I’m a bit of a cleaning fanatic- I can’t relax and watch TV if I see specks of dust on the lampshade, and my husband can attest to my totally ‘rational’ meltdowns about dusty wood floors. I love cleaning products- I love the smell and I love using them, knowing I’m making my home clean. Since I’ve had my daughter, I’ve been more interested in learning about what products I’m using as I’m spraying them all over the house.
A Pinterest search for DIY cleaners led me down the beautiful path to my new love obsession- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap. First, a little history lesson, because if you’re like me, you’re wondering what the heck ‘Castile soap’ is, am I right? Centuries ago, soap was made is Spain’s Castile region from olive oil, and now, Castile soap refers to any vegetable oil-based soap, which guarantees a completely ecological, simple solution to cleaning. As a cleaning buff, I can attest to the fact that this stands up to the most potent cleaning products out there.
DIY Non-Toxic All Purpose Cleaner
Packaging
Where do I start with my love obsession? How about the packaging? Dr. Bronner had a mantra and philosophy: ‘all-one.’ This stemmed from his belief that all people are children of the same divine source- that we are ‘all one.’ Between this spiritual philosophy and his strong belief in eco-friendliness, Dr. Bronner created a peace plan boasting over 30,000 words in the form of directions on his labels for his ‘all-one’ vision for humanity.
Naturally, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap really is an all-in-one solution; in fact, while there are 18 official uses for the product, cult followers prove many more uses for this magic-like soap. The label is not only unique and fun to read, but it also makes me feel like I’m buying an old-timey classic treasure from an apocathery. It reminds me of my favorite lip balm, Smith’s Minted Rose, another multi-purpose, classic product that makes you feel special. But I digress.
Safety
From disinfecting your bathroom and bathing your baby to washing your fruit and brushing your teeth (yes, that’s right!), Dr. Bronner’s Soap truly is a safe, multipurpose solution to cleaning everything and every person (or animal) in your house. While this soap is not tear-free for babies, there is an unscented/mild baby version of the product that is a gentler choice. Plus, did you know lots of harmful chemicals are what actually make products tear-free? I feel comforted spraying this product around my house knowing it’s safe to wash my baby, fruit, and brush my teeth with.
Longevity
A little goes a long way with this product, making it a no-brainer purchase. Check out the ‘cheat sheet’ for dilution for various purposes. Depending on the use, a few drops or a squirt of the deliciously scented product is all you need, so one bottle will last you a while.
Scents
I’m on my first bottle of peppermint, and I’m not going to lie, I probably spent a good 15 minutes going back and forth between smelling the bottles. They’re all so delicious, but I’m very content with the peppermint scent. Other scents available that I will try include: almond, baby unscented, citrus, eucalyptus, lavender, rose, and tea tree.
Hi, I'm Lindsay!
Writer. Mom. Wife. Teacher. I'm passionate about family, manners, and learning and fervently stand up for (and write about) what I believe in. I strive to make myself and the world around me better through blogging. Don't forget to never say no to tea, cookie dough, peonies, or kindness.
My Favorite Posts
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All Purpose Cleaner
I will be writing various posts on the different uses of this product, but for now, I’ll start with the All-Purpose Cleaner.
Supplies:
- Empty spray bottle
- ¼ cup Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap (I bought mine at Target)
- Essential oil (optional)
- Quart of water
Fill your bottle with a quart of water- make sure your bottle is larger than a quart. Then add ¼ cup of Castile soap. Optional: add 10-15 drops of essential oil for scent or cleaning purposes. Tea tree is known for its antibacterial properties.
I used peppermint soap with lemon and tea tree/lavender essential oils and oh. My. Goodness. My house smells like a luxury spa. More posts to come with the different uses.
In the meantime, let me know how you like to use your Castile soap. What scents or combinations do you like best?
