Do you happen to have sensitivities or allergies to Blue Dawn? Is there something all-natural you could use instead that will not trigger reactions but still works well? Pure Castile soap is the answer. Olive-oil based Castile soap is popular and has been around for centuries. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap, discovered in 1858, is making a big, beautiful, all-natural comeback. Crystal Cleaning explains how to make natural cleaning products using Castile soap.
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Castile soap is available online and in grocery stores, health food stores, and discount department stores. It’s available in several versions, including an unscented option.
Dr. Bronner’s is not the only pure Castile soap option. Other brands of Castile liquid soap are equally suitable for cleaning recipes and household and personal uses, such as Almona, St. Clare, and Seven Minerals.
The following is a list of ways to use Castile soap around the house.
All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
To make an all-natural, all-purpose cleaning spray, add 1/4 cup pure Castile liquid soap to one-quart warm water and mix gently. Pour into a 32-ounce spray bottle. Use the mixture as you would any spray cleaner around the house. It is safe on granite and quartz counters and laminate surfaces. You can also add a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil to give the cleaner a fresh, pleasant fragrance.
To make a degreaser cleaning spray:
- Add 1/4 cup pure Castile liquid soap into a 32-ounce spray bottle.
- Fill it with warm water.
- Fill a second 32-ounce spray bottle with 1 cup white vinegar and warm water to fill.
- Spray greasy kitchen surfaces with the soap-water solution and clean them well with a soft cloth. Then spray the same surface with the vinegar-water solution to rinse, followed by another round with the soft fabric.
Rinsing granite or other natural stone surfaces with vinegar may, over time, dull and damage the stone’s sealant. When cleaning stone, use this rinsing method sparingly.
All-Natural Laundry Detergent
To make an all-natural laundry detergent with pure Castile liquid soap, follow the instructions below:
- Pour 1 cup pure Castile liquid soap into a one-gallon container.
- Add 3/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup sea salt.
- Fill the receptacle to the top with warm water. Mix well.
- To Use: Add 1/4 cup of this laundry detergent to a typical-sized load of laundry.
This laundry detergent is especially useful for those that are sensitive to chemicals and fragrances.
Liquid Dish Soap
The formula for dish soap is ten parts water to one part one-part pure Castile liquid soap, i.e., one tablespoon Castile soap and ten tablespoons water.
Make a bottle to keep handy at the kitchen sink, or use the concentration formula on the fly as you fill a basin to wash dishes.
For tough spots on pots and pans or other items, squirt a few drops of full-strength pure Castile liquid soap on the area. Then, finish up with your favorite scrubber. After you’ve hand washed your dishes with castile soap and rinsed them, dip them in a sink of vinegar water to sanitize them. Allow them to air dry for best results.
Tub and Shower Soap Scum Remover
You can make a more robust cleaner that will melt soap scum from the walls, doors, tubs, and shower floor. First, fill a 32-ounce spray bottle 1/3 of the way with pure Castile liquid soap, then fill the rest of the way with warm water.
Spray down the areas and allow them to sit for a few hours. Rinse well with water. For callous spots with signs of mold and mildew, sprinkle with baking soda. Then, follow by spraying with white vinegar to activate the baking soda.
You may need to scrub some areas a bit before rinsing the areas thoroughly. You’ll be amazed to see all the gunk and scum flow down the drain to leave beautifully clean, sparkling surfaces.
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Stay tuned for next week’s post to provide more ways to create natural cleaning products for the various rooms in your home. Crystal Cleaning explains how to make natural cleaning products using Castile soap part two!
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