Liquid Castile soap is versatile, but I would not use the idea of versatility to mean that one soap should be designed identically for every purpose. The cleansing need changes dramatically between skin, a baby, a pet, greasy dishes and a floor. The oil choice should reflect that difference.
For ordinary skin cleansing
For face wash, body wash and hand wash, the workshop favors a milder cleansing direction rather than maximum degreasing. Olive oil is associated with these uses, and mixed-oil soaps can balance lather, texture and cleansing feel.
For babies
Babies do not need high cleansing. I prefer olive oil because of its mildness rather than choosing an oil simply because it produces the most foam. A highly diluted cleanser can also be acceptable where strong lather is not the priority.
For pets
Pet wash is approached differently. Dogs and cats have hair and are not bathed every day, so stronger cleansing is considered useful. Coconut oil is therefore discussed as a suitable base. At the same time, I recommend avoiding essential oils and fragrance oils in pet products because dogs and cats can become irritated by them.
For household cleaning
For dishes, laundry, floors, glass and kitchen cleaning, coconut-oil Castile soap becomes the workhorse because of its high cleansing and abundant lather. Even here, the desired foam depends on the task. A floor cleaner should not create excessive foam simply because coconut soap is capable of producing it.
The principle behind all four cases
The common thread is not a universal recipe but a decision rule: match cleansing strength to the job. Skin is washed regularly and does not usually need the degreasing action wanted for greasy utensils or household surfaces. Babies need even less aggressive cleansing. Pets and household applications introduce their own practical needs.
Castile soap is versatile because its character can be changed through the choice of oils and the way the finished product is used. Versatility should therefore mean choosing appropriately for each application, not assuming that every user and surface needs the same cleansing profile.
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