In the fall after high school, I took an extended road trip with three friends. Four (mostly) fully grown humans and all of our stuff, packed into an 18-foot, early 1970s "Obile Ravler" (the M and T were missing) motorhome for three months.
The new guy (I said 3 friends, but it was really 2 friends and someone from my high school class that I barely knew) was a far more experienced camper than the rest of us, and had actual gear that was made for backpacking and/or could fit into small spaces.
One of the items he packed was a small bottle of liquid soap, with a LOT of words on the label! And a lot of exclamation points! Which I love! Because that's how I think and write and speak!
It was called a magical soap and it had so many uses!
This was my introduction into Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap, and I've been a fan ever since.
You can use it as hand soap, you can wash your dishes with it, you can use it as a body wash, you can use it as shampoo (but it's best with a vinegar rinse in my experience), you can wash your clothes, your floors, your counters, you can even brush your teeth with it (this is the one way I've never tried). These are my Top 5 Favorite ways to use Dr. Bronner's at my house:
- Hand Soap - this is my favorite! I love how this feels, especially when diluted: ½ Bronner’s ½ water (the official diluting instructions usually have a weaker dilution, but half and half is my favorite for a lot of uses)
- Travel - a little bottle of unscented Bronner’s for everything! Hands and body for sure, and then maybe also dishes or anything else that’s needed, depending on the travel
- Dog Shampoo - just a few drops of unscented and undiluted Bronner’s into my hands, worked into a lather, and rubbed over my dogs. I have small dogs! You’d use more for big dogs, but still a few drops at a time to different parts.
- Dish Soap - same half and half dilution as hands for regular washes, and straight up for very oily washes.
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Handwashing (anything) - a couple drops undiluted into a bowl of water and swirled around, then wash as you’d hand wash anything. I use this on any material, from delicate undergarments to heavy crocheted items, regardless of what the fabric manufacturer recommends (I do this at my own risk, you might want to be more careful!)
It's environmentally friendly, you can use it outside and it biodegrades completely, it's concentrated, vegan and Leaping Bunny certified and vegan, and it's overall a good company to support (and one that I admire and look to as a guide for what I want to be as we grow).
And you can fill up in bulk in the shop!
We carry Dr. Bronner's Unscented liquid castile soap (use it unscented, or add essential oils, but always dilute!) and Sal Suds (a multi-use cleanser that is just a little tougher on hard things, like getting oil out of sheets (hello massage therapists!))
Come fill up! Bring an empty Dr. Bronner's bottle, a jar, or any container, or buy one here at the shop.
Xo,
Lisa