I first started using Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap, years ago, on my Hubby’s locs and it always left a white residue and build up, lathering was hit or miss, and it just seemed too “liquidity”. A few months ago, after several recommendations to try it on my locs, I decided to give it another chance. It was then that I learned the main reason why I hated Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap was that I had been using it completely wrong as a shampoo — and here’s why.
The Dr.Bronner’s Label Matters
I know many of us only read a label to find out if the ingredients are natural — “Great, I can pronounce most of what’s on here …**Throws in Cart**” — I’ve been guilty of this more times than not.
What’s different about the Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap is that the label has the ingredients AND instructions, that really matter. I honestly. I never thought to read the instructions because I’d like to think I know how to use shampoo, but here’s the thing, Dr.Bronner’s is a castile soap that can be used as shampoo. **cue fluorescent lightbulb**
Just trying to pour it out of the bottle into my hair was completely wrong! I realized that it wasn’t a shampoo and that I needed to read the directions because it explained the dilution ratios for each of the 18 different ways the Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap could be used.
After using it correctly, my opinion of the Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap changed — I don’t hate it! The Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap works pretty well for really cleaning locs. However, you have to be very mindful of the potential for soap scum in your locs.
Let’s talk more about the Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap! Next week’s topic — The Pros and Cons of Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap as Shampoo.
In the meantime, let me know if you’ve tried the Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap in your hair and how it has worked for you.
Share this:
Blog Comments
Davida Coleman
August 20, 2015 at 3:32 pm
I’ve been loc’d 13yrs and have always used Dr. Woods Almond Castile soap and LOVE IT!! …I’m very interested to hear of your pros and cons of castile soap.
Jocelyn Reneé
August 20, 2015 at 8:55 pm
I’ve never heard of Dr.Wood’s Castile Soap, I’ll have to look into it! Thank you for sharing!
Name
April 1, 2020 at 8:21 pm
Bronners is the worst drying ‘Castle’ soap I ve ever used. It’s horrible! Ruined my kitchen and bathroom metals, leaving rings too even diluted to the max. I use an other brand now called Green Beaver, far better at all levels. Bronners is a scam, he’s not eve a ‘DR’!! So many better brands out there I don’t get it why people stick with that shitty brand!!!! Their SUDs one has SLS as in Sodium Lauryl Sufate, wow, seriously??!!
Tameka
August 20, 2015 at 6:28 pm
I’ve been using dr. Bronners for over 10 years. On my 1st set locks which I had for 11 years and now on my 2nd set which are 1.5 years old. I use it on my 8 year old son too. I love how I don’t need a lot and find that it spreads very easily through my hair and my son’s. It also leaves it queaky clean after one shampoo–we don’t use lots of products in our hair. I’m currently using the I unscented version and plan to stick with it. I also use dr bronners for the other uses mentioned on the bottle.
Jocelyn Reneé
August 20, 2015 at 8:56 pm
I love the squeaky clean feeling too after shampooing with Dr. Bronner’s. Only recently have I discovered the other uses for it as well.
phyllis
August 20, 2015 at 9:58 pm
I use Dr. Bronners on my face and hands, but didn’t like it for my locs. Maybe I was using it wrong too! I just ordered some Dr. Woods castile soap, it’ll be interesting to see how it compares.
Jocelyn Reneé
August 20, 2015 at 10:23 pm
You’re the second to mention Dr. Woods Castile Soap – I definitely need to look into it! Please come back and share your experience with Dr. Woods after you give it a try, I’m curious too!
Davida Coleman
August 20, 2015 at 11:20 pm
Dr. Woods Castile soap come in many scents, as do Dr. Bonners. It was once sold in my local grocery store, and whole foods/co-op stores, but it was scarce and pricey. I love the almond scent, and they have an almond version with shea butter as well. I use it for my hair but also my face at times, and to shave as well. When I was out I did try Dr. Bonners that I found locally in Target, but I did not care for it. I look forward to your Dr. Woods review.
Serena "luvndanaturalme" Morrison
August 22, 2015 at 11:38 am
I just started using Dr Bronners Castille Soap on my hair. I have the small 4oz bottle and after reading your blog post I was looking for the instructions on how to use it as a shampoo but its not on there. Probably because I have the tiny bottle and not the larger bottle. I am sure there is only so much they can put on the label for a 4 oz bottle. I guess I will try and google the instructions. I purchased the lavender scent and found mine at The Vitamin Shoppe
Jocelyn Reneé
August 23, 2015 at 9:48 pm
Lavender scent is one of my favorites— followed by Peppermint! Yes I believe the smaller bottles don’t list the hair directions, only the bigger bottle. But it says to dilute the shampoo in water, I only have a little bottle now too so I don’t know exactly. Most people say to play around with the ratios until you find what works best for you.
Chryel Smoot
August 31, 2015 at 7:49 am
I have never used the soap however I did pick up two small 2oz bottles from Target. Now that I have read your post, I will give it a try and let you know what I think.
Jocelyn Reneé
September 9, 2015 at 1:16 am
Yes! Please let me know how you like it!
Dr.Bronner's Castile Soap as Shampoo Product Review | CurlyNuGrowth
September 14, 2015 at 7:01 am
[…] If you’ve been following my journey for awhile, you know I’ve mentioned before how much I hated using the Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap as a shampoo—until I realized I wasn’t using it right, and now I can’t get […]
F. Alexis
September 23, 2015 at 1:20 pm
I’ve used Dr. Bronner’s off/on for years… I’ve always loved how clean it gets my hair, even if it was very drying. My first round with it was around the 1-2 year mark of my journey. I was still learning about my hair & sifting through all the loc myths. Anyway, it dried my hair out so badly (I wasn’t conditioning) that you could HEAR my locs brushing against each other (think leaves)… I stopped using it & returned to it a few years later. As long as I follow with a conditioner, my hair is fine.
Favourite scents: almond, lavender.
Jocelyn Reneé
October 1, 2015 at 9:03 am
Yes, following up with a moisture treatment will balance using the Castile soap and/or diluting it before applying it to your hair.
J. Richard
October 1, 2015 at 6:37 pm
I’have’t use Dr Bronner soap, I will give it a try.Is their a moisture treatment by Dr.Bronner
Jocelyn Reneé
October 3, 2015 at 3:24 am
Dr. Bronner’s does have a Hair Rinse that they recommend after using the Castile Soap, but I personally have never tried it. I like to follow Castile soap with an Herbal or Moisturizing shampoo.
Why I Stopped Using Shea Butter In My Hair | CurlyNuGrowth
December 10, 2015 at 8:00 am
[…] Related Article: Why I Hated Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap in My Hair […]
Tiff
October 24, 2016 at 2:55 pm
I’ve been using the bar version of Dr. Bronners soap (Tea Tree) for the three years I’ve had lots and it’s been the best cleaning solution for my hair. The first time I had locs for 8 years and I used so much product that it was full of buildup.
I’ve never tried the liquid soap version but I highly recommend the bar. And it lasts forever.
Jocelyn Reneé
November 24, 2016 at 2:44 am
I never would have thought to use the Dr. Bronners shampoo bar on my locs. Thanks for sharing that tip!
Ally
August 16, 2018 at 4:38 pm
This soap was a nightmare for me. I have eczema and it didn’t make it better, it made it worse. I have new spots after using it and the saddest part? When i used it in my hair it fell out by the globs. I contacted the makers and they wanted to send me more. I am truly sad by this.
Michelle
July 24, 2019 at 9:37 pm
What’s the ratio 1 part to what? I love Castile soap and would like to use it
Jocelyn Reneé
May 15, 2020 at 10:57 pm
I share the dilution “cheat sheet” in the “Dr.Bronner’s Castile Soap as Shampoo Product Review” article. Check it out!