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Due to its usefulness and versatility, coming up with a comprehensive list of Castile soap uses could take a lifetime! From head-to-toe body care to everyday cleaning, laundry, and pet care, Castile soap is the ultimate do-it-all soap for your home and body, and we’ll be exploring some of the best ways to use it throughout this post.
But first, a quick review: What is Castile soap, how does it differ from other soaps, and why is it such a popular product?
What Is Castile Soap?
All soaps are made from fat, but whereas most soaps are made with animal fats, Castile soap is made with vegetable oils. This unique soap originated in the Castile region of Spain (hence the name, which is sometimes misspelled “Castille”) where it was made using locally-produced olive oil. Some manufacturers still make Castile soap with olive oil today, while others use coconut, hemp, avocado, almond, walnut, and other vegetable oils.
Regardless of its base, Castile soap is typically concentrated, biodegradable, and cleans gently, yet effectively. It can be used in a dizzying number of different ways — not least as a great all-purpose cleaner! Below, you can read about some of my favorite uses for Castile soap and learn more about its various benefits!
25 Uses For Castile Soap For Your Body, Home & More
1. Natural Body Wash
Castile soap makes a great body wash, both on its own or as an ingredient in a 4-ingredient natural body wash. Moisturizing honey and skin-nourishing oils are the perfect additions to Castile soap’s cleansing properties, and the finished product doesn’t contain harsh detergents or synthetic ingredients.
2. Gentle All-Purpose Cleaner
You can use Castile soap to make a gentle all-purpose cleaning spray that’s perfect for cleaning everyday messes. Just add 1/4 cup of the soap to 1 quart of warm water, then stir and pour the solution into a spray bottle.
Add a few drops of lemon oil or tea tree oil to your spray for an antibacterial boost (or use Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Castile Liquid Soap, which already has tea tree oil in its formula!)
3. Reusable Cleaning Wipes
Store-bought antibacterial wipes are certainly convenient for wiping down countertops and other surfaces, but they’re also expensive and create unnecessary waste. But you can use Castile soap to make your own kitchen cleaning wipes that are just as convenient and reusable to boot!
4. Fruit & Veggie Wash
Use Castile soap to remove dirt and other impurities from your fresh produce. Fill your sink or a large bowl with water, then add 1/4 teaspoon of Castile soap and swish your produce items around in the water to remove dirt and debris. Rinse the produce under cool running water, pat it dry, and it’ll be clean and ready to eat!
5. Foaming Hand Wash
One of my personal favorite ways to use Castile soap is in my favorite natural foaming hand soap recipe. All you need to make it is some Castile soap, a bit of coconut oil, some germ-fighting essential oils, and a foaming hand soap bottle. It’s a great money-saver, and I love that it leaves my hands feeling clean, but not dried out.
6. Deter Ants
To make a spray that will help deter ants, add 1/4 cup of tea tree Castile soap to 1 quart of warm water. (If you can’t find this variety, you can use plain or unscented Castile soap and add 6-8 drops of tea tree essential oil to get the same effect.) Pour the soap solution into a spray bottle, then spritz it over areas where you’ve spotted ants hanging around. (Keep it away from plants though, as it may burn them!)
I’ve got plenty more useful advice on how to get rid of common ants and how to get rid of sugar ants elsewhere on my website!
7. “Soft Scrub” Cleanser
Use Castile soap to make your own homemade “Soft Scrub” style abrasive cleanser, which also contains baking soda to help scrub away tough grime. Perfect for scrubbing out sinks, bathtubs, and more!
8. Baby Soap
Castile soap is very gentle, making it a great option to use on sensitive baby skin! Add 1 ounce of soap to 2 ounces of purified or distilled water, along with 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil, if desired. Use the solution to wash your baby as usual, taking care to keep the soapy water out of their eyes.
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9. Oil Soap Garden Spray
For gardeners, insect infestations, fungal infections, and other diseases are very real threats! Luckily, you can use Castile soap and neem oil to make a DIY oil soap garden spray that will act as a natural insecticide and fungicide! My daughter Britta has had luck using this spray in her vegetable garden to protect her squash and zucchini plants from powdery mildew.
10. Shaving Cream
Rub some Castile soap (a little goes a long way!) between your wet hands to create a luscious lather for shaving. The oils in the soap will help the razor glide across your skin to prevent razor burn and nicks. Use it on your face, underarms, legs, or anywhere, really!
11. Dog Shampoo
Because it’s so gentle, Castile soap makes a great dog shampoo too! Just wet your dog’s coat and work a small amount of soap into it until you achieve a good lather. Continue shampooing, then rinse well — once their coat dries, it will be clean, shiny, and fresh!
12. Dishwashing Solution
You can even use Castile soap while hand washing dishes! Fill your sink with 10 parts warm water and 1 part soap, then use the solution to wash and rinse your dishes as usual. To make a dishwashing liquid you can store in a bottle, use 1 1/2 cups of water, 1/2 cup of Castile soap, and 1 tablespoon of washing soda. Put it into a pump bottle or squeeze bottle and mix well.
13. Honey Facial Cleanser
Castile soap is a star ingredient in one of my favorite DIY beauty concoctions: a homemade honey facial cleanser. Honey acts as a humectant, helping to attract and retain moisture in your skin, and offers a dose of skin-nourishing antioxidants as well! Best of all, this cleanser washes away dirt and impurities without stripping away natural oils.
14. Window Cleaner
If your windows could use a good cleaning, Castile soap can help power through the grime. Add 1 tablespoon of soap to 1 quart of water, then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray liberally onto your windows, then scrub with a sponge or scouring pad. Rinse with club soda or a mixture of 1 part water and 1 part vinegar for clean, shiny windows.
15. Toilet Touch-Ups
Castile soap can help you keep your toilet clean and fresh between more thorough cleanings. Just put a few drops of soap into your toilet, give it a quick swish with your toilet brush, then flush.
16. Foot Scrub
Get silky smooth, sandal-ready feet with a quick and easy scrub! Combine 1 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of Castile soap, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, and 4 drops of peppermint essential oil, then use it to scrub away dry skin for softer feet!
17. Banish Dust Mites From Bedding
To kill and eliminate dust mites from your bedding, add 1/3 cup of Castile soap to your washing machine along with your bedding, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar into the fabric softener cup or dispenser. (Have an HE washer? Use 2-3 tablespoons of soap and 1/4 cup of vinegar instead.) Wash the bedding with hot water, then dry it with your dryer’s hottest setting.
18. Clear Sinus Congestion
Castile soap with added essential oils can help clear sinus congestion. Just fill a large bowl with hot water and add a squeeze of peppermint soap or eucalyptus soap, then lean over the bowl and drape a towel over your head to trap the steam. Breathe deeply, and your airways will feel clearer in no time.
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19. Mopping Solution
Make a simple and effective mopping solution by adding 1/2 cup of Castile soap to 3 gallons of hot water. Dip a mop into the solution and mop your way to clean, shiny floors!
20. Makeup Brush Cleaner
Castile soap also makes a gentle cleaning solution for makeup brushes. Once a month, squirt a small amount of soap into a bowl, then fill the rest of the bowl with warm water. Swish your brushes around in the soapy water, then rinse them with cool water until it runs clear. Allow the brushes to dry completely before using them again.
21. Gentle Feminine Cleanser
Castile soap, along with other natural ingredients like coconut oil and witch hazel, can make a natural intimate cleaner that’s both gentle and refreshing.
22. Makeup Remover
Make a simple makeup remover solution by combining equal amounts of Castile soap, witch hazel, and the carrier oil of your choice. Apply the mixture to a soft cloth or cotton pad and use it to gently remove your eye makeup.
23. Homemade Citrus Degreaser
Combine lemon essential oil with a bit of baking soda and Castile soap, and you’ve got the best homemade degreaser spray around! Greasy kitchen messes won’t know what hit them.
24. Laundry Soap
To a gallon of water, add 1 cup of liquid Castile soap, 3/4 cup of baking soda, and 1/4 cup of sea salt or epsom salt and mix well. Use about 1/4 cup of this homemade laundry soap per load, or 2 tablespoons per load in HE machines. This gentle and effective formula is ideal for washing clothes for babies or people with sensitive skin or allergies.
25. All-Purpose Cleaner (Option #2)
Looking for an all-purpose cleaning solution with a bit more oomph? Combine Castile soap with powerhouse cleaners like washing soda and borax to make my favorite DIY all-purpose spray cleaner. It’s a versatile stain fighter and cleaner that can handle just about any task, from sticky countertops to grimy appliances.
BONUS: Turn A Bar Of Castile Soap Into Liquid Castile Soap
Bars of Castile soap are often cheaper than the liquid variety, so you can save money by turning those bars into liquid soap at home! Just chop a bar of soap into tiny pieces, then place them in a pint jar and fill it with boiling water. Let it sit for around 20 minutes, then stir well until the melted soap and water have combined completely. How easy is that?
What are your favorite Castile soap uses?
