My Dr. Bronner's PSA

It's almost time for "Spring Cleaning", when we can open windows and let the fresh air come in. I like to take the opportunity to really do an intense cleaning of the house, because I'll be honest, I don't do it that often. It's been a few years since I've been trying to switch out all of our harsh chemicals in the house to more natural options. And my first lesson was in the benefits of Castile soap, which is a type of soap made from a vegetable oil base. A very popular brand is Dr. Bronner's, and for good reason. It comes in a variety of scents, which are derived from natural oils like ones shown below. It's mild, yet powerful, and is useful in so many ways. Here is a few ways I use it...

• As a hand soap, in a pump, in the kitchen and bathroom. Be careful; since it's more liquidy than regular soap it may squirt a lot farther.
• As a dish soap in a squeeze bottle, 1/4 cut with water
• As a kitchen surface cleaning spray, followed by a spray a vinegar. Why you shouldn't mix them together...
• This has also proven to kill and deter ants from crawling around our kitchen in the summer
• On the floors, two squirts in a bucket of warm water
• As a face wash, only a dime sized amount is necessary
• In the shower as a body wash (and shampoo)
• My husband uses this from head to toe, for an all-in-one cleaning
• As a doggie shampoo
• Peppermint and Tea tree are also natural flea and tick deterrents
• As a leather cleaner, a squirt in a bowl of clean warm water to wash away mild dirt stains

And a few notes on the different scents...

• We like the Peppermint for the shower in the summer because it's fresh and cooling in the Philly heat (we have no air conditioning, yikes!). Don't be alarmed! It is a bit tingly when you use it on your skin.
• The Eucalyptus is wonderful in the colder months with a steamy shower or hot bath. It's a perfect cold and flu aid when you're congested. 
• The Tea Tree variation I have made part of my daily facial routine. Twice a day I work up a good lather and wash my face. Sometimes for an extra gentle exfoliant, I'll use a pinch of baking soda
• For cleaning purposes I prefer either the Lavender or the Peppermint
• So far the only scent I've tried that I'm not fond of is the Rose. It's a little overpowering and too...sweet? I'm not sure, but I don't care for it. 

There are TONS of uses for this stuff, but just try it out for yourself, and you'll learn your own ways to use it. For convenience I usually buy mine on Amazon, but I've seen smaller size bottles at Target too.