Soft Scrub with Castile Soap and Bicarbonate of Soda
A gentle, creamy scrub for sinks, tubs, taps and toilets. Bicarbonate of Soda gives it a mild scrubbing grit, and Castile Soap lifts the grease, so it tackles everyday grime without scratching most hard surfaces.
Takes 2 minutes · Makes enough for a kitchen and bathroom clean
What you’ll need
- 4 tbsp Bicarbonate of Soda
- 1 tbsp Organic Castile Soap
- 1 to 2 tsp water
- Up to 10 drops 100% Pure Essential Oils (optional)
- Bowl or jar for mixing
- Sponge or brush
- Premium Microfibre Cloth
Method
- In a bowl or jar, mix 4 tbsp Bicarbonate of Soda with 1 tbsp Organic Castile Soap.
- Add water a few drops at a time, just enough to make a soft, creamy paste.
- Add up to 10 drops of 100% Pure Essential Oils if desired.
- Apply with a sponge or brush and scrub gently.
- Rinse off, or wipe away with a damp Premium Microfibre Cloth.
Deodorises, degreases and cleans worktops, sinks, tubs, taps, appliances and toilets.
Bicarbonate of Soda is a soft, fine powder, so it scrubs without being harsh. It’s also mildly alkaline, which helps loosen grease and neutralise acidic odours. Castile Soap surrounds the loosened grease and dirt so they rinse away with water. Together, they make a scrub that lifts grime rather than just pushing it around.
Essential Oils: Stir them in last. Essential Oils are very potent, so a few drops go a long way.
The science: Sodium bicarbonate (PubChem, NIH) →
Glass:
Soft Scrub is mildly abrasive and can scratch glass and mirrors, and Castile Soap can leave streaks. Use our Window & Glass Cleaner instead.
Aluminium:
The Bicarbonate of Soda in Soft Scrub can make aluminium oxidise over time, which turns the surface brown. If you do use it on aluminium pots and pans, rinse them straight away.
Natural Stone:
Avoid natural stone such as marble, limestone and granite, and quartz worktops. Repeated scrubbing can scratch the surface and wear away the sealant.
Wood:
Keep Soft Scrub off wood. The Bicarbonate of Soda can wear away the finish, and Castile Soap can break down waxed and oiled finishes, leaving the surface dull.
Antique Silver:
Soft Scrub is too abrasive for antique silver. It can strip the patina and make the silver tarnish more quickly over time.
Gold-Plated Items:
Gold is a soft metal, so Soft Scrub can scratch gold-plated cutlery and dishes. Over time, the plating can wear off.
Soft Scrub dries out quickly, so mix only what you need. Leftovers keep for a week or two in a sealed jar. If the paste has dried, a few drops of water bring it back.
Store Bicarbonate of Soda and Castile Soap sealed tightly, in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children and pets.
Bicarbonate of Soda can dry out your hands, so wear rubber gloves if you have sensitive skin. Avoid contact with your eyes.
B&M Pro-Tip 1:
Let it do the work. Soft Scrub clings to sinks, tiles and the inside of the toilet bowl, so apply it and leave it for 5 to 10 minutes on stubborn grime before you scrub. Less elbow grease, same result. Spotted a faint white film once it dries? That’s leftover bicarb or hard-water minerals. Wipe over with our Citric Acid Cleaner, then rinse.
B&M Pro-Tip 2:
Use acids and alkalis one after the other, never in one bottle: scrub first, rinse, then descale with Citric Acid if you need to. pH, Acids & Bases →
B&M Pro-Tip 3:
Lemon Essential Oil is the one to pick for greasy or sticky residue. Which oil for which job →
Quick questions
Can I add vinegar to Soft Scrub?
No. Vinegar fizzes with Bicarbonate of Soda and cancels it out, and it curdles Castile Soap. If you need to tackle limescale, rinse first and use our Citric Acid Cleaner separately.
Will it scratch my stainless steel sink?
Bicarbonate of Soda is gentle enough for stainless steel. Scrub in the direction of the grain and rinse well.
Can I use it on an acrylic bath?
Acrylic scratches more easily than enamel, so use a soft cloth rather than a brush, scrub lightly and test a small hidden area first.
Try this next: Bicarb Quick Clean →