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Castile soap is a popular alternative for those who want to have a milder, more natural cleaner.
This non-toxic soap — available in a bar or in liquid form — has traditionally been made from olive oil and animal fat, but some of today’s versions are made with a variety of vegetable oils. Incidentally, castile soap is named after a region in Spain which is known for its olive oil. Castile soap itself dates back at least 2,000 years to the Mediterranean region.
There are a variety of ways to use castile soap on the homestead. Here are seven:
1. Cleaning solution
By adding ¼ cup of castile soap to a quart of warm water, you can create your very own all-purpose cleaning solution. Make sure you mix it well. You also can add essential oils, like lemon or lavender, for specific cleaning purposes. Put this solution into a spray bottle for easy use.
2. Shampoo
You can use castile soap to make your own coconut milk shampoo. Mix 1/3 cup of castile soap with ¼ cup of coconut milk, a teaspoon of vitamin E and anywhere from 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oils for scent. This shampoo can be kept in the shower for up to a month, so don’t make large batches of it unless you are going to use it soon, as it won’t last long.
3. Fruit and vegetable wash
You can use castile soap to create a wash for the fruits and vegetables you purchase at the store.
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Add ¼ teaspoon of castile soap to a large bowl of water, wash your produce by swishing it around in the solution for a couple minutes, and then rinse it very well under cold water.
4. Moisturizing hand wash
Castile soap is also a great ingredient to add to your homemade chemical-free hand wash. To make this, mix 2 tablespoons of castile soap, 1 teaspoon of fractionated coconut oil and 10 drops of your essential oil of choice.
5. Plant spray
Insects or fungus can be a nightmare for anyone who gardens and takes pride in their plants. Castile soap can be used to make an all-natural plant spray that doesn’t contain any chemicals or pesticides.
This spray is really easy to make, and is only made up of 2 teaspoons of neem oil, 1 teaspoon of castile soap and a bit of water. Put it in a spray bottle and you are ready to keep insects out of your plants and ensure your garden blooms beautifully.
6. Body wash
Castile soap mixed with a bit of coconut milk and vitamin E oil makes a fantastic and nourishing body wash that is safe for the entire family. To make this, mix ½ a cup of canned coconut milk, 2/3 cup of castile soap, 3 teaspoons of vitamin E oil, 5 drops of lavender essential oil and, optionally, 2 teaspoons of vegetable glycerin. It’s important to know that this mixture does not have a long shelf life. Since it’s made using canned coconut milk and it doesn’t have any preservatives in it, it is advised to keep it in the fridge and use it within a week of making it.
7. Soft-scrub face cleanser
Soft-scrub facial cleanser is incredibly popular, and you can make your own version at home using ingredients most everyone keeps in the house. Use ¾ cup of baking soda (remember, you can add more if the mixture seems too thin), ¼ cup of castile soap, 1 tablespoon of water, 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 10-15 drops of melaleuca essential oil, also known as tea tree oil. When making this solution add all the ingredients except for the vinegar together, first. Then add the vinegar very slowly. There will be a bubbling reaction between baking soda and vinegar, so make sure you add it slowly while continuously stirring.
Castile soap is a versatile and non-toxic ingredient that can be incorporated into a variety of DIY home products. Since a little goes a long way, it is also a cost-effective ingredient to use across multiple areas of your home. Once you incorporate castile soap into your daily life, you will continue to find more and more uses for it that you never thought possible.
Do you know of other uses for castile soap? Share your tips in the section below:
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