3 Uses for Dr. Bronner's Soap - From Under a Palm Tree

One of my all-time favorite products is Dr. Bronner’s Pure- Castile Soap. It comes in many scents but I use lavender, my favorite, most of the time. Dr. Bronner’s is a company with a mission of environmental and social responsibility. These soaps are certified organic and 100% biodegradable. They’re also made in the U.S.A. Dr. Bronner’s comes in both bar and a concentrated liquid form. The best feature of Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap is that it has SO MANY uses! The label on the bottle says “18 in 1 Hemp Lavender”. It has at least that many uses.

These are my top 3 favorite uses for Dr. Bronner’s Pure -Castile soap:

All Purpose Household Cleaner

I use two different formulas for homemade all-purpose cleaner both including Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile lavender soap. They work equally well. If I happen to have Borax in the house, I’ll use it for its added benefits, but if not, Dr. Bronner’s soap with water only is an excellent household cleaner. Lavender is known for its antiseptic and disinfectant properties.

Formula 1:

2 tsp. Borax
2 tsp. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castille Soap
1 Qt. Water
Mix all three ingredients in a spray bottle.

Formula 2:

¼ C. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castille Soap
1 Qt. Warm water
Mix both ingredients in a spray bottle.

Natural Plant Pesticide

I use Dr. Bronner’s soap mixed with water to kill plant and garden bugs like aphids and caterpillars. It works on other bugs like spider mites and whiteflies. It does need to actually make contact with the bug to kill it. It’s been years since I’ve used any other “pesticide” in my garden or on my houseplants.

1 Tbsp. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castille Soap
1 Qt. Water
Mix both ingredients in a spray bottle.

*The bottle’s label lists a dash of cayenne as an optional additive. I’ve never tried this but I will if I run across a stubborn bug.

Dog Shampoo

I love this shampoo for our Beagle, Duncan. The amount of lather is negligible so it’s easy to wash and rinse him. Most Beagles don’t like water (Duncan included) so it’s important to get him bathed, rinsed, and out of the tub and dry as quickly as possible. This natural soap is easy on his skin and it makes him smell fresh and clean. I use about a 1/8 of a cup of soap on him depending on his squirminess level. He’s about a 35-pound dog with short hair. Adjust the amount of soap you use according to your dog’s size and hair length.

These are my top 3 favorite uses for Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille Soap, but there are so much more. It can be used as a body soap, shampoo, foot soak, facial or body massage, laundry or dish soap, vegetable wash…just to name a few. I don’t use it for all of these things, but it’s nice to have a product in the house that, in a pinch, can fill in for so many needs.

Do you use Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille soap? What are your favorite uses?

About the Author
Latest Posts

About Lisa

Lisa is a mother of three lovely young women and is a new grandmother to a baby boy! She has been married to her high school sweetheart for more than thirty years. Lisa is originally from Dearborn Heights, Michigan, but has lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1984. Running a small business for over 25 years and raising a family has made for a busy, busy life with many ups and downs; it’s definitely been an adventure. Lisa’s always involved in one project or another whether it’s work related or serving her community. She also recently went back to school to finish her bachelor’s degree in American Studies. Lisa tries to make every day a good day—that means learning something new, practicing kindness, and enjoying the present moment.