Castile Soap

Even though I started out making candles, soap making has become one of my favourite activities. After mastering moisturising body soaps, I set out to create a bar to help eliminate the need for different cleaners around our house. Enter Castile Soap!

The first soaps were made out of the local plant fats and ash, and were used for bathing, washing clothes and utensils, and cleaning wool. Castile soap originated in the Castile region of Spain and the recipe has remained largely unchanged for centuries.  Our Castile soap is made out of Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Water and Lye. I mix these ingredients, pour into big trays, and leave to set for a few months. These form hard white blocks of soap that will last months, even if using for different things everyday!

Castile Soap is regarded as the best natural and biodegradable soap, as it is gentle, yet effective and has a myriad of uses. Here a just a few ways you can use your Castile Soap:

Multi purpose spray - Grate a small amount of your soap into a spray bottle and top with water. You can also add a few drops lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender essential oils if you wish.

Handwashing dishes - Rub your palm brush or cloth over your soap block and scrub away!

Hand and Body soap - You can use at the sink, in the shower, or even to bathe your dog, as it is an extremely gentle soap.

Stain remover - Wet the stain and rub your soap block over before washing.

Floor cleaner - Grate a handful into your bucket, add water (and your favourite essential oil if you wish) and mop away.

Insect repellant - Use your household spray, mixed with a few drops of peppermint oil and spray around windows or where insects congregate.

Garden spray - Mix one teaspoon into 1 cup of water into a spray bottle and spray on insect infected or mouldy leaves.

If you are thinking of reducing plastic around your home, have sensitive skin, or are on a zero waste journey, Castile Soap is a game changer!