Castile Liquid Soap vs Dawn Dish Soap

It’s ironic how many people associate clean dishes with sparkle and shine, never considering that the dishes are in fact dirty due to the dish soap they used. I get it, we all have our products and routines that we don’t think twice about. However, I think we can all agree that we don’t want to eat off of dishes that have a chemical residue on them. Thankfully, there are truly clean options for dish soap that remove leftover food and cut grease without all of the chemicals. Today, I’m sharing a comparison between Castile liquid soap and Dawn dish soap.

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Castile Liquid Soap vs. Dawn Dish Soap

If you’re considering Castile liquid soap, my goal is for you to know when and how to use it. Of course, I wouldn’t be Gurl Gone Green if I didn’t also give you a list of ingredients commonly found in each soap. Ok, let’s get to the comparison.

What Is Liquid Castile Soap?

Liquid Castile soap is a natural, plant-based cleanser made from vegetable oils. The oils are mixed with an alkali through a process called saponification. It doesn’t contain any synthetic ingredients. The name is a nod to the birth place of olive-oil based soaps, the Castile region of Spain. Dr. Bronner’s is one of the more recognized brands that sells Castile soap and as a trust badge, all of their ingredients are also EWG Verified.

What Is In Castile Liquid Soap?

While not every Castile soap will have this exact formulation, these are ingredients commonly used to create Castile soaps.

• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Castor oil
• Jojoba oil
• Avocado oil
• Olive oil
• Water
• Potassium hydroxide (natural alkali used in the saponification process)
• Glycerin (natural byproduct of the saponification process)

Is Castile Soap Safe For Dishwashing?

Castile soap is not a great choice for dishwashers because it can create too many suds and leave a residue on dishes. However, it is definitely an option for handwashing dishes.

Related Content: Best Non Toxic Dishwasher Detergent

Liquid Castile Soap Benefits

Natural and Non-Toxic

Liquid Castile soap is free from parabens, sulfates (SLS/SLES), and artificial fragrances because it’s made from plant-based oils not synthetic detergents or animal fats.

Gentle Yet Effective Cleanser

The saponified oils remove dirt and grease without stripping natural oils from skin or surfaces.

Eco-Friendly and Biodegradable

Castile soap is biodegradable and contains no harsh chemicals or microplastics making it an eco-friendly cleaning option.

Multi-Purpose and Cost-Effective

You can use Castile soap to replace multiple cleaning products such as:

• Body wash or face wash
• Hand soap
• Dish soap (hand-wash only)
• All-purpose household cleaner
• Laundry detergent
• Pet shampoo
• Fruit and veggie wash

Vegan and Cruelty-Free

Pure Castile soap does not contain animal ingredients and is never tested on animals.

Moisturizing 

The natural glycerin and plant oils help lock in moisture and support skin health. Most conventional soaps use harsh detergents.

Have it Your Way

If you want your Castile soap scented – add some essential oils. If your hands are dry and need some extra moisture – add oils like jojoba or almond. 

Safe for the Whole Family

It’s gentle and non-toxic making it a great option for anyone with sensitive skin, children, and even pets. However, it’s important to use diluted Castile soap.

What Is Dawn Dish Soap?

Dawn dish soap is a synthetic liquid detergent known for its grease-cutting abilities. Unlike Castile soap, Dawn soap uses chemical cleaning agents or surfactants to remove grease.

What Is In Dawn Dish Soap?

• Water (Aqua)
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
• Lauramine Oxide
• Denatured Alcohol
• Sodium Chloride (Salt)
• Phenoxyethanol
• Methylisothiazolinone and/or Methylchloroisothiazolinone
• Fragrance 
• Dyes

Related Content: Best Non Toxic Dish Soap

Is Dawn Dish Soap Safe?

Dawn dish soap is safe to use on dishes, general household cleaning and even with pets. However, because of its synthetic ingredients, it can be drying and even irritating to sensitive skin. Dawn soap is not recommended for use in dishwashers because it can create too many suds.

How To Use Castile Liquid Soap For Washing Dishes

Yes, Castile soap is safe for washing dishes, because it’s made from natural plant oils, biodegradable, and gentle on the skin. 

Castile soap is concentrated, so it’s best to dilute it before using it on your dishes.

DIY Dish Soap Formula

• 1 part Castile soap
• 10 parts warm water
• Optional: 1–2 tsp of baking soda (for extra grease-cutting)

Use it directly on a sponge or mix into a small pump bottle.

What’s your favorite way to use castile soap? Share below!

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