Switch to Castile Soap for a toxic-free cleaning

January 20, 2022

To stay away from chemical-laden cleaners and detergents, you need to introduce castile soap for cleaning and beauty. Castile soap is natural and biodegradable and leaves no after-usage effects.

Introduction

Our cleaning products have toxic chemicals in them. Yes, they have instant cleaning properties but do you know how dangerous they are for our health and aquatic life.

To stay away from chemical-laden cleaners and detergents, you need to introduce a natural soap to your grocery shopping list. You heard it right; this natural soap which is castile soap is biodegradable and non-toxic and will deliver the same result as its chemical counterparts.

Now when you know about the existence of this alternate, let’s know more about this product.

What is castile soap?

Originated in Spain’s Castile region, this soap was traditionally made from olive oil and sodium carbonate. Unlike most soap used today which are derived from animal fat, castile soap proved to be a vegan and eco-friendly option for everyday cleaning and washing requirements.

Today variety of oils like coconut, jojoba, and hemp oil is used instead of olive oil, based on the requirement of cleansing and lathering properties.

Being used as a body wash for your pet to a non-toxic body wash for you or your everyday cleaning requirements, this soap can act as a single solution for your chemical-free living.

How to use castile soap

We have already created hype about castile soap being a multipurpose cleaner. So let’s see how you can replace all your cleaning products with this soap.

1. Hand Wash

Mix 1/8 cup of castile soap in 2 cups of water with tea tree oil, mix it well, and this mixture is now ready to be used as a hand cleaner. Where castile soap is a disinfectant, it’s advisable to add tea tree oil for anti-bacterial properties.

Shake well before using, if you find soap settling at the bottom of soap dispenser.

2. Body and Face wash

You can apply concentrated soap directly to your skin. This acts as a great body and face cleanser.

Also, castile soap is beneficial for oily, acne-prone skin, which will clean your skin gently without drying it out.

3. Shampoo

Castile soap is a mild cleaner and removes oil and dirt buildups from your scalp. But I would suggest testing it if it works well for your hair type to meet your scalp requirements.

Frank opinion, this did not go well for my hair (though I don’t have chemically treated hair) but, I have seen many people getting effective results from this soap.

If you are planning to give this a try, simply dilute the castile soap in water, advisably 1tbsp in a cup of water or you can even adjust this ratio per your requirement.

4. Shaving cream

Mix castile soap and a little amount of coconut oil, lather it properly, and apply to the targeted area. This mixture will act as a great lubricant for the skin and will prevent rough shaving.

5. Household cleaner

Prepare a solution of one tablespoon of castile soap in two cups of water, to get a natural cleaner. You can use this to clean windows, tabletops, or any other household cleaning task you wish to cater to.

6. Garden

This acts as a great insecticide and fungicide for your plants. To prepare the solution, mix 1 tablespoon of castile soap in 3 cups of water. Mix the mixture well and spray it on your plants.

This can be a great solution for the pests harming your plants.

7. Sinus

Castile soap is a great remedy in curing sinuses. Add in a few drops of peppermint oil and a tablespoon of castile soap in a bowl of boiling water. Taking steam from this mixture can help you relieve from headache and the sinus.

Please carefully monitor the temperature of boiling water to not to cause any burns to your skin.

8. Detergent

Dump the chemicals you have been using for cleaning your laundry or for your dishes. For washing dishes, mix 1 portion of castile soap in 10 portions of water. And if you are using it for your laundry, half-cup of concentrated soap is enough for a large load.

Pro tip: don’t forget to add half a tablespoon of vinegar to the rinse cycle while washing your clothes.

9. Pet wash

Wet the coat of your dog, take a few drops of castile soap, and lather it properly. Use this as a gentle cleaner for your dog.

This is a mild solution for your pet to relieve it from harmful chemical-equipped body washes.

10. Makeup remover

Dump the harsh chemicals you have been using on your face. A mixture of castile soap and coconut oil can be a great choice to get rid of your makeup and also be gentle to your skin.

This can also be used to clean your makeup brushes also. All you need to do is mix the soap in warm water and dunk in your brushes to get residual-free makeup brushes.

Caution

Yes, castile soap is natural but has its negativities too. There are a few things you need to remember while using castile soap.

Don’t mix it with acids like lemon or vinegar. Castile soap being a base, if mixed with acid will leave behind a white film that will only double the mess of your cleaning.
It is not advisable to use castile soap on color-treated hair as it may wash off the color from your hair. Also, if you are feeling dried-up hair after using castile soap, follow your hair wash with an apple cider vinegar.
Though castile soap is natural, it is still advisable to do a patch test on your skin to check for any rashes or allergies after its usage.
Avoid using castile soap with hard water. Always prefer soft water while diluting the soap.
Don’t overuse it on your plants as overusing can damage your plants. Use whenever required and if needed reduce the quantity of castile soap in water.

Conclusion

Castile soap has been a great solution in meeting all your cleaning requirements. You can add carrier oil for extra moisturization to your skin. Though it is safe to use but if you report any reaction from its usage you can opt for other natural cleaners you can easily find on your kitchen shelf.

FAQ

What is castile soap good for?

Castile soap is an environmentally friendly option that can be used as a deodorant, home cleaner, detergent alternate, body wash, and to clean plants. Basically, it is a perfect replacement for the chemically laden surfactants that you use.

What is the difference between castile soap and regular soap?

Castile soap is similar to ordinary soap; however, it is far more environmentally friendly. It is created from a variety of oils, including coconut, jojoba, and hemp oil.

What are the disadvantages of castile soap?

As such, castile soaps have no harmful effects, but are generally seen to give mild dryness to certain people (you can definitely have a sample test for yours too). For more care tips, you can refer to the caution section of the article.

Is castile soap 100% natural?

Traditional castile soaps are 100% natural as they are made from oils. But many brands might be selling different products under the name castile soap. Hence, it is recommended to buy from the one that you really trust.

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