How to Make Liquid Laundry Detergent from a Bar of Soap

Ingredients:

1. 1 bar of Marseille soap
2. 120 ml of white vinegar
3. 1 tablespoon of baking soda
4. 3 liters of water
5. Essential oil (optional, for fragrance)

Instructions:

1. Grate the Soap:
   • Using a cheese grater, grate the entire bar of Marseille soap into fine shavings. This will help the soap dissolve more easily.
2. Heat the Water:
   • In a large pot, heat 3 liters of water until it’s just about to boil. You don’t need a rolling boil; just hot enough to dissolve the soap.
3. Dissolve the Soap:
   • Slowly add the grated soap into the hot water, stirring continuously until all the soap shavings have completely dissolved. This might take a few minutes.
4. Add Baking Soda:
   • Once the soap is fully dissolved, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to the mixture. Stir well until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Baking soda helps to soften the water and boost the cleaning power of the detergent.
5. Incorporate White Vinegar:
   • Add 120 ml of white vinegar to the mixture. Vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener and helps to break down any soap residue that may be left on clothes.
6. Optional: Add Essential Oil:
   • If you want your detergent to have a pleasant fragrance, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Lavender, tea tree, or lemon essential oil are good choices.
7. Cool and Store:
   • Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. It will thicken as it cools. Once cooled, give it a good stir to ensure it’s well-mixed.
   • Transfer the liquid detergent into clean, empty containers with lids. Reused laundry detergent bottles work well for this purpose.

Usage:

• Use about 1/2 to 1 cup of the homemade liquid detergent per load of laundry, depending on the size of the load and the dirtiness of the clothes. Shake well before each use.

This homemade liquid detergent is a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to store-bought detergents. It cleans effectively and is gentle on fabrics.