WHAT ARE SOAP FLAKES?
Soap flakes are just grated bars of soap. They are basically shredded soap to make it easier to dissolve in water.
I was first introduced to the idea of soap flakes when I started my non-toxic journey. I have been using and then making my homemade laundry soap for the past five years. After a while, I realised that I was not completely satisfied by the outcome, especially when there were stubborn stains, like wine or food (we use lots of napkins, kitchen towels and tablecloths at home). Just think that commercial detergent formulations are complex, reflecting the diverse demands of the application and the highly competitive consumer market.
Anyway making your DIY laundry detergent is very easy, inexpensive and effective. You can save money and rid your home of toxic chemical cleaners. This recipe is to get the best result and get rid of all the stubborn stains! This is an easy and "express" recipe: ready to make and ready to use! It is suitable for washing in temperatures of 40°- 90°C for all kinds of fabrics, as the soap flakes melt better at these temperatures.
If you want to use soap flakes at 30°C or cold water have a look at this recipe "how to make an excellent laundry liquid detergent".
I usually put the soap flakes directly into the washing-machine drum, and then add the other ingredients in the detergent compartments. The quantity you need for the recipe is just a guide and differs according to whether you are washing light or heavy loads. I prefer working in grams, but you can use teaspoon/tablespoon as well.
INGREDIENTS
- 10g - 2 tbsp Soap Flakes directly into the drum, before the laundry
- 15g - 2 tbsp Sodium Carbonate - DON NOT USE FOR FABRICS AS WOOL AND SILK - into the main wash detergent compartment of the drawer
- 15g - 2 tbsp Sodium Percarbonate - ONLY FOR WHITES OVER 50ºC, NO SILK AND WOOL - into the second or bleach detergent compartment of the drawer
- 12g - 2 tbsp of Washing-up liquid into the main wash detergent compartment of the drawer with sodium carbonate
- 50ml Sodium Citrate Liquid - recipe HERE - into the drum, on the top of the laundry, in a dosing ball
HOW TO USE
1. If the laundry is very dirty, I suggest increasing the amount of sodium carbonate.
2. If there are many difficult stains, I always recommend pre-treating them before doing your wash. I know it can be time-consuming, but it will give the best results and allow you to get rid of the stains completely.
3. If you want to whiten your yellowing whites even further, add more sodium percarbonate.
4. If the water is particularly hard, you need to increase the amount of the sodium citrate solution.
5. If there is too much soap in the washing-machine during the cleaning cycle, just reduce the amount of washing-up liquid.
TIP
I usually mix the ingredients, in the quantity I need, as and when I have to do my laundry.
If you prefer to have a powder ready to use you can instead stir together soap flakes and sodium carbonate until well combined, decant into a container and store. Just remember to add the washing-up liquid and sodium citrate solution before washing, and the sodium percarbonate only if you are washing whites.
ALWAYS REMEMBER!
Do not use SODIUM CARBONATE on WOOL or SILK as it is too alkaline and aggressive for these kinds of fabrics.
Use SODIUM PERCARBONATE just for WHITES and over 50ºC temperature.
Do not use SODIUM PERCARBONATE on LINEN, WOOL, SILK or BLOOD STAINS.
Credits to MAMMACHIMICA
HAPPY DIY
LOVE _ JO
2 comments
Hi Breena,
Many thanks for your comment on my blog.
I don’t suggest adding sodium bicarbonate to this recipe because it is completely ineffective. If you want to know how to use it, please look at this article https://thegreenboutique.co.uk/blogs/news/about-the-ingredients or at the HOW TO USE section in the product description.
I hope this helps.
HAPPY DIY 💚
Love_Jo
Is there a reason why you don’t add sodium bicarbonate as well?