Castile soap dates to the Eastern Mediterranean, when soap manufacturers produced hard soaps from olive oil, laurel oil and lye. These soaps were known as Aleppo soap or laurel soap. It is believed the soap was transported to Europe by the crusaders in the 11th century and soon after, it’s popularity escalated throughout the Mediterranean. However, the early soap makers in Europe did not have easy access to laurel oil and it wasn’t long before it was omitted from the preparation.
Castile is a region in Spain that is extremely rich with olives, and it became a tradition for the people of Castile to produce their soap solely from 100% olive oil. The soap quickly became known as Castile soap, which is extremely kind and gentle to the skin due to its high oil content. It does not contain animal fats, harsh synthetic detergents or colourants like many other soaps, making it both eco-friendly and bio-degradable.
In bar and liquid form, Castile soap is incredibly resourceful and can be added to recipes to produce numerous creations, from natural beauty creams and lotions to cleaning formulas. Indispensable for washing, soap is a surfactant that works to loosen dirt and break down grease and grime. Castile soap is an excellent natural dishwashing detergent, free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and additives, and plays an essential role in any green cleaning kit. This gentle but powerful cleanser can be used in a great many recipes, ranging from all-purpose cleaners, laundry detergents to floor cleaners, and will keep your home squeaky clean from top to bottom.
True Castile soaps contain no harsh synthetic detergents, irritants, colourants or preservatives and are especially gentle to the skin and kind to our environment. There are many brands available, scented and unscented; be sure to read the labels carefully before purchasing to ensure they harbour no added nasties. My personal favourite is Dr Bronners Castile Liquid Soap. I have tried and tested various brands but keep coming back to this one. Below you can find my three favourite uses for Castile Soap:
Natural Face Wash: The best way to care for your skin is to eat healthy and to try to preserve the balance of natural oils. Using Castile soap on your face will not strip it of beneficial oils, but will remove the dirt. I recommend to mix 1.5 cups of water with 2 tablespoons of Castile soap, ½ tsp liquid oil like olive or almond and an essential oil of your choice. Tea tree and lavender are good for acne prone skin. Use lavender for mature skin or sandalwood and chamomile for dry skin.
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner: I use Castile soap for grimy messes on the floor, stubborn stains or in the bathroom. It is very easy to use and considerably less expensive than other natural cleaners. Give it a try and attack those stains!
Natural Bug Spray: Keep bugs away from your plants by spraying them with a mixture of 1 tablespoon Castile soap to 4 cups of water. Don’t use a higher concentration on your plants as it will burn them.