The use of soaps and detergents are to blame for a host of environmental issues including befouling our waterways (runoff from sulfates can create algae plumes) and the tons of unnecessary waste in the form of the plastic bottles we throw away every day. In addition, the harsh chemicals have been blamed for everything from acne to cancer. The manufacture and mass-production of soap is a chemical process that creates unnecessary biproducts - again an ecological problem. There are so many reasons to search for alternatives. Thankfully, there are some simple, effective and money-saving solutions!

In my quest to green my home and beauty regimen, I picked up a bottle of Castile soap at Whole Foods yesterday. I knew it had many uses, but as I searched the Internet I found even more.

Body: Use directly on loofa, washcloth, or sponge for an invigorating shower or bath.

Bubble Bath/Baby Bath: Pour one capful in running water for a luxurious bath. It’s also a gentle, safe way to bathe your baby (note: as with any baby wash, be sure to keep it out of their eyes).

Fruit Wash: A couple of washes in water cleans pesticide residues off your fruits and vegetables.

Hand Soap: Gentle on your hands and tough on dirt.

General Use Cleaner: Its naturally powerful cleaning ability will get your floors, counters, bathrooms, and kitchen utensils spotlessly clean.

Travelers, Backpackers, Campers: The perfect all-in-one cleaner. One (biodegradable) soap does it all without fouling up the environment.

Recipes:

Household cleanser—One quart water, 1 teaspoon borax, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon castile soap

Soap—use castile soap in concentrated form or diluted with water. 

Acne wash-

1. Pour one cup of liquid castile soap into a bottle. The castile soap will be the base of your natural acne wash.
2. Add 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup vitamin E oil, 1 tsp. tea tree oil and 1 tsp. lavender oil to your bottle of natural acne wash.
3. Melt 1/2 cup of coconut oil in the microwave until it is liquefied, add this to your bottle of natural acne wash.
4. Add one cup of liquid glycerin to the natural acne wash.
5. Put the cap on the bottle and shake it vigorously to mix all of the ingredients of your natural acne wash together.
6. Use this natural acne wash to cleanse your face and body in the same manner you would use a store bought cleanser.

Shampoo—Seven ounces of filtered water, one ounce castile soap, one teaspoon olive oil.

Dishwashing detergent—one measure castile soap to one measure water.

Here are Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 uses for castile soap:

Always dilute for Shave-Shampoo-Massage-Dental Soap-Bath!
Peppermint is nature's own unsurpassed fragrant Deodorant!
A drop is best Mint Toothpaste; brushes Dentures Clean!
A dash in water is the ideal Breath Freshener & Mouth Wash!
Peppermint Oil Soap for Dispensers, Uniforms, Baby, Beach!
Dilute for ideal After Shave, Body Rub, Foot Bath, Douche.
Hot Towel-Massage the entire body, always towards your heart.
Pets, silk, wool & body tingles head to toe - keeps cool!
3 dashes in water rinse most Sprays Off fruit & vegetables!
1/4 oz in qt H2O is Pest Spray! Dash, no rash Diaper-Soap!

For background on the issue, see PBS's "Poisoned Waters"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters/

More reasons to make your own soap:
http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2007/04/help_i_need_to_.html