Shelf life
Castile soap on its own has a long shelf life if stored correctly (up to 2 years). Once diluted with water and without preservatives, the water becomes the limiting factor. I recommend making small batches and using them within a six months. Store in a clean, sealed bottle.

If you made it too thick or thin
If the wash is too thick, dilute with a small amount of water and mix gently. If it’s too thin, allow it to rest for an hour, as the gel can continue to thicken over time and then if needed add some more xanthan gum. Mix xanthan gum with glycerine first to form the paste otherwise it will clump.

Using Castile Soap undiluted
This recipe shows you how to dilute and thicken a water and soap based solution. You could of course just use the Castile Soap as is, undiluted for things like dish washing. This is a more concentrated solution, so you can use less.If you are not diluting the Castile Soap, you can thicken it with a saline solution as an alternative to the xanthan gum

Use on babies or very sensitive skin
Castile soap, especially unscented versions, is generally safe for babies and sensitive skin when heavily diluted. Always avoid the eyes, as soap can sting. Using a washcloth can help with control. Monitor skin for dryness and adjust dilution as needed. When it comes to babies and sensitive skin, dilute, dilute, dilute! Always patch test first to check for any reaction.

Using on pets
Always patch test first to check for any reaction and use the plain soap base, skip essential oils entirely and keep dilution gentle.