This product that everyone knows by name has many qualities, is economical and very easy to use.
Black soap is made from olive oil (for the best quality) or linseed oil. Its texture is liquid or pasty, it is dark in color (green-brown) and has a fairly strong odor. It does not foam but has a strong cleaning and degreasing power. It is natural, 100% biodegradable (the "real" black soap at least) and is in no way harmful to humans or pets.
So why not use it?
The list of articles with simple (or more complicated) tips and recipes for getting the most out of it is endless, but they can be easily summarized. Here you can find a reliable range of uses for black soap and the most useful practical tips, trying to be brief.
Give it a try, you will quickly be convinced !
Black soap combines very well with essential oils if you want to scent or improve the sanitizing effect of cleaning, as well as with baking soda. The strong degreasing powers of black soap and bicarbonate are reinforced for an even better action on grease residues. And hot water is always your ally to improve the efficiency of the mixture.
The basic mixture for small interventions is simple: in 1 liter of water, dilute 1 tablespoon of black soap (and essential oils to perfume, and a teaspoon of bicarbonate to leave no chance for the fat). In a spray bottle, it is always ready !
For in house use :
Simply washing the dishes !
No need for an aggressive hand product. Black soap does a great job, even if it takes a little more than industrial chemical detergent. Its degreasing power works miracles for frying pans, pots and fryers, as well as for stainless steel pots.
For more efficiency, pour a drizzle of black soap on your sponge or dish brush. Rinse.
Cleaning of kitchen work surfaces : worktops, hobs, hoods, sinks, ovens. It removes grease stains and leaves no trace (after rinsing).
Use pure on a damp sponge, and rinse with warm water.
For particularly dirty ovens (note that it is not necessary to wait until the oven is very dirty 😉) and ideally still warm, leave the pure black soap to act on the dirty parts overnight. Clean and rinse with warm water.
Floor cleaning : tiles, terracotta, marble and travertine, ceramics, but also wooden and laminate floors or plastic surfaces (linoleum, etc.). It nourishes porous surfaces without altering the color and leaves the floors clean with no chemical residue, ideal for young children and pets.
2 tablespoons of black soap diluted in 5 liters of hot water is enough. Wash the surface. It is not necessary to rinse (as soon as the washing water is no longer dirty).
Window cleaning : with a sponge and a squeegee, you have everything you need.
Strongly dilute: 1 to 2 teaspoons in 2 to 3 liters of hot water. Scrape after cleaning with a sponge, without rinsing. Use a microfiber or cotton cloth to finish if necessary.
Do the laundry : black soap is a sustainable and credible alternative to all laundry products.
3 to 4 tablespoons (depending on the load of laundry) in the washing compartment of your washing machine at the usual temperature is enough.
For grease stains, you can apply black soap and leave to act for a quarter of an hour before putting in the machine. However, do not allow it to act too long on light textiles, black soap can leave a halo.
Leather care : armchairs, sofas, car seats, but also clothing, saddlery, shoes !
The leather becomes shiny and supple again, soft to the touch.
Rub gently with black soap on a cloth and rinse with warm water, nothing more.
Silverware and brass (for those who still have some) : nothing simpler, the work is done (almost) all by itself.
Dip the items you want to shine completely in a tub of hot water and 4-5 tablespoons of black soap. Drain after 10 minutes and dry with a cloth.
The glass of the fire cassette : this is a regular chore.
The easiest way is to crumple up a page of newspaper and scrub the glass with a little black soap. But you can also just use that same moistened paper and fire ashes! The effect is stunning. Rinse off with lukewarm water.
Outdoors too, black soap is a great asset.
Barbecue : as with the oven or baking pan, the black soap removes residue from the barbecue grills.
With pure black soap on a brush, scrub the grates and other parts of the barbecue. Leave on for a few minutes if necessary.
What about the car (and other vehicles too) ? Black soap degreases and cleans, but is soft and does not scratch. It is suitable for both the interior of the car and the bodywork.
Pure on a damp sponge, rub the surfaces.
For the bodywork, dilute 4-5 tablespoons in 10 liters of hot water.
Brushes and other painting tools (for acrylic and latex paints) : black soap allows deep cleaning and especially prevents hardening of the bristles. Do not let your brushes or rollers dry before cleaning them !
Dilute the black soap in lukewarm water and let the brushes soak.
Traces of aphids on plants : diluted, black soap is not harmful to plants. It eliminates traces of aphids (fungus caused by aphids) and prevents the appearance of these parasites.
Dilute 5 tablespoons of black soap in 1 liter of cold water and spray.
Washing of pets and other domestic animals : black soap (diluted and not ingested) is not toxic to domestic animals. It can easily be used as a shampoo for dogs and cats, and for horsehair if necessary.
Use with your hands on an already wet coat. Rinse thoroughly.
You can also use black soap to clean your animals' accessories and textiles, of course.