Quality Soaps Explained - Soaps have been made for millennia. Aside from making fire and cooking food, "saponifying" oil and fat into soap is one of the oldest and simplest chemical reactions known to humankind. In fact, the first soaps were accidentally made by fat dripping into the ashes of cooking fires.

Soap is made by saponifying a fat or oil with an alkali. A fat or oil is a "triglyceride," which means that three fatty acids of various carbon lengths are attached to a glycerine backbone. The alkali is either sodium (for bars) or potassium (for liquids) hydroxide, made by running electricity through salt water. The saponification process is a simple one-step reaction with no waste generated: the glycerine is split off from the fatty acids, and the fatty acids combine with the sodium or potassium to form soap, while the hydroxide forms water. The result is soap, glycerine and water (no alkali remains in our soaps).

Quality soap-making consists in great part of choosing the right proportions of the right oils with their different fatty acids. Most commercial soap manufacturers skimp on quality because of cost and use lots of tallow from beef fat with a little bit of coconut or palm kernel oil. Our unsurpassed soaps are made with olive, hemp and palm oils instead of tallow, and contain three to four times more coconut oil than commercial soaps. Saponified coconut oil generates high-lather cleansing even in hard water because it has shorter-chain saturated fatty acids. Hemp, olive and palm oil-based soaps make a mild, smooth, creamy lather because these oils contain longer-chain unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids.

Other Ways Dr. Bronner's Makes a Higher-Quality Soap - Unlike most commercial soap-makers who distil the glycerine out of their soaps to sell separately, we retain it in our soaps for its superb moisturizing qualities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Castile" mean? Is the bar soap also a castile soap like the liquid? What is the difference between the bar and liquid soaps?
In earlier centuries, an all-vegetable based soap was made in the Castile region of Spain from local olive oil. By the turn of this century, "Castile" had come to mean any vegetable oil-based soap, versus animal (tallow) fat-based soap. "Pure-Castile" is now also your guarantee that what you are using is a real ecological and simple soap, not a complex blend of detergents with a higher ecological impact due to the waste stream during manufacture and slower biodegradability. Unfortunately, many synthetic detergent blends are deceptively labelled as "Liquid Soap" even when they contain absolutely no soap whatsoever.

Both our bar and liquid soaps are pure-castile, as they are all vegetable oil-based. The bar soap wrappers prominently state that they, too, are pure-castile, like our liquid soaps. The difference between the liquid and bar soaps is that the liquid soaps use potassium hydroxide to saponify the vegetable oils, versus sodium hydroxide used to make the hard bar soaps.

What is "Organic" and why is it so great?
The term "organic" refers to both sustainable farming practices and to products ecologically made from materials produced on certified organic farms. According to USA federal standards, such products have to be at least 70% organic by non-water, non-salt weight. Organic products not only support sustainable farming, but also farm worker health and ecological processing methods.

Unfortunately, the hollow market-driven needs of some "natural" body care companies are making a mockery of organic principles. Underneath fluffy, feel-good "organic" floral waters and infusions, many "organic" body care products are really just composed of the same synthetic cleansers, conditioners and preservatives found in mainstream products, often in part or wholly derived from petroleum. Culprit companies are inflating organic content by counting ordinary distilled water in "floral water" as organic, a practice which is not allowed under the National Organic Program.

How should I use the liquid soap?

My liquid soap turned cloudy. What happened, and what should I do to clear it up again?
Our liquid soaps are so concentrated that they are nearly solid. Thus, when the temperature drops to about 50° F, the fatty acids begin to solidify and cloud out. Just put the soap in a warm room, or warm water, and it will clear up at about 70° F. But clear or cloudy, the soap works just the same.

Do your soaps contain any foaming agents/detergents like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
Absolutely not. Our soaps are 100% true pure-castile soaps. The high foaming lather of our soaps is from their high coconut oil content, which makes a more luxurious and rich lather than any detergent can ever create. "Pure-Castile" is your guarantee that what you are using is a real ecological and simple soap, not a complex blend of detergents with a higher ecological impact due to the waste stream during manufacture and slower biodegradability. Unfortunately, many synthetic detergent blends are deceptively labelled as "Liquid Soap" even when they contain absolutely no soap whatsoever.

 BAR SOAPS
(Wrapped in 10% hempflax/90% post-consume recycled paper)  

TEA TREE BAR SOAP - 140g CODE 8001 - 5.95 - 4.46
Pure-Castile Soap. The therapeutic benefits of tea tree oil can now be reaped in our unsurpassed pure-castile soap base. Use for facial cleansing and cleaning minor cuts and scrapes, as well as everyday bathing.

ALMOND BAR SOAP - 140g - CODE 8000 - 5.95 - 4.46
Pure-Castile Soap. Our most delicious and warm scent. The almond-scented steam-misted waters of the inner bath-tub sanctum can cause deep, dreamy, mystical trance states of super-sensuous luxuriousness and consciousness.

LEMON BAR SOAP - 140g CODE 8003 - 5.95 - 4.46
Pure Castile Soap. Lemon essential oil, being a citrus oil, is stimulating for the skin.

ROSE BAR SOAP - 140g CODE 8002 - 5.95 - 4.46

Pure-Castile Soap. The Rose soap, with beautifully blended natural essential oils and isolates, has an elegant and romantic traditional feel.

PEPPERMINT BAR SOAP - 140g CODE 8005 - 5.95 - 4.46

Pure-Castile Soap - Our most popular variety. The peppermint essential oil creates an exhilarating tingly-cool body space. Because therapeutically peppermint oil is a mild stimulant, it increases vitality and clarity.

BABY-MILD BAR SOAP - 140g CODE 8004 - 5.95 - 4.46

Pure-Castile Soap - Formulated to be a mild, smooth soap for use on newborns (but still be sure to keep it out of the eyes). Because the Baby-Mild soap contains no essential oils, some people add their own favourite blends to craft personally unique bathing spaces.

 LAVENDER BAR SOAP - 140g CODE 8006 - 5.95 - 4.46

Pure-Castile Soap - Contains both lavandin and lavender essential oils to create a soothing and harmonizing bathing experience. Lavender showers replenish body and soul.

 EUCALYPTUS BAR SOAP - 140g CODE #8034 - 5.95 - 4.46

Pure Castile Soap.  Eucalyptus opens your pores and clears your sinuses while enveloping the body in its warm invigorating vapours.  All oils and essential oils are certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program.  Wrapped in 10% hemp-flax / 90% post-consumer recycled paper from Living Tree Paper Co.

LIQUID SOAPS

We source the core soap and essential oils organically, not just minor additive ingredients, in order to support and encourage sustainable agriculture, farm worker health and ecological processing methods. Our soaps are certified under the rigorous USDA Organic Food Standards by Oregon Tilth. All of our cylinder bottles are now made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, a marketplace first which we have spent considerable energy and resources developing.

ALMOND LIQUID SOAP - 230 mls CODE 8007 - 7.95 - 5.96
Our most delicious and warm scent. The almond-scented steam-misted waters of the inner bath-tub sanctum can cause deep, dreamy, mystical trance states of super-sensuous luxuriousness and consciousness. Pure Castile Soap.

PEPPERMINT LIQUID SOAP - 230 mls. CODE 8008 - 7.95 - 5.96
Our most popular variety. The peppermint essential oil creates an exhilarating tingly-cool body space. Because therapeutically peppermint oil is a mild stimulant, it increases vitality and clarity. Pure Castile Soap.

BABY MILD LIQUID SOAP - 230 mls CODE #8009 - 7.95 - 5.96
Formulated to be a mild, smooth soap for use on newborns (but still be sure to keep it out of the eyes). Because the Baby-Mild soap contains no essential oils, some people add their own favourite blends to craft personally unique bathing spaces. Pure Castile Soap.

LAVENDER LIQUID SOAP - 230 mls CODE #8010 - 7.95 - 5.96
Contains both lavandin and lavender essential oils to create a soothing and harmonizing bathing experience. Lavender showers replenish body and soul. Pure Castile Soap.

TEA TREE LIQUID SOAP - 230 mls. CODE #8011 - 7.95 - 5.96
The therapeutic benefits of tea tree oil can now be reaped in our unsurpassed pure-castile soap base. Use for facial cleansing and cleaning minor cuts and scrapes, as well as everyday bathing. Pure Castile Soap.

EUCALYPTUS LIQUID SOAP 230 mls Code #8031 - 7.95 - 5.96
Eucalyptus opens your pores and clears your sinuses while enveloping the body in its warm invigorating vapours. All oils and essential oils are certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program. Packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
Ingredients: Water Saponified Organic Coconut & Olive oils (w/ retained Glycerin) Organic Hemp Oil Organic Jojoba Oil Organic Eucalyptus Oil Citric Acid Vitamin E

ROSE LIQUID SOAP 230 mls. Code #8032 - 7.95 - 5.96
The Rose Liquid Soap with its beautifully blended natural essential oils has an elegant and romantic traditional feel.
Ingredients: Water, Saponfied Organic Coconut Oil*, Saponified Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Glycerin, Organic Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Natural Rose Fragrance, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, (* Certified Fair Trade).

ALMOND LIQUID SOAP - 940 mls CODE #8012 - 19.95 -14.96
Our most delicious and warm scent. The almond-scented steam-misted waters of the inner bath-tub sanctum can cause deep, dreamy, mystical trance states of super-sensuous luxuriousness and consciousness. Pure Castile Soap. Pure Castile Soap.

CITRUS ORANGE LIQUID SOAP - 230ml. CODE #8036 - 7.95 - 5.96
Nothing smells as fresh as the smell of organic citrus oils. The organic orange, lemon and lime stimulate the skin and invigorate the body, resulting in a truly refreshing shower experience.

PEPPERMINT LIQUID SOAP - 940 mls CODE #8013 - 19.95 -14.96
Our most popular variety. The peppermint essential oil creates an exhilarating tingly-cool body space. Because therapeutically peppermint oil is a mild stimulant, it increases vitality and clarity. Pure Castile Soap.

LAVENDER LIQUID SOAP 940 mls CODE #8015 - 19.95 P- 14.96
Contains both lavandin and lavender essential oils to create a soothing and harmonizing bathing experience. Lavender showers replenish body and soul. Pure Castile Soap.

BABY MILD LIQUID SOAP - 940 mls CODE #8014 - 19.95 - 14.96
Formulated to be a mild, smooth soap for use on newborns (but still be sure to keep it out of the eyes). Because the Baby-Mild soap contains no essential oils, some people add their own favourite blends to craft personally unique bathing spaces. Pure Castile Soap.

SAL SUDS - 940 mls. CODE #8017 - 22.60- 16.95
Hard-surface all-purpose cleaner. A balanced formulation of plant-based surfactants with natural spruce and fir-needle oils: it cleans and rinses with exceptional power, yet is mild and gentle on the skin. Sal Suds is equally effective in hard or soft water, rinsing freely, hot or cold. It is 100% cruelty-free: no animal testing. Sal Suds will biodegrade rapidly after it has done its job.

TEA TREE LIQUID SOAP - 940 mls CODE #8016 - 19.95 - 14.96
The therapeutic benefits of tea tree oil can now be reaped in our unsurpassed pure-castile soap base. Use for facial cleansing and cleaning minor cuts and scrapes, as well as everyday bathing. Pure Castile Soap.

CITRUS ORANGE LIQUID SOAP - 940ml. CODE #8035 - 19.95 - 14.96
Nothing smells as fresh as the smell of organic citrus oils.  The organic orange, lemon and lime stimulate the skin and invigorate the body, resulting in a truly refreshing shower experience.

EUCALYPTUS LIQUID SOAP 940 mls CODE #8030 - 19.95 - 14.96
Makes an intense, invigorating shower; dissolves sluggishness and sloth of spirit. Ingredients: Water, Saponified Organic Coconut & Olive oils (w/retained Glycerin), Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Eucalyptus Oil, Citric Acid,

ROSE LIQUID SOAP 940 mls.Code #8033 - 19.95 - 14.96
The Rose Liquid Soap with its beautifully blended natural essential oils has an elegant and romantic traditional feel.
Ingredients: Water, Saponfied Organic Coconut Oil*, Saponified Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Glycerin, Organic Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Natural Rose Fragrance, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, (* Certified Fair Trade).