Free? Yes. Yes. 100% free.
I know what I'm about to write might provoke a reaction. I haven't discovered anything. Quite the opposite. Like many things we think are innovative, it's actually a very old technique. An old strategy or grandmother's recipe.
So today I'm talking about something I've tested and approved. It's something I use in my washing machine, it washes well, and it smells clean.
This technique, which has been used for a long time, allows us to have a 100% ecological and economical clothing soap: soap made from vegetable ash.
This isn't magic, it's chemistry. Plant ash contains potassium. It's a cleaning chemical compound, just like soda.
Although there are several different potash contents among plants, it seems that this does not affect the cleaning power. So, any plant ash will do the job.
An easy technique
What you need to get started:
- A few cups of sifted ash
- 2 times more water than ash
- A large cauldron or boiler
- 1 or 2 dish towels
- A colander
- Another clean container
- A clean reused bottle
So let's begin!
In the best of all possible worlds, we set up in a well-ventilated place, ideally outside.
- We make sure that our ash is well sifted and that there are no lumps left in it (you will appreciate this when it comes time to filter!).
- Depending on the size of our container and the quantity of ash we have, we put 2 cups of ash per liter of water.
- Mix and let it macerate for 48 hours, taking care to stir every 6 to 8 hours.
- Place your two dishcloths in a colander and filter the mixture into the second container. Let the liquid settle, and if there is any ash left, filter it again. The resulting liquid will be more or less soapy to the touch depending on the type of ash used.
- Pour the liquid into a clean bottle and use about 100 ml per load.
That's it!
Some people suggest adding essential oils to the liquid. We do not recommend this. Essential oils are highly concentrated (therefore, they require a lot of plants, and therefore arable land) and will have little or no effect.
The remaining ash can be composted or, even better, directly into your garden. Potash is also a fertilizer!
What do you think of this recipe? Would you give it a try? It's worth it.
We can understand that not everyone wants to embark on this little adventure!
If so, there are other great eco-friendly products on the market to do your laundry.
There are bulk products and two of our favorites: eco- wash sheets and the stain remover bar . You will most likely need the latter even if you use ash-based detergent.
Ecologically yours,
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