Keep yourself, your home and your planet clean with this versatile favorite. Castile soap benefits you and the environment. Here are our favorite ways to use it.
We all appreciate clean homes and high standards of hygiene, but unfortunately, many commercial cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds that can be extremely harmful to us and the environment. Inheriting its name from its native region in Spain, castile soap does not contain any and is completely natural. Versatile, affordable, and always plant-based, the non-toxic and biodegradable properties of castile soap benefits every household and the planet.
Traditionally, this soap is made from olive oil and lye and is sometimes mixed with other natural oils — like hemp, coconut and walnut — to give it moisturizing and lathering properties. It is free from animal products and testing, contains no synthetic ingredients, and is available in bar or liquid form. Castile soap is highly concentrated and can be purchased in large quantities, which cuts down on cost and packaging waste. So, whether you want to clean makeup brushes, clean a stainless steel stove or just clean your face, this can help you out and could replace a variety of products in your home.
1. Let Castile Soap Benefit Your Skin And Make Your Own Shower Gel
Whether you decide to take a shower or a bath, washing with Castile soap will give your skin a refreshing glow without releasing any harmful chemicals into your body or down the drain pipe. Create your own gel wash by mixing 2 tablespoons of liquid Castile soap with 12 ounces of water. Soap can sometimes cause drying of the skin, so you can add some natural moisturizers — like avocado or coconut oil — to replenish the skin’s moisture. The blend can be used safely as a shampoo, but be careful with dyed hair as Castile soap can lighten the color.
A few drops of your favorite essential oils will bring added fragrance while adding 1/2 a teaspoon of natural raw honey will complete the ultimate skin experience. Research reveals that honey has several health benefits — including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. If you treat yourself to a relaxing bath with your new body wash, try adding in a homemade bath bomb or DIY bath salts and truly soak away your stress and strain.
2. Feel The Soothing Properties By Making Your Own Hand Soap
You can easily make your own DIY foaming hand soap with Castile soap and let your hands experience its cleansing and antibacterial benefits without any harmful chemicals. Reduce waste and refill empty dispensers by mixing 2 tablespoons of soap with 12 ounces of water. Personalize your mixture by adding a carrier oil, like olive oil, and some essential oils. An ideal carrier for your DIY hand soap, coconut oil is full of health benefits — like moisturizing vitamin E and antimicrobial lauric acid.
3. Clean Makeup Brushes The Natural Way
Rinse your brushes in warm water first. Add a few drops of Castile soap to a cup of hot water and allow the brushes to soak for 10-15 minutes. Rinse again in cold water and allow the brushes to air dry. Castile soap can even be used to wash water-based paintbrushes this way. Be careful not to run the tap too forcefully and save water as much as you can no matter what you are washing.
4. Add Castile Soap To Your Daily Cleansing Routine
Castile soap is not only ideal for removing makeup from brushes, it also gently removes makeup from your face. Mixing the liquid soap with equal parts of witch hazel and a carrier oil — like almond oil — makes a beautifully rich and moisturizing cleanser. Its antimicrobial properties will also help to eliminate spots and blackheads. Simply dab the mixture on a cotton pad and smooth over your face and neck. Rinse with tepid water to remove any residue. For the total skin boost, try making a DIY facial toner and enjoy the soft, glowing complexion.
5. Use Castile Soap to Wash your Pet
Castile soap not only benefits human skin, but is also suitable for our loyal, furry friends. Many animal shampoos contain unnecessary chemicals and ingredients that can irritate both canine skin and the environment. Castile soap works in harmony with both, so let your dog experience a natural hydration in the knowledge that no other animals were harmed to create the bubbles. Essential oils can be toxic to animals, so sticking to an unscented blend is best. Again, mix 2 tablespoons of Castile liquid soap with 12 ounces of water. Finish the job completely and protect your dog by applying a natural flea repellent and natural tick repellent.
5. Replace Shaving Foam With Your Multipurpose Soap
Castile soap can also be used in place of traditional shaving creams and foams due to its hydrating and protective properties. Once you discover its multiple benefits and uses, you might just find yourself replacing the clutter in your shower with one versatile product and a razor. Mixed with other natural oils, the soap lathers beautifully, which makes it ideal for shaving. Add four to five drops of concentrated soap to wet hands and rub them into wet skin. Then shave, rinse and feel the smooth, soft finish.
6. Bring Benefits Beyond The Bathroom And Make A Homemade Deodorant
Castile is no ordinary soap and can also be used as a homemade deodorant. Many deodorants and antiperspirants come in plastic, tin, or other non-recyclable or non-degradable materials. They are among the many personal care products that are linked to growing environmental hazards, with research comparing these products to motor emissions. So, making the simple switch will benefit your skin and the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. Add 1/2 teaspoon of castile soap and 1 teaspoon of sea salt to a small spray bottle and use in the underarm area as needed. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the blend for anti-bacterial and subsequent deodorizing effects.
7. Cleanse Wounds Without Medicated Solutions
Because Castile soap is only made from two natural ingredients — olive oil and lye — it is perfect for sensitive skin. It also holds anti-microbial properties and is beneficial in cleansing wounds and cuts. It has even been studied in the medical treatment of open wounds. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid soap to 1 cup of filtered water to make a would cleaning solution. Use it with diluted jasmine oil on chronic wounds or tea tree oil to encourage healing.
8. Reduce Consumption With Only One Versatile Home Cleaning Solution
You can literally wash just about everything in your home — from the toilet to the dirty linen — with this precious product. Replace that range of cleaning products with one natural, biodegradable soap that makes more than your skin sparkle. Castile soap’s benefits are endless when it comes to cleaning. It can be mixed with most other natural ingredients but does not mix well with lemon juice or vinegar as this can leave a white residue.
Add 1/4 cup to your laundry instead of detergent and make sure your machine only pumps out stains and waste that can harmonize with the environment. Add a homemade fabric softener for added comfort and freshness. Always use an eco cycle and save as much water and energy as you can.
Wash your dishes by adding 1 part soap to 10 parts water or wash your floors by adding 1/2 cup of soap to 3 gallons of hot water. Spend less time scrubbing and whiz around your house easily by making your own all-purpose spray. Simply mix 1/4 cup of castile soap with 1 quart of warm water and recycle an empty spray bottle. Sprinkle some baking soda on your surfaces to create a natural scrub or save your own energy by using the blend to clean copper pots and pans.
9. Remove Ants From Your Home And Garden Without Harmful Pesticides
Despite its range of benefits and versatility, a few creatures on the planet do not love castile soap as much as we do. Ants hate it — making it a perfect insecticide for your garden. Add 1/4 cup of soap to a quart of water to make a spray that can be used to keep ants away from plants. Always test it on a few leaves before using it on the entire plant, and if your greenery is of the sensitive variety, use a more dilute mixture.
Alternatively, if you want to remove ants or other critters from your home, add tea tree oil to a more concentrated solution and say goodbye to the creepy-crawlies forever. This proven sanitizer can also defend against bacteria, viruses and fungi among a wealth of other benefits for health and household.
Read more:
- Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Two All-Natural Recipes
- The Best Way to Clean Tile Floors Without Chemicals
- 4-Ingredient All-Natural Laminate Floor Cleaner
- Water Conservation: 10 Tips on How to Save Water at Home
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