Soap & Soul: A Practical Guide to Minding Your Home, Your Body, and Your Spirit with Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps

by Lisa Bronner

Going Green blogger Lisa Bronner shares her eco-friendly, non-toxic solutions for cleaning and caring for body, home, and beyond. Clean body, clean home, clean spirit! This philosophy is the inspiration that Lisa Bronner―granddaughter of Dr. Emanuel Bronner―carries with her as a mother, homeowner, and company spokesperson for Dr. Bronner’s. Since the company was founded more than 75 years ago, it has been a trailblazer in the natural cleaning community thanks to its quality products and strong dedication to care for consumers and the planet. Now Soap & Soul imparts the secrets you’ll want for cleaning your home, body, and mind the Dr. Bronner’s way. For the reader learning how to go green as well as the loyal Dr. Bronner’s fans, this book is an invaluable resource. Lisa is at the ready to answer any question, from navigating labels and ingredients to understanding how your soaps and fabric softeners work. Organized by room and including charming line illustrations, this book is a recipe for a clean and happy home. 12 illustrations

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

Lisa Bronner is the granddaughter of Emanuel Bronner, founder of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps—the top-selling brand of iconic multi-use Castile Soaps and other fair trade and organic products. A teacher by training and an educator at heart, she is Dr. Bronner’s consumer educator and a spokesperson for the company.

For over 14 years, she has run the healthy living platform, Going Green with Lisa Bronner, through which she has guided many in their transition to greener, simpler, more abundant living. She provides myriad Green-It-Yourself (GIY) recipes for home and body; guidance on ingredient safety and label decoding; and principles for a mindful and resilient life. Her first book, Soap & Soul: A Practical Guide to Minding Your Home, Your Body, and Your Spirit with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, was released October 10, 2023 from Countryman Press, an imprint of W.W. Norton.

Having graduated from Duke University with a B.A. in English and a secondary education teaching certificate, she taught high school English and journalism for four years in Raleigh, NC. She lives in rural San Diego County with her husband and three children, three cats, and one dog. Find her at LisaBronner.com and on Facebook and YouTube.

Reviews

[Lorinda Christene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Changing my cleaning products thanks to this book. I had already made the green switch in most areas decades ago, but this is a fresh reminder of why I made that decision. It also taught me how to make the conversion in other areas I haven’t switched yet like the laundry room and bathtub/toilet cleaning. It’s also encouraging to hear of how ethical this company is environmentally and socially. I knew I was drawn to the brand for a reason. I’ll be a lifetime supporter. This book could be improved with a reference chapter for all the cleaning dilutions/recipes in one convenient place so I don’t have to search from chapter to chapter for the ratios/ingredients.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often review books. This one was so good, I ordered a hard copy while listening to the audio book… and consumed both in two days. If you are a mom trying to make better choices for your kids this book gives you easy to make swaps and teaches you the chemistry/efficacy of different ingredients and techniques. The tragic history of her family left in Germany is an incredible story alone. I also appreciated her photos, tutorials and videos available on the books website.

[Andrew Mossberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice book that explores the 1001 uses of Dr Bronner’s soaps and also includes heartfelt anecdotes, personal memories, and history of the company and founder. If you’ve ever wondered how to use Dr Bronner’s for cleaning something, this book likely has the details. Distills the wealth of knowledge shared by Lisa Bronner in her Going Green blog.

[Megan Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book combines recipes, soap and cleaning science, history about the Dr. Bronner's soap company, and heartwarming stories from the author's life. I really enjoyed learning why soap works, how to easily and cheaply make my own cleaning products, and tips for a clean and sane life. I reference the book every week or so to look up recipes. Makes cleaning feel like a childhood science experiment!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated her breakdown of fake vs real labels and it had me facing reality in all the ways I’ve allowed myself to be a victim of false advertising with all these new companies coming out with “natural” products. Also like her numerous descriptions on how to use Bronner’s products and basic chemistry for other products we use like baking soda.

[Jenn. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as audiobook borrowed from Hoopla. Appreciate that it is narrated by the author.

Fun read about the Bronner business, soaps & family. Filled with company info, family stories and cleaning how tos. Really enjoyed.

[Debbie Sarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing. I’ve been searching for natural cleaning and personal products that actually work. I think I may have found them. Love the company’s cosmic principles. A nicely written book that explains the science of cleaning, with humor and personal success and hiccups.

[Mary Gabbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected tear jerker!! Such a great story I knew basically nothing about woven throughout recipes for cleaning products. I enjoyed the soap already but the history and stories really makes me happy to be a consumer and get more of their products!

[Christy Wilhelmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part memoir, part soap commercial. It’s an interesting read because of the science behind soap making and the family stories, along with DIY recipes for cleaning solutions. Worth having on the shelf.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. There's so much here. While I bought it for the cleaning info, I laughed and cried as I learned about the Bronner family. A real treasure!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I did not read every word in this book. It has so much information and useful recipes. I should probably own it and not just read the library copy! You go Lisa Bronner and all your family.

[Mackenzie Albrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part how-to cleaning guide, part memoir, part insider look into the Dr. Bronner soap company. I really enjoyed this book and all the helpful tips it provided!

[Kaitlin]

You ever voluntarily read an advertisement in the form of a book?

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Loved all the ideas for how to use Dr. Bronners.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely so helpful and well-written. Of course, it’s written to sell you something, but it gives you lots of other sources and materials, as well as excellent advice.

[Sarah Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good for decluttering your household cleaner collection!

[Rachel Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource that should be on everyone's shelves.

[Taryn Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

this will now be the first book i recommend to people when they are looking to simplify and detoxify their home