As we saw in a previous article warning you about household products, there are a multitude of this type of product on the market.
With the aim of reducing our consumption, but also of consuming better, we present to you one of the essentials to have at home for both housekeeping and body care!
Yes, a soap that combines both is possible!
Marseille soap has been used in France since ancient times, and is still widely used in Europe today, for both household cleaning and ecological body care. Since it's a soap composed essentially of vegetable oil and soda, it seems to have contributed to the reduction in infant mortality in the 19th century.
Regularly used on its own, it's also a formidable tool for cleaning.
In the bathroom/laundry room
As toothpaste (you read that right!)
Are you scared? We've tested it for you! It wasn't the greatest taste experience we've ever had, but our teeth were clean! Depending on the amount of essential oil used, the taste of the toothpaste will be nothing like that of the soap!
Preparations: finely chop or grate your Marseille soap and mix it in a small container with a little water. While stirring occasionally, let the soap dissolve. Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil and you're ready to go!
Made from pure soap, you'll need to put very, very little on your toothbrush, as the result is very foamy. Beware: essential oils and children don't always go well together, so be sure to ask before giving!
As a shampoo
Boil 100 ml of water. At the same time, melt a tablespoon of very finely grated or powdered Marseille soap in a bain-marie.
Add a teaspoon of olive or coconut oil and a spoonful of honey.
Stir to obtain a homogeneous paste. Gradually stir in the boiling water. Keeps for 2 to 3 weeks.
As a shaving cream
Marseille soap foams easily and lathers well, and can be used as is as a shaving cream.
As an eco-friendly laundry soap
In just 15 minutes, you can easily make your own natural laundry soap for the next 3 months. It's good for you, good for the environment and good for your wallet!
For all laundry soap recipes, the soap should be as dry as possible. Grate it ahead of time and leave it in a wooden box or glass jar without a lid for future use.
Grate a cup of pure Marseille soap and melt in 4 liters of hot water. Leave to cool slightly. To combat unpleasant odors, soften fabrics and act as a descaler, you can add 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup white vinegar (optional).
Simply stir until the liquid turns milky. Pour into a container of at least 4 liters. Shake before each use.
For a stubborn stain? Rub Marseilles soap bar or Marseilles soap with baking soda on the stain before putting the garment in the washer, or wait 30 minutes, rinse and repeat as necessary.
For delicate garments? Simply grate 50g of Marseille soap and melt in 1.5 liters of hot water. Mix until milky and foamy. The soap will work by itself if you leave your clothes to soak overnight.
For hand washing: wet your garment and rub it over a block of Marseille soap. Make sure the garment is well covered with suds and leave for 10 minutes, then rub a little and rinse with water.
*** Important: to clean your washing machine and associated plumbing, wash twice a year in an empty machine, using hot water and 1 cup of white vinegar.
In the kitchen and around the house!
For washing up
To wash your dishes by hand, rub your brush, scrubber or wet sponge directly onto a block of Marseille soap.
Very, very dirty, sticky dishes? Just add baking soda to your Marseille soap and you're good to go!
Clean countertops, bathtubs, sinks, floors, leather, outdoor furniture, walls...
For all surfaces that can be rinsed with water, apply Marseille soap to a damp cloth and rub, or rub the soap directly onto the surfaces to be cleaned. Rinse surfaces thoroughly.
For walls and floors, grate a tablespoon of soap into a bowl of warm water. Be careful not to use more soap than this amount.
For surfaces that are more difficult to rinse thoroughly (ex. windows and furniture), we advise against using Marseille soap. However, our next article will deal with vinegar: another essential for minimalist, eco-friendly household maintenance.
No more industrial detergents or chemicals, and believe it or not, using a simple household soap simplifies daily life, lightens expenses and is environmentally friendly!
Seriously, it's a $10 investment that's good for your wallet and so much better for the environment!
Ecologically yours,
