I found some recipes online, tried them, played with them, and came up with my own recipes. I loved making my own cleaning products because I saved a lot of money and because if I ran out of something, I could just make more. Most cleaning product recipes use many of the same ingredients, so I just have to keep those on hand to make more of my products.
One of the ingredients that I always try to keep on the shelf is liquid castile soap because it's so versatile. Seriously, you'd be amazed at what all you can use it for!
15 LIQUID CASTILE SOAP USES
Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission from sales.WHAT IS LIQUID CASTILE SOAP?
Castile soap originates from the Castile region in Spain. Traditionally, it is made with olive oil, so it's a very gentle soap. Olive oil makes a wonderful moisturizing bar of soap, but it doesn't lather well. Most soap makers use other vegetable oils in addition to olive oil so the bar will later better.
Some people call a soap that is made with olive oils and other oils a bastile soap because it's not a true castile soap. You can find a great recipe for a cold processed bastile soap here.
Castile soap can be in a bar form or liquid form. I keep both on the shelf for cleaning.
Castile soap, like all soaps, work because they have a molecule that attracts water on one end while the other end avoids water. When you combine soap with water, it created charged atoms that actually attract dirt and non-water soluble substances (like grease and oil!).
That's why this soap is gentle enough to use on your baby yet strong enough to clean greasy messes in the kitchen.
Unlike commercial cleaners, it's nontoxic. It's also biodegradable and safe for septic systems.
I do want to note that Castile soap is alkaline. Do not mix it with vinegar because they cancel each other out. It can also leave a white film on whatever you're cleaning if you mix them to clean.
HOW TO MAKE LIQUID CASTILE SOAP
If you have a bar of castile soap, you can make liquid castile soap.
I've done this several times, but it isn't uniform. The water will separate, and you'll have to shake it often. It's great for cleaning, but it didn't work in a hand soap dispenser very well.
Now I buy my liquid castile soap. I've used Dr. Bronner's soap before. It's good stuff, but it's kind of expensive. I now get mine from Crafty Bubbles.
I don't make a full batch of liquid castile soap anymore, but I do make a liquid castile soap concentrate. I use it to mop my floors and clean my house (more about that later though). It's easy to make and stores in a quart sized mason jar. One jar lasts me several months.
LIQUID CASTILE SOAP USES
SHAMPOO
Liquid castile soap makes a gentle natural shampoo. It's strong enough cut through oil, but it's gentle on your scalp. Personally, I don't use it often because it doesn't have a strong lather. I have super thick hair, so I need lather or I can't get my head clean. But in a pinch, yep, it works.
I do use it in my DIY clarifying shampoo to get product buildup out of my hair. For a customizeable shampoo try this easy basic shampoo recipe and use the herbs and essential oils that are right for your hair.
BODY WASH
You can also use liquid castile soap to wash your body. It's very gentle, so it's great for those with eczema or other skin conditions. Try this DIY liquid soap with neem oil for people or pets.
HAND SOAP
I switched to liquid castile soap for hand soap a few years ago because of the eczema on my hands. I add a carrier oil and essential oils to make different soaps, but the basic formula is the same. I really like my DIY liquid eczema hand soap recipe, but you can use different carrier oils to suit your needs.
FACE SOAP
Yes, you really can use this soap all over your body. Again, you can add the carrier oils and essential oils that are best for your skin. If you have acne prone skin, try this activated charcoal facial cleaner recipe.
SHAVING SOAP
If you're out of shaving cream, lather a few drops of liquid castile soap between your hands and use as a natural shaving soap. It doesn't lather a lot, but it will protect your skin while you shave.
DOG SHAMPOO
Yes, you can even wash your pooch with liquid castile soap. If your dog has dry skin, try adding some carrier oils to nourish his or her skin.
DISHES
Contrary to what commercials tell you, you don't need bubbles to get your dishes clean. Just add a few drops of liquid castile soap to your dishwater and scrub away. You won't have many suds, but it will get your dishes clean.
MOPPING
I use liquid castile soap from my concentrate to mop my floors. I have original hardwood from when the house was built in the late 1800s, hardwood from the 1970s, vinyl, and laminate. I use castile soap on all of them. Use 2 tablespoons per gallon of hot water. Sometimes I add some baking soda or borax to the castile soap for more scrubbing power.
GENERAL CLEANING
I mix up a bucket with 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap with a gallon of hot water to scrub my house. I use it on walls, cabinets, and pretty much everything but wood furniture or the outside of my stainless fridge. Of all of the liquid castile soap uses, this is the one that I use the most in my home.
WINDOWS
For my weekly cleaning, I use a homemade window cleaner, but I do use liquid castile soap to clean the outside of my windows. I also use it on my double patio doors because they get really dirty on the outside thanks to living next to a corn field.
SCRUBBING CLEANER
Sprinkle baking soda on tough grime. Then spray diluted castile soap over it and scrub.
LAUNDRY
Use liquid castile soap on stains to help them come out in the wash. You can also use it to wash bedding to remove dust mites. Add 1/3 cup (half of that for HE) to each wash and use vinegar in the rinse cycle.
BUG SPRAY
As gentle as castile soap is on your skin and hair, it's not so good for ants and bugs. Mix a tablespoon with a quart of water and spray ants. It works quickly too, and it's safe to use in the kitchen.
VEGGIE WASH
I know! I'm telling you that you can use it to kill ants and then telling you that you can wash your food with it. Yes, it really is that versatile. You only need about 1/4 of a teaspoon of castile soap for a sink full of water to wash your fruits and veggies. Rinse well.
MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER
Use liquid castile soap diluted in warm water to wash your makeup brushes. Gently clean until the water runs clear. Then rinse well and lay flat.
Did you know about all of these liquid castile soap uses?
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