile soap to a laundry load. Use less soap if you have a high-efficiency washing machine, which can be a great option for those sensitive to traditional store-bought detergents.
Mopping
To make your floors sparkle, add 1/3 cup of soap to 4 litres of hot water and mop as usual.
Toilet cleaner
Mix 1 cup of liquid castile soap with 4 cups of water in a spray bottle. Use this solution to clean your toilet.
Oven cleaner
Mix 1 cup of castile soap and 3 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake some baking soda and spray the cleaning solution on the area that needs to be cleaned. Use a sponge or brush to scrub away any dirt or grime.
Personal Care Uses
Skin and Hair Care
Liquid Castile Soap can be used as a body wash by squeezing a small amount into your hands, as a shampoo by mixing one tablespoon of soap with a cup of water, or as a face wash by rubbing a few drops onto your face and rinsing with water.
Deodorant
Castile soap can be used to make natural deodorant. Add 1/2 teaspoon of castile soap with 1 teaspoon of sea salt and 1 teaspoon of soda bicarbonate in a small container and rub in the underarm area as needed.
Hand soap
You can easily make your own hand soap or foaming hand soap. Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap to 1 cup of water. You can optionally add few drops of any essential oil such as Lavender or Tea Tree.. Fill your soap dispenser with the mixture.
Shaving
You can use castile soap in place of shaving cream. Lather up a bit of pure liquid castile soap in your hands and then apply it to the area you want to shave. You can add a small amount of a carrier oil (Jojoba, Baobab, Argan) to help moisturise your skin.
Makeup remover
Castile soap can be combined with witch hazel flower water and a carrier oil to make a natural makeup remover. Mix equal parts of all three ingredients and gently remove makeup with a cotton ball. Then, use a washcloth with warm water to remove any remaining residue.
Health and Wellness Uses
Wound cleaning
Castile soap can be used to clean minor wounds. Add 2 teaspoons of the liquid soap to 2 cups of filtered drinking water to create a cleansing solution. A 1999 animal study found that castile soap effectively healed wounds and lowered the rate of wound complications.
Pest Control and Gardening Uses
Ant spray
Mix 1/4 cup of soap with a litre of water to create a spray that can help repel ants from plants. Always conduct a small patch test on the plant before applying the spray to the entire plant.
Plant spray for bugs
To keep bugs off your plants, mix 1 tablespoon of castile soap in a litre of water to make a spray. 2 tablespoons of Neem Oil can be added for better results.
Benefits of Using Castile Soap
Castile soap is a natural and biodegradable alternative to harsh chemicals present in conventional foaming products.. It is gentle on the skin and hair, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin. Castile soap is a versatile and effective cleaning agent that can be used for various tasks. It is also a cost-effective option compared to traditional cleaning products.
The Organic Choice
At Organic Choice, we are committed to offering you the highest quality products, such as pure Castile Soap Products. We take special care to ensure that our products are backed by suppliers who can substantiate their claims with evidence.
Pure Simple Castile bar soap
All Pure Simple bar soaps are handmade using the cold process method with organic oils and fragranced only with pure essential oils. They are 100% natural and free of SLSs, synthetic fragrances, and dyes.
Fragrances: Grapefruit, Geranium, fragrance-free,
Pure Simple Castile liquid soap
Castile Liquid soap is a versatile product that can be used to wash delicate fabrics like wool, linen, and silk. It’s gentle enough for babies, young children, and people with delicate, sensitive, or allergy-prone skin.
Give these soaps a try today, or visit us online or in-store to explore our full range of products.