My Top 5 Favourite Low Waste, Castile Soap Recipes
Castile soap is a plant-based soap and is gentle enough to use on marble & hardwood surfaces. Named after the Castile region of Spain, it was traditionally made using Olive oil. Nowadays it is made from other plant-based oils as well.
I buy my castile soap using a mobile-refill service from The Castile Soap Shop Singapore, but you can buy it in bulk either online or from your favourite package-free store. Although all these options include some amount of plastic packaging, I try to focus on the fact that I have prevented the purchase of different packaged cleaning solutions as I can use this soap in versatile ways for cleaning around the home.
I hope you find these recipes helpful!
1. All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
(Recipe from Unfettered Home)
Ingredients: 470ml of warm water, 2 tbsp of castile soap, 1/2 tsp of washing soda & 20 drops of essential oil.
Method: Add washing soda, castile soap, and warm water into a spray bottle and swirl to mix. Add essential oil last and use to clean any surface.
2. Soft Scrub Paste
(Recipe from Simply Living Well)
I use this paste to clean the kitchen & bathroom sinks and toilet bowls.
Ingredients: 1 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of castile soap & 1 tbsp of lemon juice.
Method: Mix the ingredients to create a paste, rub it into the surface with a brush, let it sit for ten minutes, and rinse it clean.
3. Floor Cleaning Solution
(Recipe from Simply Living Well)
Ingredients: 2 cups of warm water, 5-10 drops of essential oil & 2 drops of castile soap.
Method: Mix the ingredients well and pour into a 500ml glass spray bottle. Seal the bottle & shake well.
4. Oven Cleaner
(Recipe from Simply Living Well)
Ensure your oven is switched off and cool with all removable parts and visible food particles removed.
Ingredients: 5 tbsp of baking soda, 5 tbsp of washing soda, 2 tbsp of castile soap, distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle & warm water as needed
Method: Mix the two sodas and castile soap in a small bowl with enough warm water to form a paste. Wearing gloves, scoop & spread the paste over the interior surfaces of the oven (avoid the heating elements area). Close the oven door and let the paste sit overnight. Scrub the areas that require cleaning, spray with vinegar, and wipe surfaces clean.
5. Multipurpose Cleaning Solutions
Due to its versatility, castile soap can be used for various cleaning purposes around your home as long as you correctly dilute it.
(Dilution Ratios from The Castile Soap Shop)
Hand soap: Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap to 355 ml of water.
Dish soap: Add 1 part of castile soap to 10 parts of water.
Disclaimer: Cleaning and disinfecting are two different processes. Here is an excerpt from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.) website-
“Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.”