savon de Marseille detergent

This page is a translated version of the page Lessive au savon de Marseille and the translation is 100% complete.

Tutorial de avatarMobilab Songo | Categories : Hygiene

Extremely simple recipe to make your own biodegradable laundry detergent using savon de Marseille (recipe for approx. 1L of detergent).

License : Attribution (CC BY)

Introduction

For anything to do with making natural cosmetics or homemade cleaning products, I recommend that you use dedicated equipment that will be disinfected with alcohol before each use (to ensure optimal conservation of your creations).
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Materials

Ingredients

  • 1.25L of freshwater
  • 40 grams of the (real) soap "savon de Marseille "
  • 10-15 drops of essential oil (I like to use lavender for its scent, antiseptic and relaxing properties).

Tools

  • A cooking pot or a large saucepan
  • Measuring cup
  • A scale
  • A spatula
  • A grater (preferably non-food grade)
  • A container for the laundry detergent

Step 1 - Grate the soap

Thinly grate 40 grams of soap into shavings.




Step 2 - Bring water to the boil

Put 50cl of water in the saucepan and bring to the boil.




Step 3 - Mix the soap with water

Gradually add the grated soap to the hot water and stir on a low heat.




Step 4 - Let it cool down

Once the soap has dissolved in the water, remove from the burner and wait for it to cool to near room temperature.




Step 5 - Fill the container

Pour the mixture into the container provided.




Step 6 - Add the remaining water

Add the remaining 75cl of cold water.




Step 7 - Add the essential oil

Finally, add some drops of the essential oil of your choice and mix. Ready to use!




Notes and references

Directions for use

1) Mix well.

2) Pour the equivalent of a coffee cup into your drum.

3) Add a "little extra" if necessary (see below).

4) And start your machine's usual program.

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Little extras you need to know

  • White vinegar as a natural fabric softener

You can add half a cup of white vinegar per machine for delicate laundry (e.g. wool).

  • Baking soda and its miracles

Baking soda is an anti-limescale, softening, fungicide and deodorizing agent. You can insert one or two tablespoons of baking soda directly into the washing machine drum. However, be careful: baking soda is biodegradable as long as it doesn't reach a temperature of 60°C, otherwise it turns into sodium carbonate (also known as soda crystals), which has the disadvantage of not being biodegradable.

  • Alternate detergents

Note: if savon de Marseille is ideal for your laundry, it has the disadvantage of clogging your pipes over time because of the glycerine. I therefore recommend alternating your washes with an Ash detergent to preserve the durability of your machine.

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>> Take it a step further: build your own Pedal washing machine!

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