Product Review: Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds

Always on the lookout for natural products that are green and effective, I decided to give Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds a try. All of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps are made with certified fair trade and organic oils and use only vegetable-based ingredients that are entirely biodegradable. In fact, Dr. Bronner's is an ecologically conscious company; the 'magic soaps' are known for using only clean and natural ingredients.

Being an established fan of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Sal Suds had all the right claims to catch my attention.

Aside from all the green, natural, organic and eco-friendly goodness, there was a practical matter at hand. The clutter of cleaning agents under my sink was completely out of control! And Sal Suds claimed to be an 'all-in-one' solution. Is that really possible?

Product Description

Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds is an eco-friendly all purpose cleaner that has no preservatives and no added color. This product is manufactured with compassion towards animals - which is very important to me - and is certified 100% cruelty-free. The balanced formulation of plant-based surfactants cleans and rinses with strength, and can be used to clean your entire house.

I like the fact that Sal Suds is not soap-based, and the product is positioned as an ideal solution for all general household cleaning jobs. Sal Suds claims to effectively cleans bathrooms; kitchens; walls; appliances, dishes; laundry; floors (even safe for use on hardwood floors); counters; automobiles; almost anything you need a liquid cleaner for. When I hear of a product being completely multi-purpose, with 18-in-1 uses, I'm interested.

Personal Use

My favorite use for Sal Suds is as a dish washing liquid because the Dr. Bonner's soaps are certified under the USDA National Organic Program; there are no hidden preservatives or ingredients and no synthetic dyes or fragrances. Because of this, I even use it to wash my fruits and vegetables. The soap bubbles up nicely and rapidly biodegrades without causing harm to the environment. This green aspect is another important factor when I'm making product decisions.

I use Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds in a variety of ways; it is an excellent laundry detergent as well as a powerful stain remover. I use it to spot-treat particularly stubborn stains before laundering.

As an added bonus, Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds is mild and gentle. I've found that it's even soothing, although it's not technically designed for use on skin (aside, perhaps, from getting it on your hands as you clean dishes or wash fruit).

Packaging and Product Ingredients

All of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps come in recyclable packaging. The company uses 100% post-consumer recycled materials on their bottles and even on their paper labels. As stated on the packaging, Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds ingredients are: Water, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Coco-Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Fir Needle Oil and Spruce Oil.

All of the ingredients in Sal Suds are non-toxic, biodegradable, and completely free of petrochemicals. And the pure essential fir and spruce oils give Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds a wonderfully pleasing aroma. It smells pine-fresh.

Price and Availability

Most natural foods stores carry a range of Dr. Bronner's Liquid Cleaners. I got 16 ounces for around $8.00 from Earth Fare, a regional chain. It lasts a long time, and is well worth the cost. The product is also available at many other online retailers.

Dr. Bonner's sells directly from their website where the prices are:
16 ounces - $7.39, 32 ounces - $11.59, 1 gallon - $36.79

Additional Consideration

Sal Suds is not intended for washing your hair or your body.

I'm surprised there is SLS in Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds. Regarding SLS use, the packaging reads: "Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): This surfactant cuts grease and dirt, generates copious suds, and biodegrades quickly and completely. SLS is made by combining a sulfate group with lauryl alcohol from coconut oil, then attaching sodium. If improperly formulated, SLS can irritate skin, but our superb formula uses coco-betaine and lauryl glucoside to counter this."

I personally am not SLS sensitive so I cannot comment on this claim. I can say that no one in my family has had an adverse reaction to Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds.

I recommend this liquid soap because it works great and smells great; and because I appreciate natural, eco-friendly multi-use products that are manufactured with a conscience.

Sources:
Personal experience
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps product packaging and website

Reviews of other great products with a conscience:
Product Review: V'Tae Sacred Fire Body Lotion
Eco-friendly Product Review: Egyptian Magic