IN PROFILE
The versatile magic of Castile soap
Discover the time-honoured tradition and myriad uses of Castile soap , an eco-friendly, vegan, and cruelty-free multi-tasking cleanser.
It is self-evident that an organic soap made from natural ingredients, such as pure Castile soap, is going to be better for your health than a conventional soap which can be loaded with synthetic ingredients. Castile soap is made from organic, plant- based ingredients which require less energy to produce and therefore have a significantly lower impact on the environment, making it a more sustainable and eco-friendly choice. Dr Bronner’s is the iconic pioneering company which has been making pure Castile soap for generations. It remains one of the most versatile products available, for personal and household care, boasting that it is “18 in 1” – which is shorthand for “18 uses in one bottle”. Ancient origins Castile soap originated in the Mediterranean region, where for centuries people have made soap from olive and other vegetable oils. The name comes from the Castile region of Spain, which has long been a soap-making centre. The Castile soap made by Dr Bronner’s contains coconut, palm, olive, hemp and jojoba oils, which provide soothing, moisturising and nutritive benefits. Castile soap contains only vegetable oils – no animal fats – making it vegan, non-toxic, and biodegradable. Castile soap tends to be alkaline, just like most other soaps (about the same level as bicarbonate of soda). That said, it is not nearly as alkaline as bleach, meaning
it is not corrosive to skin and surfaces. In fact, thanks to the blend of high-quality natural ingredients, Dr Bronner's is gentle on skin while still getting the job done. The soap molecules in Castile soap have one end which bonds to water and another that repels it. So, when the soap is combined with water, the result is that one end attaches to dirt, grime and grease and removes it from the surface it is applied to. Castile soap’s plant-based ingredients mean it can be used effectively to clean the face, body, home, pets and even get rid of insects. Toxin-free Castile soap is referred to as a ‘true soap’, because of its combination of natural oils and fats with a base, such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. Its organic composition means that Castile soap can be safely used as a cleaner in numerous circumstances. In contrast, many so-called conventional ‘soaps’ on the market are loaded with synthetic ingredients, making them more of a detergent than actual soap. There is a long list of these synthetic ingredients that can be harmful to you and your family, including parabens, phthalates, BPA and triclosan. All of these substances have been linked to cancer, infertility and physical and psychological dysfunction; also, they are not readily biodegradable, making them harmful to the environment as well.
Bountiful benefits Castile soaps are known for being great cleaners, especially for use on sensitive skin. Castile soap is very concentrated, so a little bit can go a very long way, helping you to reduce waste and save money as well. Here is an example: One 3.78-litre bottle of Dr Bronner’s Liquid Soap will make 63 x 250 ml bottles of foaming soap, using a 4:1 water to soap ratio. This equates to $2.58 per hand wash bottle – which is much more affordable than most 250 ml soaps you’ll buy today!
20
ISSUE 71 • 2024
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog