Ivy liquid detergent

Wenmelescarabe

https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Lessive_au_lierre/en

Dernière modification le 02/07/2024

Difficulté

Very easy Très facile

Durée

30 minute(s) minute(s)

Coût

0,00 EUR (€)

Description

This tutorial aims to help you produce your own liquid detergent at home easy to make (20 minutes for the preparation and 10 to 24 hours of rest before storage). It is home-made, 0 waste, biodegradable (100% of natural product) and uses resources easily accessible in rural areas as in urban areas. The detergent can be kept for 3 weeks in a cool space sheltered from the light

Sommaire

zéro waste, lessive, zéro déchet

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Introduction

Ivy liquid detergent is based on the extraction of saponin - foaming agent - retained in leaves (and not the stem) of climbing ivy (and not creeping ivy to avoid leaves contaminated with animal urine). By boiling and infusing the leaves in water, we obtain a concentrated liquid which can substitute mainstream detergents.

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Caution : avoid the using of utensils dedicated for cooking, the whole plant is toxic if eaten (ingestion of two or three berries already gives signs of poisoning: irritated throat, headache, tachycardia, cramps, vomiting/diarrhea.

This detergent can be described as unpleasant because of its quite strong plant smell (using vinegar as a softener reduces the smell) and its slightly yellowing effect on white clothes.

Saponin is also used in shampoo recipes and for DIY washing-up liquid. We meet saponin in other plants as soapwort and chestnut of horse chestnut (the fruit, not the bug).

Matériaux

• 100g of ivy leaves freshly picked (around 50 leaves)
• 1L of water

Outils

• (scissors or pruning shears)
• (gloves, especially for people with sensitive skin as ivy can be stinging)
• saucepan or stew-pot (if possible dedicated to non-food uses to avoid any poisoning linked to poor cleaning of the utensils)
• strainer or clean cloth to filter the infusion
• a container for storing the washing powder produced (be sure to label the contents if you use a food container, and not to reuse it to store foodstuffs).

Étape 1 - Ivy picking

Collect around 50 leaves for 1L of water

• Where to find ivy

Ivy is a shade plant that generally grows on tree trunks but also on the north faces of buildings and low walls.

• Recognise ivy

Ivy leaves are alternate, with a fairly sturdy limb, dark green or slightly whitish around the edges. Young leaves are star-shaped, while adult leaves have two different shapes depending on their function:

- stem leaves are palmatinervate with 5 more or less deep lobes (sometimes 3)

- those of floriferous stems (with access to light) are oval, with a sharp apex

Étape 2 - Leaves cleaning

Simply clear leaves with water to eliminate dust and and any unwanted things.

It is not necessary to remove the stems, up to your preference.

After washing, you can rub or chop the leaves so that they release their saponin more easily.

Étape 3 - Leaves boiling

Bring to the boil and leave to boil for around 15 minutes, covered. Then remove from the heat.

Étape 4 - Maceration/infusion of the mixture

Leave to cool gently and macerate overnight, without removing the lid.

Étape 5 - Mixture filtration

The next day, strain the mixture (the ivy leaves should have turned a dark green) using a skimmer, a fine sieve or a cloth. You can compost the ivy leaves if you have a compost bin or composter.

Étape 6 - Detergent storage

La recette se conserve environ 3 semaines maximum en bouteille, à l’abri de la lumière et de la chaleur (voire au frigo l’été). Dans un endroit chaud cette lessive aura vite tendance à fermenter : facilement identifiable a changement d'odeur et l'apparition de bulles dans la bouteille.

Pour conserver votre lessive au lierre plus longtemps, vous pouvez la verser dans des moules à gâteaux en silicone et la placer au congélateur. Deux moules équivalent à deux bouchons.

Étape 7 - Utilisation en machine

Les quantités sont les mêmes que celles de votre lessive commerciale classique. Si vous souhaitez un peu plus d'efficacité au lavage sans utiliser plus de lessive vous pouvez ajouter un peu de bicarbonate de soude (1 poignée par litre) dans la préparation.

Notes et références

1. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lierre_grimpant#Description
2. La recette ainsi que 2 autres alternatives https://magazine.laruchequiditoui.fr/lessive-maison-au-lierre-et-bien-plus-encore/
3. Une autre recette avec des explications utiles pour la culture générale : https://planetezerodechet.fr/lessive-au-lierre-recette-zero-dechet-naturelle/
4. Lien vers une recette de shampoing DIY https://www.greenweez.com/magazine/les-alternatives-au-shampoing-12055/

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