Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner is a concentrated household cleaner—not a body soap. For an all-purpose cleaning spray, mix 1 tablespoon of Sal Suds with 1 quart of water. Find amounts for laundry, dishes, floors, windows, and more in the chart below:
Sal Suds Dilution Chart: Quick Reference
| Cleaning task | How much Sal Suds to use |
|---|---|
| All-purpose spray |
1 tablespoon Sal Suds + 1 quart water. Add the water first. After spraying, clean the surface with a damp cloth. |
| Laundry: HE washer |
1 to 1½ tablespoons per large load. For high-efficiency washing machines. This is a dose per load, not a water-mixing ratio. |
| Laundry: standard washer |
2 to 3 tablespoons per large load. For standard, non-HE washing machines. |
| Dishes by hand |
½ to 1½ teaspoons Sal Suds in a large sink of water. Rinse dishes thoroughly. Not for automatic dishwashers. |
| Mopping: bucket |
1 teaspoon Sal Suds + 1 gallon hot water. Wring the mop well. Do not leave excess water on wood or laminate. |
| Mopping: squirt bottle |
1/8 teaspoon Sal Suds + 1 quart water. Apply sparingly and mop with a damp mop. This is a separate method from bucket mopping. |
| Windows and glass |
½ teaspoon Sal Suds + 1 quart water. Spray and squeegee. Finish with plain club soda or equal parts vinegar and water, then squeegee again. |
| Car exterior |
½ tablespoon Sal Suds + 3 gallons water. See the car-washing instructions below for the full method. |
Mixing note: Water amounts mean the water added to Sal Suds, not the final mixture volume. Choose a container with enough room for both.
Before you clean: Follow the surface or fabric manufacturer's care instructions and spot-test first. Sal Suds is for household cleaning, not washing people or pets. It is a cleaner, not a disinfectant.
Note: Even though it's safe on skin, we don't recommend using it on people or animals as it can be drying. As with our Castile Soap Dilutions Cheat Sheet, these recommendations are not set in stone and we encourage you to experiment. That said, here are tried and true mixing instructions to suit any of your cleaning needs!
Household Dilutions Guide for Sal Suds All-Purpose Cleaner
Laundry
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons. (15 to 22 mL) for HE washers. Optional: For extra whitening/brightening, add 1/4 cup (60 mL) baking soda to wash cycle and/or 1/2 cup (120 mL) vinegar to the rinse cycle. Double these amounts for standard washers.
Pre-treating laundry stains:
Pre-measure Sal Suds for load. Apply some or all directly to stain(s). Let sit 30 minutes or more. Add remaining Sal Suds to washer. For lighter stains, spray with 1:1 Sal Suds, water dilution.
Handwashing delicates
1/2 capful Sal Suds 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 clothing or lay flat to dry.
Cloth diapers
Use 1 tablespoon (15 mL) Sal Suds for HE washers. Wash per manufacturer recommendation with cold or hot water. For extra whitening and odor-removal, add 1/2 cup (120 mL) baking soda in the wash cycle and/or 1/4 cup (60 mL) in the fabric softener compartment. Double all amounts in standard washers.
All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
1 tablespoon (15 mL) Sal Suds in a quart (1L) of water. Hint: Put water in first. Spray and wipe down with a damp cloth. Optional: For an extra punch, add 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 mL) tea tree essential oil. Use on any surface that is safe in contact with water—stone countertops & tile; wood (painted or sealed, not waxed); children’s toys; metal surfaces; microsuede; and more!
- Tips to make & use: GIY (Green It Yourself) All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
- Countertops & Tile: Spray and wipe with a damp cloth. Cleaning Stone with Castile Soap and Sal Suds
- Microsuede: Spray and scrub with a gentle circular motion.
- Wood: Painted or Sealed (not waxed)—Spray and wipe with a microfiber cloth. Wood: Making It Shine
Ovens, sinks, tubs & showers
Spray with the All-Purpose Cleaning Spray and sprinkle with baking soda. Clean with a brush or cloth, then rinse with hot water.
Stainless steel
Spray with All-Purpose Spray and sprinkle with baking soda from a shaker. Wipe in direction of the grain, then rinse.
- Appliances: Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances with Dr. Bronner’s
- Sink: Cleaning a Stainless Steel Sink
Toilets
For best results, empty toilet. Spray bowl thoroughly with All-Purpose Spray, sprinkle baking soda on the brush, scrub bowl, let sit 10 minutes, turn water on, flush.
Carpet cleaner
In cleaning solution chamber, fill with water and add 1 drop of Sal Suds. Add 1 cup (240 mL) vinegar to rinse water (optional). Use All-Purpose Spray on carpet spots (use sparingly).
Upholstery
Spray a wet (not dripping) cloth lightly with All-Purpose Spray. Gently rub cloth on the spot. Rinse area with a second wet cloth. Blot with a dry cloth to extract moisture. For large areas, use a carpet cleaner (above). Always spot test first.
Window wash (aka Sal Suds Lite)
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) Sal Suds in a quart (1 L) of water. Spray and squeegee. Follow with a spray of pure club soda or half vinegar/half water and squeegee.
Dishes (handwashing)
1/2 to 1 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 mL to 7.5mL) Sal Suds in a large sink of water. 1 drop Sal Suds for one pot, more if needed. A small squirt in a pot or a larger squirt for a sink.
Mopping (wood, laminate, vinyl, stone & tile flooring)
1 teaspoon (5 mL) Sal Suds in 1 gallon (4 L) of hot water. 20 drops tea tree oil (optional). Dunk mop (microfiber, preferably) and wring thoroughly. On wood and laminate, avoid excess water and mop up wet areas.
- For smaller areas, add 1/8 teaspoon (.6 mL) Sal Suds to a quart (1 L) of water in a squirt bottle.
- Mopping Floors with Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap and Sal Suds
Outdoor Dilutions Guide for Sal Suds All-Purpose Cleaner
Cars
1/2 tablespoon (7.5 mL) Sal Suds in 3 gallons (12 L) of water for exterior. Use All-Purpose Spray on interior surfaces and leather seats. Wipe with damp cloth.
- Exterior: Car Washing with Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds
- Interior: Green Cleaning Car Interiors with Dr. Bronner’s
Patio furniture
1/2 tablespoon (7.5 mL) Sal Suds in a bucket of warm water. Wash with sponge, microfiber cloth or a stiff brush. Wipe with damp cloth.
Pressure washer
Add 1 drop Sal Suds mixed with water into the solution compartment.
Additional Uses
- Camping gear
- Musical instruments
- Paint & makeup brushes
- Grills
- Lunch boxes
- Water bottles
- Kids clothing
- Bedding
- Beach balls
- Pet gear
- Doorknobs
- Light switches
- Cutting boards
- Refrigerators (inside & out)
- China
- Glass vases
- Pottery
And so much more!
Download a one-page copy of the Sal Suds Dilutions Cheat Sheet
Para descargar la Hoja de Dilución en Español haz clic aquí.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sal Suds the same as Castile soap?
No. Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner is a detergent-based household cleaner, while our Pure-Castile Magic Soap is a true soap. Follow the dilution instructions for the product you’re using rather than substituting equal amounts.
Can I use Sal Suds in a dishwasher?
No. Sal Suds is suitable for washing dishes by hand, but we do not recommend it for automatic dishwashers because it produces too much foam.
Does Sal Suds work in hard water?
Yes. Sal Suds cleans and rinses in hard or soft water and can be used with hot or cold water. Follow the dilution recommended for your cleaning task.
Is Sal Suds a disinfectant?
No. Sal Suds cleans dirt, grease, and grime, but it is not an EPA-registered disinfectant. Do not use it as a substitute when disinfection is required.
If you have SLS concerns check out this post:
Sal Suds cleaner shows >60% biodegradation after 28 days per ISO 14593.
