Castile Soap Cleaning Guide: Dilution Ratios for Every Job

Liquid castile soap is a concentrated, plant-oil-based soap. A single bottle can replace several cleaning products, as long as you dilute it correctly. Too much soap leaves a film, so a little goes a long way.

These are general guidelines. Always check the directions on your bottle.

All-Purpose Spray

• 1/4 cup of castile soap
• 1 quart (4 cups) of water

Mix gently in a spray bottle. Use on counters, appliances, tables and most surfaces.

Floor Cleaner

• 1/2 cup of castile soap
• 3 gallons of hot water

Mop as usual. Use a well-wrung mop on wood and laminate floors.

Dish Soap

Dilute 1 part castile soap with about 10 parts water for hand washing dishes. It's thinner than regular dish soap, so use a squeeze bottle.

Don't use castile soap in the dishwasher.

Laundry

Use about 1/3 cup for a large load in a standard machine, or less for high-efficiency washers.

Fruit and Vegetable Rinse

Add a small squirt to a bowl of water, swish produce, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Soft Scrub

Mix castile soap with baking soda to make a paste for sinks and tubs. Rinse well.

Important: Don't Mix with Vinegar

Castile soap is alkaline. When mixed with acidic vinegar, the soap breaks down and leaves a greasy residue. If you want to use both, clean with castile soap first, rinse, then use vinegar separately.

FAQ

Can I use castile soap on granite? Yes, a diluted solution is a good gentle cleaner for sealed stone.

Why does castile soap leave a white film? Hard water can react with castile soap. Rinse with plain water, or use less soap.