Can you tell us what the annual cost of washing powder is, given that a family of 4 consumes an average of 26 liters of liquid detergent a year for the equivalent of around 220 washes? More than €120, shall we say!
But this cost can melt like snow in the sun as soon as you start making your own homemade detergent with Marseille soap, wood ash or ivy.
Homemade detergent with ivy leaves is very easy to make. It’s free to use in the washing machine, doesn’t pollute the environment and gives your clothes a fresh, clean scent.
Let’s find out how to make this detergent, which cleans very well and has a delicate, lingering scent. Making your own laundry detergent is a popular DIY project that reduces waste and saves money.
Why use ivy for laundry?
Ivy is a natural plant that contains saponins, surfactants that effectively clean laundry without the use of harsh chemicals. Using ivy for laundry is an excellent alternative to conventional detergents, because it’s ecological, economical and zero waste. What’s more, ivy is easy to find and grow, making it an abundant and accessible resource.
Harvesting and preparing ivy leaves
To harvest ivy leaves, it’s best to choose fresh, healthy leaves. The leaves of climbing ivy (Hedera helix) are the most suitable for washing. It’s important to wear gloves to avoid skin irritation, and to harvest the leaves in such a way as not to damage the plant. Leaves should be washed and dried before being used for laundry.
How do I make detergent with climbing ivy?
Since most detergents pollute both our planet and our health, here’s a recipe that can make laundry greener than green by highlighting the properties of ivy. Thanks to the saponin it contains, ivy acts as a surfactant, giving it detergent and foaming properties. What’s more, this plant is biodegradable and ideal for creating a natural, economical and ecological detergent.
The ingredients
Only two ingredients are needed to make washing machine detergent with fresh ivy picked from the fields.
To prepare this detergent, you need :
- 1 liter tap water ;
- 200 g field-picked ivy. Choose the greenest, most mature leaves without being overgrown. They contain the most saponins.
To improve the effectiveness of your detergent, you can add a tablespoon of baking soda to the washing machine.
Preparation
To make a recipe for ivy leaf detergent, we first collect fresh ivy leaves. Once at home, we run them quickly under fresh water to clean them.
Plunge them into a saucepan, but not before crumpling them between your hands (this will allow the ivy to release the saponins they contain).
Bring to the boil and leave to boil for around 15 minutes with the lid on. Leave to cool and macerate overnight, without removing the lid.
The next day, strain through a heavy-mesh sieve or cotton cloth, pressing the leaves well.
Dosage and storage
Once bottled, your detergent will keep for up to a month.
The quantity of detergent to be used for each wash is the equivalent of one capful of this homemade detergent. This dosage is sufficient to remove stains from laundry.
Note: This detergent can yellow white fabrics, so it’s important to test on a small area before use.
The ivy fermentation method
This is the best method, as you don’t need to use hot water, and therefore save electricity and gas. You can easily collect ivy in your garden for this method.
It clearly takes longer**, as fermentation** takes a few days:
- cut off the stem and wash the leaves to keep them free of dust and dirt;
- chop the ivy; you can chop it finely by hand, or use a chopper or thermomix ;
- place the chopped ivy in a container, a bucket with a lid or a pitcher with water. Make sure there’s plenty of space for the liquid at the top, as it produces a little gas and foam ;
- stir and leave to ferment;
- leave for 1 to 4 days, depending on ambient temperature. In summer and winter, the fermentation time may not be the same;
- when you see a greenish liquid with a slight vinegar smell, it’s ready for use. You’ll see that it foams if you move it around;
- drain the leaves and use the liquid for the washing machine.
You should obtain a brown, greenish, half-transparent liquid with a slight vinegar odor. Be careful not to let it ferment too much, as it may spoil. Store the liquid in a cool place. Use within a few weeks, depending on temperature.
Ivy is a climbing plant native to Eurasia. It is a very vigorous plant that grows in cool, damp areas. It has long been used in traditional medicine.
However, ivy berries are highly toxic, as are the leaves if ingested.
So avoid touching the berries when harvesting, and handle the leaves with care, protecting your hands with latex gloves.
Safety and precautions
It’s important to take certain precautions when preparing and using ivy lye. Avoid contact with eyes and skin, as saponins can cause irritation. It is also advisable to wear gloves when handling ivy leaves. It’s also important to note that ivy detergent is not suitable for all types of textiles, so it’s important to test before using it on precious garments.
