So many of you recommend castile soap for tack and I’ve wanted to try it. To my surprise, I spotted these options available at Walmart last night. Has anyone used these versus castile from a tack shop? Didn’t know if the oils & scents could cause issues? Thanks!
https://www.walmart.com/ip/3-pack-Dr-Bronner-s-Baby-Unscented-Bar-Soap/674441289
https://www.walmart.com/ip/3-Pack-Equate-Beauty-Pure-Castile-Soap-Lavender-32-Fl-Oz/609096626
I use Dr Bronner’s peppermint on pretty much all of my tack, no issues. I’ve used their other oil/scented lines in the past without issue too. Just make sure to follow with a conditioner of some sort. Castile soap is GREAT for cleaning, but very drying.
I’ve used the Dr Bonners lavender, generally diluted on tack. Love it. It cleans really well without really stripping, and the scent was very nice.
As long as it’s real Castile soap, the scent or manufacturer shouldn’t matter. I just get the plain kind, as some scents drive my nose, face and eyes crazy due to my many allergies. And just for future looksey loos, Castile Soap’s base is olive oil and originated in Spain. Great stuff… been using it since 1970. 
Hm, I actually have the pepperment soap here (was gifted by a friend, it’s fab!).
How much/are you diluting for tack cleaning?
But I will ask where ya’ll got the Peppermint scented Castile soap? Peppermint does not cause itching or watery eyes for me and I bet that smells lovely.
I’m not really diluting, I treat it like regular liquid soap - put a drop of it on a tack sponge or rag, and “curry” in. Wipe down with damp rag. You could do it diluted, sure.
@4LeafCloverFarm I am getting mine at a local grocery store. I have seen it in Trader Joes, Walmart, and they have a website, too.
I’ve only ever used Kirk’s Castile (I think) white bar in a white wrapper with red and blue. I’ve gotten it at the grocery store before and I think at Wal-Mart. But I imagine any brand is probably ok.
Exactly what I do. Nothing’s better for getting gunky grime off. I’ve used lavender in the past in hopes the calming scent will work on my nutty little mare :lol: but the other one tends to the pluggy side, so maybe I should look into the peppermint instead!
Yep! That’s it. Most groceries have it in the cleaning aisle. I’ve just never seen or heard of it scented… or liquid! I clearly need to get out more. :lol:
Cool! I looked it up at work today, and can get it here, too (yay employee discount), so thanks for the advice!
I’ve used the liquid and bar Castile Soap, scent of the day. I like using the liquid over the bar as a step of wetting the sponge has been eliminated. I use a tack sponge with the liquid Castile soap to wipe down the tack. I then use a microfiber cloth to wipe the lather off of the tack. I continue to do this until the microfiber cloth comes away clean.
I agree this will need to be followed with a conditioning step. On the other hand it your tack has been over oiled/conditioned it may help to get it back into better balance.
@4LeafCloverFarm - Krogers has it in the health/beauty aisle. I have the Pure Castile, the Simple Truth brand, peppermint scented, liquid.
Thanks! Well, that’s why I probably missed it’s existence… I don’t shop in the “Beauty” isle. :lol::lol::lol:
I love Kirks and use it practically daily - the bar, though. A friend’s horse reacted to tack cleaned with the liquid, and isn’t ordinarily a princess about product. I don’t find it that drying, though I do wipe with a clean sponge after soaping and follow with a rub of good saddle “soap.” Current favorite is Emerald Valley leather soap, which has tallow along with tea tree oil, so a good light conditioner that smells good.
Kirk’s here. We’ve only used it on sheaths. Might try it on tack after reading this thread.
After I read about using castile soap here, I tried it on my bridle. I used Kirks, formerly used for sheaths and general hand soap in the barn. Pleasantly surprised at how well it removed the oily gunk on the reins that seems to be left behind by Effol Combi and not removed by various liquid saddle soaps…
I use Kirks castile soap also on my horse’s almost white tail. It works very well for that and feels conditioned after. Kirks is made with mostly coconut oil; I recently got, but haven’t tried, Dr. Bonners liquid, which is, I believe mostly olive oil.
In any event, it is easy to find on Amazon - my go to first place!
Bonus! My horse is a gray so I will now definitely get some and try on his tail, too. Thanks!
I get This on Amazon. I dilute it 1:1 with water in a squeeze bottle (like a diner ketchup dispenser).
Keep it by the sink in the tack room.
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