It’s easier than you think to create your natural products. Here are five suggestions for transforming one bar of castile soap into something useful around your home!
Castile is a plant-based all-natural version of synthetic soaps.
Just So Natural Products offers an all-natural, chemical-free Coconut Castile soap. This recipe uses the same oils that we use in our kitchen. Check out our Signature Coconut Castile soap here. Other sources for Castile soap include Kirk’s and Dr. Bronner’s.
5 DIY Castile Soap Recipes
1. Laundry Powder
1 c. washing soda
1 c. borax
4 oz. grated soap
For my powdered soap, I prefer using old-fashioned lard soap.It cleans more efficiently. Find out more about this soap here.
Combine and use 1-2 tablespoons per load. For more on this powdered laundry recipe sees DIY Laundry Soap.
2. Bug Spray
Two cups witch hazel
One teaspoon liquid castile soap
20 drops citronella essential oil
20 drops lemongrass essential oil
Combine in a spray bottle and shake vigorously before each use.
3. Liquid Castile Soap
Grate 4 oz. bar of castile soap and combine with 4 c. hot water. Stir until soap pieces dissolve. Optional: add 2 tbsp. Vegetable glycerin (available at health food stores or online).
Transfer to glass jar and cover. This liquid soap can be used in numerous recipes, including those on this list.
This version of liquid castile soap will be cloudy and will need to be shaken periodically. This is purely aesthetic and perfectly healthy. (True liquid castile soap traditionally uses potassium hydroxide rather than sodium hydroxide, which mixes without clouding.)
4. Dish Soap
1 c. liquid castile soap (see recipe #3)
1 tbsp. white vinegar
1 tbsp. washing soda (to thicken mixture)
5 drops tea tree oil or essential oil of choice (optional)
5 drops grapefruit seed extract for added disinfection (optional)
Combine in a liquid soap dispenser. Dilute if desired.
5. Soft Scrubber
1/4 – 1/2 c. liquid castile soap (see recipe #3)
1 c. baking soda
5 drops tea tree oil or essential oil(s) of choice
Combine in bottle and shake. Add enough water to make a thick liquid paste. Apply to sponge or directly to surface and wipe with damp cloth or sponge. Rinse with water.
Another option? Sprinkle baking soda over the surface. Follow this with a light sprinkling of liquid castile soap. I use this method as I find it much simpler. Either way – it’s extremely useful.
Other ways to use one bar soap include dog shampoo, bubble bath and more. See momsAWARE’s 12 Things To Do with One Bar of Soap.
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I tried to make the liquid castile soap using Dr. Bronner’s unscented. After it cooled off, it solidified. I thought it was supposed to be liquid. How do I use it?
Heidi,
I would add more boiling water – eventually there will be enough water to keep it diluted. I have not worked with Dr. Bronner’s directly so if this does not work I’d like to hear!
The first time I tried the liquid castile soap recipe it gelled up as well and didn’t want to stay liquid. I added more boiling water and it gelled up again. I have used it all up now with different things. The other day I made more using Kirks Castile soap bars and it worked great! Nice liquid that gets nice and sudsy. So I am thinking it was the bar soap I used the first time that just didn’t work. I think it was Dr Bronners bar soap but can’t remember for sure.
This is very helpful, Rachael. I need to tweak this post to reflect this experience. Thank you for sharing!!