With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She's been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.
updated Jun 28, 2021
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Castile soap is a versatile, inexpensive, concentrated soap that comes in several scents. But, like most cleaners, castile soap comes with a list of don’ts. Knowing what you should avoid using castile soap for can save you from confusion, frustration, and lots of extra cleaning.
Read more: What Is Castile Soap and How Does It Work?
Here are some things you should never do with castile soap.
1. Don’t mix castile soap with anything acidic.
Castile soap is made with oils, including olive oil, coconut oil, hemp oil, and/or peppermint oil, depending on your choice of scent. Mixing the soap with anything acidic causes the castile soap to return to its unsaponified state. Which means it reverts from being a soap to being a bunch of oils. Which means you’ll have oil clumps to clean from the tendrils of your mop. Yes, that is the voice of unfortunate experience talking.
2. Don’t clean hard surfaces without following up with an acid cleaner.
Mixing castile soap and acid into one solution is a no-no. But! When you’re cleaning hard or shiny surfaces with castile soap, you’ll probably want to follow up with an acid “rinse.” That’s because castile soap can leave a salt residue behind, covering, say, your countertops in a white-ish film. Acidic cleaners — water and vinegar or lemon solution — are great at cutting through this residue.
3. Don’t use it with hard water.
Hard water greatly increases the residual soap scum. If you’re fine with cleaning the soap scum off, go for it. Again, a vinegar rinse does the trick. Otherwise use a water softener or skip the castile altogether if you have hard water so you don’t have to do double the work.
4. Don’t over-use it on your plants.
Castile soaps is an ideal insecticide for house plants. But using too much or a solution that’s too strong can be counterproductive because it will remove the plant’s natural protective coating and make it even more susceptible to pests and diseases. Check here for instructions on how to make a castile soap insecticidal spray.
5. Don’t store it for too long.
Castile soap is ultra concentrated so one big bottle can last a really long time. But remember that its shelf life is about three years. After this time, the oils can go rancid. (Again, voice of experience, here.) So don’t over-stock if there’s a sale because it can end up being money down the drain. When in doubt, check the expiration date on the bottle.
Do you use castile soap at home? Tell us what you use it for.
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As an enthusiast and expert in home cleaning, I understand the importance of using the right products and techniques to maintain a clean and organized living space. In this context, I'd like to share insights into the use of castile soap, a versatile and concentrated soap that has gained popularity for its various applications in cleaning. My expertise in cleaning practices is built on years of experience and a deep understanding of the properties of cleaning agents.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about castile soap:
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Castile Soap Overview: Castile soap is a versatile, concentrated soap made from oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, hemp oil, and/or peppermint oil, depending on the chosen scent. It is known for its effectiveness in various cleaning applications.
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Incompatibility with Acids: One crucial point highlighted in the article is the incompatibility of castile soap with acidic substances. Mixing castile soap with anything acidic causes it to return to its unsaponified state, turning it back into a mixture of oils. This can result in oil clumps that are challenging to clean, especially from mop tendrils.
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Follow-Up Acid Cleaning: When using castile soap on hard or shiny surfaces, it may leave a salt residue. To address this, the article recommends following up with an acid cleaner, such as a water and vinegar or lemon solution. Acidic cleaners are effective in cutting through the residue, preventing the development of a white-ish film on surfaces.
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Hard Water Concerns: The article advises against using castile soap with hard water. Hard water can increase soap scum, and if you choose to use castile soap, a vinegar rinse is suggested to combat the soap scum. Alternatively, using a water softener or opting for a different soap may be considered if dealing with hard water.
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Caution with Plants: Castile soap can serve as an insecticide for house plants. However, the article warns against overusing it or creating a solution that is too strong. Excessive use can remove the natural protective coating of plants, making them more susceptible to pests and diseases.
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Shelf Life Awareness: Castile soap is highly concentrated, and while a large bottle can last a long time, it's essential to be mindful of its shelf life, which is approximately three years. After this period, the oils in the soap can go rancid. Consumers are advised to check the expiration date on the bottle to avoid using expired or ineffective castile soap.
In conclusion, the information provided in the article emphasizes the versatility of castile soap but also underscores the importance of using it judiciously and in consideration of specific cleaning situations to achieve optimal results.
