Dilute! Dilute! OK!* But how much? Here's a quick reference. None of these soap dilutions are meant to be exact amounts. If what you're cleaning is really dirty or your water is really hard, then you may want to use more than the specified amount. That said, these Pure-Castile Liquid Soap dilutions should get you started.
Table of Contents
Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap Dilution Chart
How much soap should you use? Start with these suggested amounts for Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Magic Soap (liquid). Some uses call for mixing soap with water first; others use the water already on your hands, body, or washcloth.
On smaller screens, scroll sideways to see the full chart.
| Use | Amount of liquid soap | Water or dilution | How to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face | 2–3 drops | Wet hands and face; no premixing needed. | Lather in wet hands, wash your wet face, and rinse. Keep soap out of eyes. |
| Body | One small squirt | Wet washcloth and body; no premixing needed. | Apply soap to a wet washcloth, wash your wet body, and rinse. |
| Foaming hand-soap dispenser | 1 part soap | 3 parts water Soap-to-water ratio: 1:3 |
For example, mix ¼ cup soap with ¾ cup water. Use a foaming dispenser, not a regular pump dispenser. |
| Bath | About 2 tablespoons | An average-size tub of water | Adjust the amount to your bathwater volume. This is not a bubble bath. |
| Dishes: handwashing | 1 part soap | 10 parts water Soap-to-water ratio: 1:10 |
Premix, then apply to a scrub brush. Wash dishes and rinse. For handwashing only, not an automatic dishwasher. |
| Laundry: standard washer | ⅓–½ cup (80–120 mL) per large load | Washing machine’s wash water | Use soap in the wash cycle. Add 1 cup (240 mL) vinegar separately during the rinse cycle. |
| Laundry: high-efficiency (HE) washer | 40–60 mL per large load | Washing machine’s wash water | Use half the standard-washer amount. Add ½ cup (120 mL) vinegar separately during the rinse cycle. |
| Mopping floors | ½ cup (120 mL) | 3 gallons (about 12 L) hot water | Wring the mop thoroughly. On wood and laminate, avoid excess water and mop up wet areas. |
| All-purpose cleaning spray | ¼ cup (60 mL) | 1 quart (about 1 L) water | Mix in a spray bottle. Spray, scrub as needed, and wipe with a damp cloth. |
| Windows | 1 tablespoon (15 mL) | 1 quart (about 1 L) water | Mix in a spray bottle. Spray and squeegee. Follow with plain club soda and squeegee again. |
| Makeup brushes | 1–2 drops | Wet bristles; no premixing needed. | Gently work soap through the bristles for at least 10 seconds, then rinse. Repeat until the water runs clear. |
Measure soap and water separately. Ratios list soap first, then water, using the same measure for both. Water quantities are the amounts to add—not the finished mixture volume. For example, ¼ cup soap plus 1 quart water makes approximately 4¼ cups of mixture. U.S. customary measurements are used; metric equivalents are rounded.
Mix small batches. Diluting soap shortens its shelf life. Use premixed solutions within a couple of weeks.
Keep soap out of eyes. This soap is not tear-free. For laundry, keep the soap wash and vinegar rinse as separate steps.
You’ll notice that for some applications, we recommend pre-diluting the soap—which usually involved combining the soap with water in a separate container. For other applications, the soap is diluted directly by the water in the shower or faucet. It’s a matter of personal preference. Keep in mind that if you pre-dilute, you are also diluting the preservative, so the shelf life will decrease. Use the pre-diluted mixture within a couple weeks or mix up in smaller batches. And yes, there are 18+ uses here! * Long-time Dr. Bronner’s users will remember this expression from the old labels.
Body Uses
Face
2 or 3 drops of soap on wet hands, applied to wet face.
Body
One small squirt of soap on a wet washcloth, applied to a wet body.
Foaming Pump Dispenser
Dilution of one part soap to 3 parts water.
Wipe-Off Castile Body Wash Spray
Combine:
- 1 ½ tsp (7.5 mL) of Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap
- 1 cup (240 mL) distilled, filtered, or otherwise purified water, room temperature
Lightly spray onto skin and wipe off with clean, damp cloth. Use when bath or shower is not an option.
Makeup Removal
Wet face and lather several drops of soap into hands. Massage into skin. Rinse.
Hair
A couple drops for close-cropped hair or up to ½ Tbsp. (7.5 mL) for long hair, either worked directly into very wet hair or pre-diluted in a cup of water. Follow with diluted apple cider vinegar.
Bath
Completely depends upon water amount, but roughly 2 Tbsp. soap in an average sized tub. (Doesn’t bubble, but still cleans).
Shaving
Face – 10 drops; Underarms – 3 drops; Legs – ½ tsp; Work to a lather in wet hands and then apply to area.
Teeth
1 drop on a toothbrush (yes, it tastes like soap).
Oral Appliances
Removable retainers, nightguards, etc. & dentures: Wet device. Add 1-2 drops of soap to a soft toothbrush. Brush gently, then rinse.
Foot Bath
½ Tbsp. (7.5 mL) in a small tub of hot water.
Clearing Congestion
1 Tbsp. (15 mL) Peppermint or Eucalyptus Castile soap in a bowl of steamy hot water. Breathe in mist with a towel draped over the head.
Household Uses
Dishes (Handwashing)
Pre-dilute 1 part soap with 10 parts water. Squirt on a scrub brush and scrub dishes. Alternatively, add 1-2 Tbsp. (15-30 mL) Castile Soap in a large sink of water. Use a small squirt of soap for one pot, or more if needed. To avoid water spots in hard water conditions, dry dishes by hand.
Stovetop
In a spray bottle, dilute 1/4 cup of Dr. Bronner's and 4 cups of water. Then spray, scrub, and wipe with a damp cloth.
Laundry
1/3-1/2 c. (80-120 mL) soap for a large load in a regular washer. Add 1 c. (240 mL) vinegar to the rinse cycle. Optional: For whitening/deodorizing, add 1/2 c. (120 mL) baking soda to wash cycle. Halve these amounts for HE washers.
Handwashing Delicates
1 capful (1 Tbsp. or 15 mL) soap in about 1 gallon (4 L) cold water. Swish gently. Let soak 10 minutes. Swish again. Rinse with clean water. Gently press out excess water with a towel. Hang or lay clothing flat to dry.
Mopping (Wood, Laminate & Stone Flooring)
½ c. (120 mL) of soap in 3 gallons (12 L) of hot water. Dunk mop (microfiber, preferably) and wring thoroughly. On wood and laminate, avoid excess water and mop up wet areas.
All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
¼ c. (60 mL) soap in a quart (1 L) of water in a spray bottle. Optional: For extra microbial punch, add ¼ tsp. (1.25 mL) tea tree essential oil.
Windows
1 Tbsp. (15 mL) soap in a quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray and squeegee. Follow up with pure club soda, or half vinegar/ half water and squeegee.
Toilet
Predilute 1:4 with water in a squirt bottle. Add ¼ tsp. (1.25 mL) tea tree oil. For best results, empty toilet. Squirt bowl thoroughly, sprinkle baking soda on the brush, scrub bowl, let sit 10 minutes, turn water on, flush.
Other Uses
Fruit and Veggie Rinse
1 dash (approximately ¼ tsp.) in a bowl of water. Dunk produce and swish. Then rinse in clear water.
Dog Washing
Wet dog thoroughly. Massage in enough soap to create a good lather. Really massage it in down to the skin. Your dog will thank you for it. (Amount varies based on size, hair type, and overall dirtiness.) Rinse thoroughly.
Cleaning Makeup Brushes
Wet the make-up brushes in water. Add 1-2 drops soap to the bristles. Massage in gently for 10+ seconds, then rinse. Repeat as needed until water runs clear.
Plant Spray for Bugs
1 Tbsp. (15 mL) in a quart (1 L) of water. Optional: Add ½ tsp. (1.25 mL) cayenne pepper or cinnamon. Spray plants twice daily in the cool of the day until infestation clears.
Ant Spray (Not on Plants)
¼ c. (60 mL) Tea Tree Castile Soap in a quart (1 L) of water. (This concentration will burn plants.)
I’ve tried to keep this short and sweet. If you have any questions, please ask away! Oh, and if you haven't purchased yours yet, we invite you to do so at our online store. Our top selling Pure-Castile Liquid Soaps are peppermint, lavender and baby unscented. Download a one-page copy of this cheat sheet here.
Descargue la hoja de dilución en Español aquí.
