When it’s time to roll up our sleeves, we never hold back, especially when it comes to cleaning!
And the solution comes directly from our grandmothers , the classic soft laundry soap (usually found under the Alga or Alba brand ). Grandma’s classic yellow soap ! It is not only an ecological remedy but also very economical and we can clean the whole house with it!
Let’s see it together in detail.
Characteristics of Soft Soap
Potassium soft soap looks like a yellow stick , with a semi-soft consistency.
It actually has very few ingredients, first of all coconut oil , which is not only excellent for its cosmetic properties.
It has a strong cleaning and degreasing power , thanks to the presence of potassium salts . Compared to Marseille soap , which is also used for personal hygiene, yellow soap is generally indicated for cleaning floors and surfaces (although some producers, such as those of Alga Soap , have also created products for personal hygiene ).
Furthermore, especially when it is of good quality, it has a totally ecological approach and is biodegradable . The presence of coconut oil allows us to dissolve it easily.
This detail is very important, since we can also create a liquid version without worrying that it might solidify, as happens with the Marseille one.
Solid piece in the washing machine
You will notice on the directions of these soaps that they can be used for both hand and machine washing . Thanks to its degreasing power , we can also use it to pre-treat more stubborn stains . For convenience, it is divided into cubes or balls are formed , as you will notice in this Video :
If washing the laundry in the washing machine , we can cut one or two pieces of the dough and insert them directly into the washing machine drum . Much depends on the load and hardness of the water, so adjust according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Liquid detergent
There are also numerous recipes for making a DIY liquid detergent with “grandma’s yellow soap “.
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Requirements and procedure
The process is very simple and requires only soap and water to make. Pour 400 ml of water into a saucepan . In the meantime, cut 2 500 gram blocks of soft soap into small pieces and place them in the pan.
Then turn on the heat and bring everything to a light boil . Then turn off and cover the pan . Since soft soap is totally biodegradable, it will dissolve completely in just a few minutes.
If it hasn’t melted yet, turn it on for a few more minutes and turn it off again. When ready, transfer the liquid detergent into a recycled bottle.
and if you want, you can add a few drops of essential oil of your choice , such as lavender or citrus.
How to use
To use algae soap liquid detergent in the washing machine , fill a measuring cup by adding a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and one of washing soda , to promote the whitening and stain-removing action of the detergent .
Alternatively, you can insert everything directly into the washing machine tray. Also in this case, adjust according to the load
Multipurpose detergent
Among the uses of Alga Soap you can create a multipurpose detergent useful for all surfaces.
On the market it is also possible to find soft soap in a liquid version . In this case we can dilute it with plenty of water and that’s it!
Starting from the dough, dissolve it in half a liter of water with the same procedure as washing machine detergent.
Once everything has dissolved, pour it into a 1 liter spray bottle . You will notice that it will not be completely full. In this case we add more water. Finally we insert 18 drops of tea tree oil for an antibacterial action .
The composition and delicacy of this detergent allow us to clean many surfaces without risking ruining them, such as bathroom ceramics , floors, wooden doors and to remove stains from shutters !
In the garden
But it doesn’t end here! Like Marseille soap , potassium soft soap can also be a very valid insecticide against various plant parasites , such as aphids , cochineal or spider mites!
The process is very simple!
Simply dissolve 12/15 grams of soap for each liter of water . The solution is ready to be sprayed on the plants! To help you prepare, you can take a look at this video:
Obviously, you should first ask your trusted nurseryman before using the solution on your plants and you should avoid this method if they are flowering.
Furthermore, it would be better to use it when the sun is not too strong, early in the morning or in the evening at sunset .
Being ecological and non-toxic, this method does not harm the “good insects” present in nature, such as bees.
Isn’t this a fantastic remedy?
What can you clean with seaweed soap?
With seaweed soap you can: wash laundry in the washing machine and by hand, remove stains from white sneakers, polish steel and other parts of the house.
What is the difference between Alga and Alba soap?
Alga soap and Alba soap are both soft laundry soaps and therefore there should be no difference, except in the brand name.
How is seaweed soap stored?
Being very soft, we can decide to store the seaweed soap by dividing it into cubes or balls, and then place everything in an airtight container. To prevent them from sticking together, they pour in a little talcum powder.
What are the ingredients of seaweed soap?
Typically, in soft laundry soap (known to many as seaweed soap) the ingredients are: coconut oil, glycerin and water.