Common questions answered by our research team
Yes, Dr Bronners Castille Soap Refill by Dr. Bronner's has excellent safety credentials with a Safety Score of 9.0/10 based on our analysis of ingredients, certifications, and regulatory compliance. Our research methodology evaluates potential toxicity, allergen risks, and safety testing data.
Source: Auto-generated from product data
Dr Bronners Castille Soap Refill has an R3 Score of 8.7/10. This score is calculated from three weighted factors: Safety (40%), Efficacy (30%), and Value (30%). Our methodology analyzes 1,000+ data points from peer-reviewed studies, FDA databases, and real-world testing.
Source: Auto-generated from product data
Based on our analysis, Dr Bronners Castille Soap Refill offers excellent value at $39.99. It earns a Value Score of 9.0/10, which considers price-per-use, durability, and comparison to alternatives in the personal care category.
Source: Auto-generated from product data
Dr Bronners Castille Soap Refill ranks among the top in our personal care category with an R3 Score of 8.7/10. View our full Personal Care rankings to see how it compares to alternatives on safety, efficacy, and value.
Source: Auto-generated from product data
Dr Bronners Castille Soap Refill is manufactured by Dr. Bronner's. At Raised on Research, we independently evaluate all products regardless of brand reputation, focusing solely on scientific evidence and real-world performance data.
Source: Auto-generated from product data
Last updated: November 26, 2025
Dr. Bronner's
$39.99
Dr Bronners Castille Soap Refill by Dr. Bronner's earns an R3 Score of 8.7/10, rating "excellent" among personal care products. Our research analyzed safety (9.0/10), efficacy (8.0/10), and value (9.0/10) using 1,000+ data points from peer-reviewed studies, regulatory databases, and real-world testing.
Overall
Safety
Efficacy
Value
Organic castile soap concentrate for body, home, and everything. One bottle replaces dozens of products with simple, honest ingredients.
Calculated using category-specific weights for personal care products.
Ingredient toxicity, allergen risk, regulatory compliance
Performance testing, clinical studies, user reviews
Brand: Dr. Bronner's Category: Personal Care
Dr. Bronner's is the OG of clean, multi-purpose soap—a certified organic, fair trade castile soap that's been made with the same simple formula since 1948. The eccentric labels (covered in philosophical text) are iconic, but the product inside is genuinely excellent: concentrated, versatile, and made with ingredients you can actually pronounce.
One bottle of Dr. Bronner's can replace body wash, hand soap, dish soap, floor cleaner, laundry soap, and more. It's the ultimate minimalist cleaning product.
Dr. Bronner's ingredient list is remarkably short: water, organic coconut oil, organic palm kernel oil, organic olive oil, potassium hydroxide (to make soap), organic hemp oil, organic jojoba oil, citric acid, and tocopherol. That's it for the unscented version.
Concerns addressed: USDA Certified Organic. Fair Trade certified. No synthetic detergents, foaming agents, or preservatives. Biodegradable. Gray water and septic safe.
As a body wash and hand soap, Dr. Bronner's cleans effectively—the coconut oil base creates good lather even though it's true soap, not synthetic detergent. It can feel slightly "stripping" for very dry skin (add some oil or use less).
The versatility is real: diluted properly, it works for dishes, floors, laundry, and even as a gentle produce wash. The 18-in-1 claims are mostly legitimate with the right dilution ratios.
Cost per use, durability, comparable alternatives
Why these weights?
Personal care products balance safety (40%) with effectiveness (30%) and value (30%) for daily-use items.
The refill bottle is exceptional value. At $35-40 for 140 oz, that's roughly $0.25-0.30 per oz. Concentrated, it lasts months. Compare to typical body wash ($0.50-1.00/oz) or specialty cleaners ($1+/oz).
Cost per use: Varies by application, but typically $0.05-0.10 per use when properly diluted Comparable alternatives: Kirk's Castile ($0.20/oz), Seventh Generation ($0.15/oz), conventional soap ($0.10/oz)
Dr. Bronner's is a genuinely excellent product that lives up to its cult status. For families wanting to simplify their cleaning routine with one safe, effective, versatile product, it's hard to beat. The refill size is the smartest buy—fill smaller bottles around the house and reduce plastic waste.
Best for: Minimalists, eco-conscious families, sensitive skin, multi-purpose use, camping/travel, reducing plastic waste, value-conscious shoppers.
Skip if: You prefer specialized products for each use, you have very dry skin (can be drying), or you want a conventional soap experience.
Evidence supporting our analysis
USDA Organic certification verifies products meet strict standards for organic ingredients and processing.
Usda→USDA Organic Certification RequirementsDr. Bronner's products consistently rate well in EWG database for ingredient safety.
EWG→EWG Skin Deep: Dr. Bronner'sTrue soaps (saponified oils) biodegrade more readily than synthetic detergents and may cause less skin irritation.
PubMed→Castile Soap vs Synthetic DetergentsFair Trade certification ensures ethical sourcing, fair wages, and sustainable farming practices.
Fairtrade→Fair Trade Certification StandardsEPA Safer Choice recommends biodegradable, plant-based cleaning products for reduced environmental impact.
Epa→Environmental Impact of Cleaning ProductsNo similar products from Dr. Bronner's found