12 Things To Do with One Bar of Soap

Because our Just So Clean Coconut Castile Soap is made with pure, all-natural ingredients, one bar of our signature brand will go a long way in your household. Here are a few suggestions for transforming your soap into something practical, creative, and fun!

12 Soap Products

  1. Download these recipes in PDF format:
    12 Things To Do with One Bar of Soap
    Powdered Laundry Soap
    • 1 c. washing soda
    • 1 c. borax
    • 4 oz. grated castile soap

    Combine and use 1-2 tablespoons per load. For more specific details, see our article on Homemade Laundry Soap.

  2. Liquid Laundry Soap

    Add warm water to 1-2 tbsp. powdered laundry soap and stir before adding to the washer, or make the liquid recipe found in our Homemade Laundry Soap article.

  3. Liquid Castile Soap

    Grate 4 oz. bar of castile soap and combine with 4 c. hot water. Stir until soap pieces dissolve. Add 2 tbsp. vegetable glycerin (available at health food stores or online).

    Transfer to glass jar and cover. This liquid soap can be used in numerous recipes, including those on this list.

    This version of liquid castile soap will be cloudy and will need to be shaken periodically. This is purely aesthetic and perfectly normal. (True liquid castile soap traditionally uses potassium hydroxide rather than sodium hydroxide, which mixes without clouding.)

  4. Dish Soap
    • 1 c. liquid castile soap (see recipe #3)
    • 1 tbsp. white vinegar
    • 1 tbsp. washing soda (to thicken mixture)
    • 5 drops tea tree oil or essential oil of choice (optional)
    • 5 drops grapefruit seed extract for added disinfection (optional)

    Combine in liquid soap dispenser. Dilute if desired.

  5. Soft Scrubber
    • 1/4 - 1/2 c. liquid castile soap (see recipe #3)
    • 1 c. baking soda
    • 5 drops tea tree oil or essential oil(s) of choice

    Combine in bottle and shake. Add enough water to make a thick liquid paste. Apply to sponge or directly to surface and wipe with damp cloth or sponge. Rinse with water.

  6. Hand Soap

    Combine 1-2 tbsp. liquid castile soap (see recipe #3) with 1 c. warm water. Add to foaming dispenser. (If foaming dispenser is not available, use more liquid castile soap.) Add 1 tbsp. vegetable glycerin, if available. Add essential oil of choice and enjoy!

  7. Herbal Shampoo
    • 1/4 c. favorite herbal tea (strongly brewed)
    • 8 oz. liquid castile soap (see recipe #3)

    Combine soap with tea. Stir over low heat until blended. Store in capped bottle. You can also infuse your favorite herbs (1 tbsp. dried or fresh herb soaked in boiling water, then strained).

  8. Car Wash

    Combine 1/4 c. liquid castile soap (see recipe #3) with hot water to fill bucket. Wash, rinse, and enjoy your clean car!

  9. Bug Spray
    • 2 c. witch hazel
    • 1 tsp. liquid castile soap (see recipe #3)
    • 20 drops citronella essential oil
    • 20 drops lemongrass essential oil

    Combine in spray bottle and shake vigorously before each use.

  10. Pet Shampoo
    • 10 oz. distilled water
    • 1 tbsp. liquid castile soap (see recipe #3)
    • 1 tsp. glycerin
    • 1 drop tea tree oil
    • 2 drops rose geranium essential oil (helpful for flea and tick protection) *

    Combine ingredients in a jar and shake to blend. Dampen your pet's fur and use only enough shampoo to create a lather. Work in with your hands. Rinse thoroughly.

    * Use essential oils sparingly. Pets (especially cats) can be very sensitive.

  11. Bubble Bath

    Combine 1 c. liquid castile soap (see recipe #3) with 10 drops essential oil(s) of choice. Add 2 oz. coconut oil and pour into running bathwater. Enter and exit carefully, as the coconut oil may cause the tub to be quite slippery.

  12. Hand-Milled Soap Bar

    Make your own soap without the complications of lye.

    • Grate 8 oz. castile soap (2 bars). Place in double boiler or crock pot on low setting. Add 1-2 oz. of any liquid (green tea, coffee, kefir, herbal water, coconut milk, etc.). Sprinkle enough liquid on grated soap to keep from burning. Heat over low heat and stir occasionally. When soap is liquefied, remove from heat. It will be somewhat lumpy and translucent.
    • Add desired ingredients (natural colorants, essential oils, herbal powders, oatmeal, etc.).
    • Stir and spoon into molds (rectangular containers, candy molds, trays lined with parchment paper, etc.).
    • Cool the soap and remove from mold (place mold into freezer for up to 1 hour to make this easier).
    • Cure soap for 1-2 weeks.

Who would have guessed all the uses for one simple bar of soap? In the following video, momsAWARE founder Andrea Fabry demonstrates the 12 ideas outlined above.

To find out more about our Just So Clean all-natural soap, visit our Online Store.