let’s talk about Dr. Bronner’s Magic all-One Castile Soap,
Peppermint, to be exact.

I love it!
I would drink it if my digestive track allowed me to.
That tingly pepperminty sensation, the sweet minty aroma, the invigorating lather that leaves me squeeky clean.

For some, it is recommended to use lotion afterwards, unless you have oily skin, and if you do like I do, ah it’s fantastic!
Just enough oil-wicking to calm down skin, but not over-drying like other oily skin soaps. You may notice it is All-One Soap, and taking a look at the short novel on the label, you get the idea of how extensive the use of this product is. For babies! For cleaning! for Laundry! for Shampoo! For brushing your teeth!
Yes, it can do all that and—- it’s biodegradable, vegan, and fantastically stricken with a hippie vibe.

It is a bit pricey per bottle, though, and for that reason, I treat it as a rare commodity. It is from this 32 ounce bottle I take 2 drops from to wash my face with. Three months later, I am counting the last few drops, diluting them with water to get every minty drop out. I am afraid I only have one or two more minty shower experiences, and it will be gone.
When it’s gone, it’s gone, and my morning shower is dull, un-tingly, and not filled with minty vibrance. So how do we find a better price? 32 ounce bottle on the official Dr. Bronner’s website goes for $14.99. yipes! (keep in mind, it does last a while, as it is quite potent (DILUTE! DILUTE!), but still- yipes!)
A full gallon costs $52.49. for soap. (a bit too much for a one-time purchase for an unemployed gal in this economy)

I have seen this stuff at 2 places mostly- Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Both under $10 for the 32 ounce size, the cheapest being at Whole Foods. Amazing- huh. It’s the only time I go to Whole Foods and check out not feeling like I was just overcharged for a bunch of over-hyped organic food.
Eight dollars and some change. What a deal! a little over half the online price, and I have yet to hear of a better price.
I read about filling stations where you can take your empty bottle and refill it, saving money and plastic from the landfills. I have yet to find a place that will do that. I would be there in a heartbeat, with my empty bottles, refilling and telling the masses about this fantastic soap, the economically feasible refill options, and the environmental statement it makes.

Just emailed the company to see if refill stations are just a tall tale from the local hippies.

UPDATE: well it seems like its been ages since I bought Dr Bronner’s at Whole Foods. They used to have it cheap, but now it’s 11 something. I did not get it there, BUT when I was at Trader Joe’s I saw it for 8.99 for the 32 ounce bottle. Ladies and Gentlemen, the cheapest price around.

and Dr. Bronner’s company emailed me back saying they are not in charge of who has a filling station in their store. Some vendors buy the big 5 gallon containers to use for refilling, but there is no way to find out. She then suggested I buy a 5 gallon jug to refill my own and save money. Technically that would save me money… but just a 1 gallon jug is $52.49. The 5 gallon would be over $200 bucks…

Did I mention I am unemployed? And food tends to be a priority (silly, silly food).