Although it doesn’t feel like it, spring is indeed here! Soon it will be warm enough to go outside without worrying about whether or not you’ll freeze. In the mean time, start thinking about spring cleaning! Spring is a great time to get rid of things you never use, clothes you never wear and to give your house a deep clean.
We’ve put together a list of ways to clean using Castile soap. Castile soap comes in solid and liquid forms and is made with vegetable oils such as palm, coconut, hemp, jojoba, and olive. This type of soap is a great alternative to other store-bought cleaners because it doesn’t contain artificial foaming agents, harsh cleansers, or chemical anti-bacterial agents. Plus it’s biodegradable! These recipes contain ingredients you probably already have, are easy to make and are super effective at getting the job done, so crank some tunes and get cleaning!
1) Cleansing Scrub: Combine a few tablespoons of baking soda with a few squirts of castile soap, until the mixture reaches a paste-like consistency. Rub this paste on anything that needs to be scrubbed clean for an effective, non-abrasive cleanser.
2) Toilet Scrub: Combine a few tablespoons of baking soda with 1/4 cup of castile soap. This recipe is similar to the cleansing scrub, but should appear thinner. Pour into toilet and clean as usual.
3) Floor Cleaner: Fill your mop bucket with warm water and add a couple tablespoons of castile soap. The ratio should be roughly 40:1. Stir gently before cleaning floors. HINT: Add a couple drops of your favourite essential oil for a fresh, clean scent.
4) Laundry Detergent: No need to dilute, just add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of castile soap to your laundry, depending on the size. HINT: For an extra deep clean add a couple tablespoons of baking soda. For a fresh scent, add a couple drops of your favourite essential oil.
5) Window Cleaner: In a spray bottle, combine 2 drops of castile soap with 2 cups of water. Spray directly on windows or mirrors and clean as usual for a streak-free finish.
6) All-purpose Cleaner: Combine 1 teaspoon of castile soap and 2 cups of water, plus a couple drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. This cleaner can be used anywhere from the kitchen to the bathroom. HINT: Use tea tree oil as your essential oil to give this cleaner disinfecting qualities.
7) Counter Cleaner: Mix 1+1/2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon of castile soap in a spray bottle. Spray onto countertops and wipe clean.
8) Natural Pesticide: Add 1 tablespoon of peppermint-scented castile soap to 1/2 a gallon of water. Mix well and fill a spray bottle with the mixture. Spray directly onto plants to kill aphids and other pests. HINT: Can’t find peppermint-scented castile soap? Just add a couple drops of peppermint essential oil.
9) Wall Cleaner: Combine 1/8-1/4 cup of castile soap to a bucket of hot water. Dampen a microfiber clothe and use it to wipe down walls in order to remove dirty fingerprints, greasy spots, marks or grime.
10) Foaming Hand Soap: In a soap dispenser mix a couple cups of water with a couple tablespoons of castile soap. Shake to form foam and pump when washing hands. HINT: Try mixing in different essential oils to make a unique smelling hand soap.
If you’re inspired to get cleaning and are looking for a great Castile soap, we recommend Dr.Bronners. It comes in a variety of scents and is perfect for any one of these recipes. If you decide to give one of these recipes a try, or have been using Castile soap as a natural cleaning-alternative for a while, let us know!
Happy Spring Cleaning!
Sources
Cleaning With Castile Soap – 11 Simple Recipes – Clean Mama. (2013, August 1). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from http://www.cleanmama.net/2013/08/cleaning-with-castile-soap-11-simple-recipes.html
Coulter, L. (2012, March 4). What is castile soap? Retrieved March 24, 2015, from http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/queen-of-green/2012/03/what-is-castile-soap/
Merrill, L. (2011, February 15). 7 Ways to Clean With Castile Soap. Retrieved March 24, 2015, from http://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-household-cleaners-you-can-make-from-castille-soap.html/1