Castile soap is an olive oil-based soap that originates from Castile, Spain. Recently, many similar soaps containing other vegetable oils or a blend of vegetable oils have become available. These soaps appeal to their purity, non-toxicity, and lack of dyes, fragrances, bleaches, chemicals, etc.
Soap flakes are tiny flakes of Castile soap available for convenient usage. These flakes have many added benefits in laundry, like the conditioning effect it gives clothes that mimic fabric softener effects.
There are many ways people can use soap flakes to do laundry.
Make Liquid Laundry Detergent with Soap Flakes
Many people prefer liquid laundry detergent because it dissolves effortlessly in the wash and does not leave a residue when used correctly. You can scale this recipe to suit your needs.
Recipe:
- 1 cup of soap flakes or ½ pound of bar castile soap
- 1 cup of washing soda
- ½ cup of borax
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 3 cups of water
Procedure:
- Grate the soap into tiny flakes if you’re using bar soap.
- Put a pot on heat and boil the water.
- Put the soap flakes in a heat-resistant bowl and pour in the boiling water.
- Stir the soap flakes in the water till it starts to melt.
- Pour in the washing soda, baking soda, and borax.
- Stir well till they dissolve and combine.
- Cover the bowl and allow the mixture to cool and thicken.
- When it is cool, pour the detergent into a glass or plastic container.
Make Powdered Detergent with Soap Flakes
Making powdered detergent with soap flakes reduces the amount of residue left during the wash. You can scale this recipe to suit your needs.
Recipe:
- 1 cup of soap flakes or ½ pound of bar castile soap
- 1 cup of washing soda
- ½ cup of borax
- 1 cup of baking soda
Procedure:
- Grate the soap into tiny soap flakes if you’re using bar soap.
- Pulse the soap flakes in a food processor till it forms a coarse powder or the same texture as the other ingredients.
- Transfer the soap to a dry container with an air-tight lid.
- Pour the rest of the ingredients into the container
- Stir well till they combine.
- Leave the detergent in the container or transfer it to another suitable container.
- Cover the container to prevent contamination.
Make Detergent Pods with Soap Flakes
Detergent pods typically contain various ingredients like cleansers and fabric softeners to simplify the wash process and aid in accurate measurements. You can use soap flakes to make yours.
Recipe:
- ½ cup of soap flakes or ¼ pound of Castile bar soap
- 1 ½ cup of washing soda
- 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt
- 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide
- 20 drops of essential oil
Procedure:
- Grate the soap into tiny flakes if you’re using bar soap.
- Mix the washing soda, soap flakes, and Epsom salt in a dry container.
- Pour the essential oil and hydrogen peroxide and stir well.
- Line a cookie sheet or tray with wax paper.
- Take a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into your desired shape with your hands.
- Place the pod on the tray.
- Repeat the process until it finishes.
- Leave the pods to dry.
Make Gentle Soaps for Delicate Fabrics
Delicate fabrics like silk, linen, wool, etc., require a mild laundry detergent that can protect and preserve them. Some commercial mild laundry detergents exist for this purpose, but you can make yours with soap flakes.
Recipe:
- 2 cups of soap flakes or 1 pound of bar castile soap.
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 cup of water
- 10 drops of essential oil
Procedure:
- Grate the soap into tiny soap flakes if you’re using bar soap.
- Put a pot on heat and boil the water.
- Put the soap flakes in a heat-resistant bowl and pour in the boiling water.
- Stir the soap flakes in the water till it starts to melt.
- Mix in the baking soda.
- Cover the bowl, allow the mixture to cool, and add the essential oil.
- Stir again and transfer the detergent to a clean container with a lid.
Make Stain Remover with Soap Flakes
Treating stains with soap flakes is possible and necessary for eco laundry enthusiasts. You can use the liquid laundry detergent in this list, but it will be better to have a separate stain remover with more ingredients that may not be suitable for general laundry.
Recipe:
- 2 cups of soap flakes or 1 pound of bar castile soap.
- ½ cup of baking soda
- ½ cup of borax
- 1 cup of water
Procedure:
- Grate the soap into tiny soap flakes if you’re using bar soap.
- Put a pot on heat and boil the water.
- Mix the borax and baking soda in a dry bowl.
- Put the soap flakes in a heat-resistant bowl and pour in the boiling water.
- Stir the soap flakes in the water till it starts to melt.
- Pour in the borax and baking soda and stir well.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean container with a lid.
Make Cleaner Spray with Soap Flakes
Cleaner spray is a mild cleanser for refreshing clothes. The use frequency of the cleaning spray can be concerning if you’re worried about toxic fumes. Making your own with soap flakes eliminates that worry.
Recipe:
- 1 cup of soap flakes or ½ pound of bar castile soap.
- 4 ½ cups of water
Procedure:
- Grate the soap into tiny soap flakes if you’re using bar soap.
- Put a pot on heat and boil two cups of water.
- Put the soap flakes in a heat-resistant bowl and pour in the boiling water.
- Stir the soap flakes in the water till it starts to melt.
- After it cools, pour the remaining water into the mixture and stir well till it combines.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean spray bottle.
Make Gel Laundry Soap with Soap Flakes
Some people prefer the consistency of gel laundry soaps. Here is how you can make yours with soap flakes.
Recipe:
- ½ cup of soap flakes or ¼ cup of bar castile soap
- 2 cups of water
- 3 tablespoons of glycerin
- Essential oil (optional)
Procedure:
- Grate the soap into tiny flakes if you’re using bar soap.
- Put a pot on heat and boil the water.
- Put the soap flakes in a heat-resistant bowl and pour in the boiling water.
- Stir the soap flakes in the water till it starts to melt.
- Continue stirring, then add the glycerin and essential oil.
- The mixture should form a gel consistency.
- Leave the mixture to cool.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean bowl with a lid.
Make Cleansing Scrub with Soap Flakes
A cleansing scrub is a powdered abrasive cleaning agent mainly used as a stain remover.
Recipe:
- 2 cups of soap flakes or 1 pound of bar castile soap.
- ½ cup of baking soda
- ½ cup of borax
Procedure:
- Grate the soap into tiny soap flakes if you’re using bar soap.
- Pulse the soap flakes in a food processor till it forms a coarse powder or the same texture as the other ingredients.
- Transfer the soap to a dry container with an air-tight lid.
- Pour the rest of the ingredients into the container
- Stir well till they combine.
Make Bleach with Soap Flakes
You make bleach with easily-gotten items and soap flakes.
Recipe:
- ½ cup of soap flakes
- 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide
- 10 drops of lemon essential oil
Procedure:
- Grate the soap into tiny flakes if you’re using bar soap.
- Put a pot on heat and boil two cups of water.
- Put the soap flakes in a heat-resistant bowl and pour in the boiling water.
- Stir the soap flakes in the water till it starts to melt.
- Pour in the rest of the ingredients and stir well.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean bottle with a cover.
Soften Fabrics with Soap Flakes
Soap flakes have fabric conditioning properties; using them to wash clothes will guarantee your clothes’ softness. You can add soap flakes during your wash or use any of the soap flakes’ detergents in this list.