Recommendations from experienced housewives: is it possible to wash dishes with laundry soap?
Laundry soap is a multifunctional product with a simple composition and low allergenicity.
Due to its good saponifying properties, it can be used not only for laundry or hygiene, but also for washing dishes.
To make cleaning quick and effective, it is necessary to take into account the composition and rules for using soap.
We will tell you further how to properly wash dishes with laundry soap.
Content
Should I use it for washing?
Popular gels and dishwashing liquids contain aggressive surfactants (surfactants). They dissolve well even in cold water and quickly remove dirt, but leave a film on surfaces that is difficult to wash off. Regular use of small doses of surfactants increases the risk of cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, etc.
When in contact with water, soap decomposes into fatty acid anions and alkali metal cations (sodium or potassium). The hydrophobic part of the anion attaches to particles of dirt and fat, and the hydrophilic part combines with water and transfers the formed complexes into a solution, which is washed off with water. Alkaline cations accelerate the dissolution of fats on the surface of dishes.
Composition and properties
The composition and quality of soap are regulated by GOST 30266-2017. According to this standard, it can only contain:
- fatty acid salts,
- water,
- alkali,
- soda and unsaponifiable substances.
To improve technical characteristics, it is allowed to add rosin, kaolin, soap stocks, titanium dioxide, etc.
Soap components and their effect on dishwashing:
| Name | Content | How does it affect |
| Animal, vegetable and synthetic fats (including technical lard) | 64-72% | Provides dissolution of fat and food residues |
| Soda (proportion of free component in the finished product) | Up to 1% | Increases soap effectiveness and promotes foam formation in cold and hard water |
| Alkali (caustic soda) | Up to 0.15-0.20% | Accelerates the dissolution of fats, food residues, soot Soda and lye are saponifying components |
| Sodium chloride, table salt | Less than 0.1% | Added for technical purposes to separate the soap core during the cooking process |
| Kaolin (clay) | Less than 0.5-1% | Reduces the drying effect of alkali on the skin |
| Rosin | Less than 0.5% | Improves soap solubility in cold water, promotes foam formation Slows down the oxidation of fatty acids, increasing the shelf life of the product |
| Soapstocks | Formed during the cleaning process of soap mass, they affect the consistency of the bar | |
| Sodium silicates | Less than 0.1% | Improves cleaning properties in hard water, reduces product stickiness after adding rosin |
| Titanium dioxide, zinc white, hydrogen peroxide | Less than 0.05% | Used for bleaching bars; due to low concentration, they do not affect the properties of soap |
| Natural antioxidant | Less than 0.5% | Necessary for maintaining the properties of soap during the shelf life |
How is the product made?
The production method depends on the product requirements and the starting components. For example, solid bars are produced using sodium alkali, and liquid soap is produced using potassium alkali.
The manufacturing process consists of several stages:
- saponification - adding an alkali solution to a fatty base;
- boiling the mixture to a soap glue state;
- cleaning the product from unsaponifiable impurities - salting out;
- final operations (washing, molding, etc.).
Substances that improve foaming can be added in the second or third stage.
Types of detergent
Depending on the content of saponified fats, several categories are distinguished laundry soap:
- first – 70.5-72%;
- second – 69-70%;
- third – 64-65%.
The category is indicated on the product packaging, and the proportion of fatty acids is indicated on the bar itself. It is recommended to use category 1 soap for washing dishes.
How to choose?
When choosing, you need to pay attention to the following signs:
- Surface – smooth, non-sticky, without cracks, greasy marks, or white deposits.
- Color – from light beige to brown, uniform shade (marble structure is allowed), without foreign solid impurities.
- Smell – specific soapy, without odors of rancid fat, fish, etc.
- Compound – without fragrances, fragrances, surfactants.
Many manufacturers produce liquid soap “Laundry”, which is advertised as an identical analogue of solid bars.However, it contains not only saponified fats, but also aggressive surfactants (for example, laureth sulfate).
For the manufacture of household household chemicals, the best solution is soap, which is dominated by unsaturated fatty acids. Due to its soft, ointment-like consistency, the homemade gel quickly becomes homogeneous.
Should I use baby's?
Baby soap contains up to 80% saponified fatty acids, which gives it good cleaning properties. But in addition to natural ingredients, the composition may contain surfactants, synthetic fragrances, dyes and antibacterial substances.
Thus, as a basis for homemade household products, it is better to use high-quality laundry soap made in accordance with GOST.
Pros and cons of using soap gel
Products based on laundry soap have the following advantages:
are easily washed off from the surface of the dishes without leaving a toxic film;- have a natural composition and do not contain strong allergens;
- have antiseptic properties, suitable for everyday disinfection of household items and surfaces;
- are characterized by economical consumption and low cost;
- Due to the absence of chlorine, they do not harm the environment.
To the disadvantages laundry soap includes the following aspects:
- the product dries out the skin greatly;
- in cold and hard water, soap foams worse, rinses off and dissolves fat (for example, whitish stains may remain on glassware);
- complex stains require preliminary soaking in a soap solution and the use of an abrasive.
The absence of aggressive surfactants, dyes and fragrances reduces the risk of allergic reactions, but does not completely eliminate it, so before using the product you need to test on a small area of skin.
DIY gel recipe
How to prepare the gel for dishes made from laundry soap:
- Grind the soap bar using a fine grater. Pour a small amount of hot water into the shavings and place the container in a water bath.
- Wait until the soap is completely melted. Pour in another 500 ml of hot water and stir until smooth. Remove the mixture from the heat.
- Pour 10-15 ml of ethyl/furacilin alcohol or 25-30 ml of vodka into the mixture. This component serves as a natural preservative. To prevent dry skin, it is recommended to add 2-4 tbsp. l. pharmaceutical glycerin.
- Pour the gel into a wide-necked bottle. When it cools, the mass thickens greatly, so a narrow dispenser can make it difficult to squeeze out the gel.
To soak dishes and treat heavily soiled surfaces (baking trays, cauldrons, etc.), you should use a thicker paste. When preparing it, instead of 500 ml of water, pour in no more than 200-250 ml.
To remove the characteristic smell of laundry soap, you can add the following components:
- essential oils of lemon, mint, tea tree;
- decoctions of pine needles (instead of clean hot water);
- infusions of cinnamon, cloves and other spices;
- special fragrances for handmade soaps, natural food flavors.
It is not recommended to use lemon juice as a fragrance, since the acid neutralizes the effect of alkaline components.
Dishwashing gel made from laundry soap and soda ash, video recipe:
How to use?
When using soap gel, Several rules must be followed:
- Before washing, clean the dishes from food residues and rinse with running hot water.
- To soften hard water, add a small amount of soda to it.
- Wash dishes in a large container filled with hot water (basin, sink with a clogged drain, etc.).
- After washing, rinse each item thoroughly under running water.
For washing, it is recommended to use sponges made of foam rubber, microfiber or cellulose.
Old dirt and carbon deposits can be removed by boiling with soap and soda. To do this, pour water into a frying pan or saucepan with 2-3 tbsp. l. soap gel, boil, add 30-50 g of soda and boil for 30-60 minutes. After cooling, the dirt is washed off with a small amount of laundry soap.
Is it possible to wash children's dishes?
To make high-quality children's dishes, safe silicone and plastic are used, which do not deform and do not release toxins when heated.
Products made from such materials can be soaked and washed in a solution of laundry soap. The use of mustard powder and soda is also allowed.
And here It is better to avoid abrasive additives. Solid particles leave microscratches on the material, in which traces of food and pathogenic microorganisms remain.
Homemade pastes and gels are also suitable for washing toys, household items and surfaces.It is recommended to wash thin plastic items that are not designed for high temperatures in warm water with special products containing surfactants of no more than 5-10%.
Housewives reviews
Users note that laundry soap effectively removes grease and is easily washed off dishes. Making the gel will take time, but the finished product is well suited for children, allergy sufferers and people with sensitive digestion.
It is used not only for washing dishes, but also for cleaning stoves, processing children's toys, washing clothes, disinfecting surfaces, etc.
Conclusion
Laundry soap is a safe alternative to dish detergents. When used in hot, soft water, it dissolves fat well and is removed from the surface along with the resulting solution.
