Castile Soap vs Regular Soap | What’s Better?

Castile Soap seems to be all the rage at the moment, and for good reason: it is eco friendly, biodegradable, and boasts so many different uses that it is almost unbelievable. But is it a similar, or maybe even better, choice as regular, or plain, soap?

There are many things to consider when choosing between Castile Soap vs Regular Soap, whether that is recipes and the ingredients in them, cost and affordability, cleansing power, or all of the above. In this detailed comparison guide we will discuss all the differences between Castile Soap vs Regular Soap and tell you everything you need to know to make an informed choice!

What’s the Difference Between Castile Soap and Regular Soap?

The only real difference between Castile Soap and Regular Soap is that Castile Soap is far more environmentally friendly than Regular Soap because it is plant based and made from vegetable oils. Regular, or plain, soaps are often made with animal fats and added chemicals to increase fragrance or lather, but Castile Soap has none of those ingredients or chemicals and is also fully biodegradable.

What is Castile Soap?

Castile Soap is soap made from plant based oils and comes in both bar and liquid form. It originates from the Castile region of Spain and was extremely popular in 16th century Europe. It has been in production ever since.

What are the Ingredients in Castile Soap?

Castile Soap can be made from many different types of plant based, vegetable oils. The most popular are jojoba, olive, palm kernel, coconut, and hemp.

How Does Castile Soap Work?

Castile Soap works similarly to the way regular soap works, in that they both are designed to lift and remove bacteria, germs, dirt, and oils from surfaces.

Does Castile Soap Have a Scent?

Castile soap usually has a natural scent but essential oils can be added to any Castile soap mixture to improve or add a scent!

Is Castile Soap Considered a Vegan Soap?

Castile Soap is considered a Vegan Soap because it does not have animal fats added to it the way certain other soaps do.

Is Castile Soap pH Neutral?

Castile Soap is not pH Neutral as it registers at 8.9 on the pH scale and a 7 on the pH scale, which goes from 1 to 14, is considered neutral. Baking soda registers around the same level as Castile Soap. However, if you are on the lookout for a pH neutral cleaner, we have a whole list of them right here!

Is Castile Soap Antibacterial?

Castile Soap is not usually antibacterial but this doesn’t mean that it can’t get rid of bacteria and germs. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Castile Soap naturally removes bacteria and germs from surfaces unlike antibacterial soap and cleansers, which merely kill the bacteria and germs but leave them there.

Is Castile Soap Safe for Babies?

Is Castile Soap Safe for Babies

Castile Soap is safe to be used on babies! Castile Soap is a good option for sensitive skin–whether this is baby skin or not–since it is gentle and all natural, and because it is made from vegetable oil, Castile Soap won’t dry out your skin, or your baby’s!

Is Castile Soap Safe for Pets?

Castile Soap is safe to be used on pets! Since it is gentle, all natural, and made from vegetable oil it won’t harm or damage your pet’s skin. If the Castile Soap you plan on using has essential oils in it, please use caution. Not all pets are created equally and certain essential oils are toxic to some and not others, so if you plan to bathe your pet using Castile Soap, make sure you purchase and use one without essential oils!

Can You Use Castile Soap for Laundry?

You can definitely use Castile Soap for laundry! Since it is gentle, all natural, and made from vegetable oil it won’t harm or damage your skin or your clothes. Using Castile Soap in your laundry is an especially good idea if you or someone in your household has sensitive skin.

What to Do if You Get Castile Soap in Your Eye?

Similarly to when you get regular soap in your eye, it is best not to rub your eye as this can spread the residue around. Take care to gently flush your eye with cool, running water until it no longer feels as if it is burning.

What are the Best Castile Soaps?

1. Dr. Bronner’s Dr. Bronner’s - Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Peppermint, 8 ounce) - Made with Organic Oils, 18-in-1 Uses: Face, Body, Hair, Laundry, Pets and Dishes, Concentrated, Vegan, Non-GMO

One of the best Castile Soaps around is Dr. Bronner’s. Available in liquid and bar soap, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap is always made with organic materials which are certified fair trade. This means that their ingredients were made under ethical working conditions and are priced fairly for all consumers. Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap is fully biodegradable and vegan in every sense: these soaps are not made from animals in any way nor are they tested on animals at all, which means they are also ideal for sensitive skin!

Continuing the all natural precedence set by the ingredients they use, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soaps are packaged with 100% recycled materials and are scented with peppermint oil.

Famously, Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap boasts 18 uses in one bottle, from every day cleaning to laundry to dishes to bathing your pets, and so much more.

2. Carolina Castile Soap Unscented Castile Soap Liquid - 32 oz Vegan & Pure Organic Soap - Carolina Castile Soap - Concentrated Non Drying All Natural Formula Good for Sensitive Skin (32 Ounces)

Another great brand of Castile Soap is Carolina Castile Soap. Carolina Castile Soap is ideal for sensitive skin as it contains no artificial fragrances and won’t dry out your skin like regular soaps. It even moisturizes and softens your skin. Carolina Castile Soap is vegan in every sense: these soaps are not made from animals in any way nor are they tested on animals at all. And, unlike other brands of castile soap, Carolina Castile Soaps are made without palm oil.

Carolina Castile Soaps are designed to be used as body wash/soap though you can also use it as shampoo for you and your pets, laundry soap, etc., and you can even use it to make your own soap products.

3. Cove Castile Soap Cove Castile Soap Unscented - 1 Liter / 33.8 fl oz - Organic Argan, Jojoba, and Hemp Oils

Another great brand of Castile Soap is Cove Castile Soap. Cove Castile Soap offers many different scents for you to choose from, including citrus, lavender, peppermint, tea rose, and tea tree. They also offer an unscented version that is made without artificial fragrances or essential oils which is ideal for those with sensitive skin, including babies and pets. Cove Castile Soaps will also moisturize your skin and won’t dry it out!

Cove Castile Soaps are always fully biodegradable and vegan in every sense: these soaps are not made from animals in any way nor are they tested on animals at all. And, unlike other castile soaps, those made by Cove Castile Soaps are produced without any palm oil in their recipe.

Finally, Cove Castile Soaps boast many uses. From body soap to shampoo to laundry soap to a cleanser for just about every inch of your home, and so much more. Just dilute it with water to use it!

What is Regular Soap?

The first thing to know about regular, or plain, soap is that it is different from antibacterial soap. Regular soap does not have the added chemicals that antibacterial soap does and is designed to simply remove dirt and oils from different surfaces.

What are the Typical Ingredients in Regular Soaps?

Most Regular Soaps are made out of lye and animal fats, though others can also be made out of vegetable oils.

Are Regular Soaps Safe for Babies?

In general, Regular Soaps are not safe to be used with babies because they often contain things like fragrances and surfactants. Surfactants are used to produce lather and have been known, alongside fragrances, to irritate sensitive skin.

Are Regular Soaps Safe for Pets?

Are Regular Soaps Safe for Pets

In general, Regular Soaps are not safe to be used on pets because of the chemicals and additives they contain. Most regular soaps often contain things like fragrances and surfactants. Surfactants are used to produce lather and have been known, alongside fragrances, to irritate sensitive skin.

What are Some Examples of Regular Soaps?

There are many different kinds of Regular, or plain, soaps on the market right now. Some of the most popular of these brands are Dove, Dawn, Dial, SoftSoap, Ivory, and even Cetaphil.

Comparison Questions: Castile Soap vs Regular Soaps

Is Castile Soap the More Eco-Friendly Option?

Castile Soap is definitely the more eco-friendly option when compared with regular, or plain, soaps.

What’s More Affordable?

Castile Soap is, generally, slightly more expensive than regular soap, whether in bar form or liquid form.

Is Castile Soap Just as Powerful as a Cleaner as Regular Soaps?

Castile Soap is just as powerful in its cleaning power when compared to regular soaps–and it is totally gentle on your skin, which means it won’t cause any irritations when you clean with it.

The Verdict – What’s the Better Soap?

There are many things to consider when deciding between Castile Soap or Regular Soap, as there are many differences between the two. But to answer the question of which is the better soap depends on what you are looking for.

Castile Soap is an environmentally friendly choice and is ideal for those with sensitive skin, though it can be more expensive than plain soap. However, its uses are almost endless and might be worth the cost to some. In the end, the choice is yours to make and depends on what is important to you when looking for soap for your household.