Earlier this month, I kicked off a series on my favorite products with a post on gluten-free meal bars I love. Today, I’d like to share my ever-growing infatuation with Dr. Bronner’s liquid soaps. Certified Fair Trade, USDA Certified Organic, and Oregon Tilth Certified Organic, these pure soaps are made from coconut, olive, hemp, and jojoba oils with essential oils for natural fragrance. You can’t get much simpler or more natural than this. Scents to fall in love with include Eucalyptus, Rose, Citrus, Almond, Lavendar, Baby Mild, Tea Tree, and Peppermint. Although I would love to try the Citrus some day, I always go for the Peppermint because it’s easy to find and smells so fresh and clean.
But what do I do with the soap? I’m glad you asked!
1) I make my own disinfectant all-purpose cleaner.
In an empty, clean spray bottle, I mix 3 cups warm water with 1 tablespoon Borax (available at grocery stores, Target, and Walmart) and 1 to 2 teaspoons Dr. Bronner’s peppermint liquid castile soap. I twist on the lid, shake to mix thoroughly, and I’m ready to attack those toilets!
2) I mop with it.
As I fill a mopping bucket with hot water, I add 2 to 4 squirts of Dr. Bronner’s peppermint liquid castile soap, depending on how much water I’m using. I love how clean my house smells after I mop the kitchen tile with this mixture!
3) I use it as hand soap and body wash.
This is a new idea for us. After discovering through the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database that my beloved Jason products aren’t as pure as I’d thought, I have been looking for alternatives. Dr. Bronner’s is the simplest of replacements. As I run out of my hand soaps and body washes, I’m filling the empty bottles with 1/2 Dr. Bronner’s and 1/2 water (a little of this soap goes a long way). Not only is this better for our bodies, it’s cheaper too. Plus, we still smell good.
4) I use it to wash the cars.
Um, actually, I don’t use it to wash the cars. My husband does that. But I am the one who adds two tablespoons to the bucket of warm water he uses. That counts for something, right?
5) I use it as a daily toilet bowl cleaner.
I have a toilet brush holder next to my toilet that I keep filled with water and a little Dr. Bronner’s. Every day, I take out the brush and do a superfast swish around the toilet bowl to keep it clean and smelling great. (This daily toilet-bowl-swish routine is an idea I got from FlyLady)
This is just the tip of the iceburg, of course. I can’t wait to discover new ways to use Dr. Bronner’s. I’ve heard of people employing it for everything from washing their clothes to brushing their teeth! The soaps enjoy quite a cult following. I can see why. They’re good for the body and the environment, they’re ethically produced, and they simplify cleaning supplies. This last benefit also means that the soaps save me lots of money. Since I can use one product for so many different tasks, I don’t need to buy overpriced specialty cleaners all the time. Yes, indeed, Dr. Bronner’s works for me.
To find Dr. Bronner’s soaps yourself, check out the official Dr. Bronner website. You can read all about the ingredients, the history of the company, and their new products. (Their amazingly pure shampoos and conditioners sound great! I’d use them if I wasn’t so happy with my new no ‘poo do.) Although you can order straight off of their website, I recommend checking out www.vitacost.com. Vitacost won’t have the same kind of selection, but their prices can’t be beat! Personally, I’m more than happy to keep using Peppermint instead of Citrus if it means I can save money ($8.34 for 32 oz from Vitacost vs. $14.49 from the Dr. Bronner website). If you just want to give the soap a trial run to see if you like it, try hitting up your local HEB or health food store.
Does it really work as a stand-alone toilet cleaner, or do you eventually have to clean the bowl more thoroughly with something else?
I do eventually use a toilet bowl cleaner (Ecover brand) since Dr. Bronner’s is not disinfectant, but I don’t feel the need to do it as often. By swishing the bowl daily or almost daily, it always looks clean. Dr. Bronner’s really is sufficient for that. I probably use a disinfectant only twice per month.
dr. bronner’s is overpriced. Right next to it at trader joes is pure castile soap for 2.99.
for a twice as big bottle for half the price.
Yes, but Trader Joe’s is not fair trade certified – it may not even be organic…
That is what is important to me.
I love the soap – I stumbled into this blog looking for ‘recipes’ for household cleaners. Thanks so much –
Next, I’m going to use it as laundry detergent.
i use Dr.Bonners for everything. It is USDA Cert Organic. Not many product are USDA Cert. Personally for the price and the fact that the product last so much longer than others, I feel the value is outstanding.
Sharon,
I agree. It is truly a high-quality product, and it is extremely concentrated.
I use tea tree and eucalyptus oils with my castile soap to disinfect my toilet bowl. But I use Mable’s Miracle Liquid Castile Soap it never dries out my skin like the other brands I have tried. Here’s their link if anybody wants to check them out. http://www.mabelsmiracles.com/TinaMilton/
Janel,
Thanks for the link to Mabel’s Miracle soap. I enjoyed looking over the website and may try ordering some. I find that Dr. Bronner’s castile soap does dry out my skin when I use it as soap in the shower. Maybe switching to Mabel’s would fix that. Only downside is that her soap is more expensive. Oh well.
I’ve been mixing this soap with water in a faom dispenser and it’s leaving a rash like on my daughters hands?! Is this ok for sensitive skin? Is there something in it that could be over drying her hands? I want good soap thats not full of chemicals. What should I do?
You could try lowering the amount of castile soap and adding more water or try getting the Mild Dr Bronner’s Castile Soap. It’s great for sensitive skin. If she still has a rash, take her to a doctor it may be something a bit more serious. She may have an allergy to something or she may have gotten into something.
Yes, I love the idea of the Castile soap. I have bought several bottles of the Trader Joe’s brand, which is actually not much cheaper than Dr Bronner’s. However, I found it dried out my skin and hair and actually caused me excema on my hands, so I had to stop using it. I am looking for something else that is just as natural and simple but not so drying. Maybe mixing the soap with some other kind of oil?
Try mixing it with a bit vegetable glycerin. Takes care of the dryness for me.