Marseille soap: characteristics, benefits and uses for the home and the person
Marseille soap is one of those products that cannot be missing at home because it is a passe partout to solve various problems at home: quickly degrease stains on dirty clothes, polish floors or moisturize hair. Just to name a few! Today we tell you about its extraordinary properties and possible uses when it comes to beauty or hygiene; first, however, discover the 10 best tips to get a perfect laundry.
The origins of Marseille soap
Did you know that the soap exported by our French cousins comes from Aleppo soap? Its processing has been handed down over the centuries from Syria to the Mediterranean and only with the Crusades did it spread until it reached Marseille.
Indicatively we are talking about the 12th century, when soldiers began to import Syrian soap, made with olive oil and laurel oil, and when the Marseille artisans realized the extraordinary properties of this very simple product. They began to replicate Aleppo soap, but using the materials they found locally in traditional processing, such as olive oil and salicornia ash (a plant).
Despite the enormous success of the detergent, other centuries had to pass before the opening of the first soap maker was made official in Marseille: it was 1593 and Crescas Davin was the first to open a factory that produced the well-established Marseille soap.
From that moment on, the soap acquired fame throughout France and in the neighboring states, so much so that the city became famous for the production of its precious solid detergents.
At the time it was a green solid soap that was sold in 5 kg bars or 20 kg loaves. Under the reign of Louis XIV the manufacture of soap was regulated, which decreed the naturalness of the product.
Another important step in the processing of France's most famous solid detergent was the importation of other oils and materials: palm, coconut and sesame oil appeared as the first time in the "recipes" for making Marseille soap in 1800-1900 and remained as fixed ingredients in some Marseille soaps. This is why sometimes you buy a soap with a slightly different color from green and with different fragrances.
The characteristics of the soap of wonders: economical, eco-sustainable and 100% natural
Marisglia's d "hoc soap is a fairly hard solid detergent, normally sold in square shapes and green or yellow in color. Its scent is unmistakable: it tastes clean!
It is a soap without chemicals or additives, so its strong point is its total naturalness, which makes it ideal for washing baby clothes. The original recipe only uses ingredients readily available in French Provence, the area of the city of Marseille, and therefore only extra virgin olive oil, water from the Mediterranean Sea and lye, which is obtained from the ashes of glasswort. The correct percentage of oil must be 72% and always according to traditional methods, processing must be done by hand.
Today it is difficult to find a detergent made in this way because there are many types on the market, due to the percentage of oils used and the diversity of ingredients: some are based on olive oil as tradition requires, while others are made with oil. coconut or palm. The real Marseille soap is 100% natural and does not have words such as "Marseille soap scented": these are imitations and contain ingredients only inspired by the original detergent.
Despite its ancient history, Marseille soap is still considered today as one of the most versatile products for face and body hygiene, for washing clothes, for cleaning dishes and generally applicable in the cleaning of all domestic surfaces.
The dermatological benefits of Marseille soap
For the well-being of our skin, Marseille soap is a very valuable ally and it is thanks to the high percentage of extra virgin olive oil contained within it.
It is a fairly neutral soap and therefore well tolerated by different skin types, but it is always better to do some small tests before using it on a daily basis.
Its main quality is certainly the emollient and degreasing properties, therefore when it comes to skin care, it is ideal for combating oily skin. Thanks to its natural ingredients it is able to rebalance the Ph of the skin, calming irritation which can appear on the face as much as on the body.
Do you have impure skin and are you looking for a green solution for your beauty routine? Try Marseille soap this way: cleanse your face by eliminating impurities and excess sebum, both in the morning and in the evening before going to bed. Apply an astringent toner and then use your usual cream for the final effect.
In addition to applications on the face, the Marseille cleanser lends itself well to carrying out a "bactericidal and antiseptic action and is therefore also an" excellent solution for all sensitive and delicate skin. It cleanses deeply but gently and it is no coincidence that many mothers choose it as an ingredient for the care of children's skin.
It can be used on the whole body, not just on the face, because it does not dry the skin thanks to its vegetable oils.
Uses of Marseille soap for hygiene and beauty
For hygiene and personal care, we recommend that you try Marseille soap as well:
- in the shower as a natural scrub; all you need is soap and a jet of hot water. Pass the Marseillaise soap over the skin with the help of a horsehair glove and let it act as an exfoliant, combining it with water. You will obtain a regenerating action that favors the renewal of epithelial cells. In particular it is perfect for removing hard skin from feet, elbows and knees - you will see that soft skin!
- as an eco-friendly hand cream. In this case you will have to do a little elaboration at home, using either the solid version of the soap or the liquid one. Dissolve the 100g stick or liquid in boiling water, add olive oil and vegetable glycerin. Blend everything to have a self-made cream that does not dry out the skin;
- to treat scars and stretch marks, after having reduced the soap to flakes. Add a tablespoon of oil, such as argan oil (the important thing is that it is natural) and apply the solution on the damaged skin: you will regenerate the cells and promote their healing;
- when you want to have gorgeous hair; soap is in fact an excellent remedy to nourish dry and brittle hair. If you love green alternatives to commercial products, Marseille soap is for you, because it can become a low-cost conditioner or a do-it-yourself shampoo. For the fragrance it will be sufficient to add a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender. Remember to rinse deeply, perhaps with apple cider vinegar which rebalances the Ph of the hair: a shiny and natural effect guaranteed!
- for everyday intimate hygiene. Its particular formulation based on vegetable oils would make it suitable for relieving bacterial or fungal infections;
- for him, as an ally in the perfect shave. Leave the brush to soak in a little hot water for a few minutes and then rub it on a bar of soap; if applied to the hair it will make them softer than ever, and therefore shaving will also be more pleasant and easier to achieve;
- as a substitute for toothpaste; yes, that's right, because Marseille soap is also used in the treatment of sensitive or easily inflamed gums. A few drops on the toothbrush are enough. Make sure to rinse thoroughly after use and as for the speech of the hair, if the taste in your mouth does not appeal to you, you can aromatize with mint, refreshing and antibacterial;
- in Fido's bath. Marseille soap is natural and does not attack the skin, not even that of your 4-legged friend. Moreover, its typical neutral smell will make it particularly pleasant to all those dogs who do not appreciate the scents of chemicals.
As you have ascertained, the uses of this cleanser are many because thanks to its natural strength it is able to help us in skin care more than we think. It also has the benefit of being totally ecological and economical (the price varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it fits all budgets!), Which never hurts.
But the uses of Marseille soap don't end there; now let's see what are its other uses in daily house cleaning.
You use Marseille soap for home hygiene
Cleaning laundry and household surfaces are probably the best known uses for this cleaner. Every woman from Italy certainly has a stick or a liquid detergent based on Marseille soap at home, first of all because it is a product that is found everywhere and that really works, but above all it lives in the homes of our mothers and grandmothers. since we can remember it.
Marseille soap is great as a stain remover for clothes, and also for cleaning dishes. It is in fact able to cleanse thanks to its natural properties and works particularly well for cleaning dirty laundry by hand, of every fiber and color. Using it to remove stains from dirty clothes is really simple: you just need to rub the clothes to be washed on a damp bar of soap. If this is not enough, you can increase its stain remover strength by inserting some flakes in the washing machine tray, or, if you prefer hand washing, directly in water. Alternatively, let the treated stain rest for at least half an hour and then proceed with washing. .
You can also combine it with other equally natural products, which once combined will enhance the effect, making the garments softer and whiter: in these situations, use baking soda and salt.
And how can Marseille soap be used in the kitchen? It turns out to be an excellent eco-friendly ally for cleaning the oven, for washing dishes and for making surfaces shiny.
The antiseptic action of the soap makes it ideal for making dishes and other dishes shine again, as well as perfectly sanitizing them. Take 100g of product and reduce it into flakes; then dissolve it in about 1/2 liter of boiling water, add a teaspoon of olive oil and 10 drops of lemon Mix well and place your mixture in a spray bottle so you can easily apply it to smaller dishes.
Is the oven dirty and has many oil stains? There is no problem because Marseille soap comes at you also for this not so easy cleaning. In this use, however, you will have to combine it with a little baking soda, leave it to act for a few hours and then remove everything with a dry cloth.
Do not worry if any residual grease should drip on the wall units or floors, you can clean everything with a do-it-yourself solution for the home, always based on Marseille soap of course! Here's how: add the cleanser to hot water, a little baking soda and a few drops of alcohol. This simple and achievable solution by anyone in the house is extremely effective against all types of dirt, just dissolve 100 grams of Marseille soap in boiling water, add lemon oil, and pour the mixture into a nebulizer if you are comfortable with the spray.
We could define it as a multipurpose spray because it can be used almost anywhere on the surfaces of the house: in the bathroom, in the kitchen, on the stove and in the refrigerator.
Best Marseille soap products:
Bionike Triderm Marseille soap - find out on Amazon
Mugello soap, pure extra masiglia - at a special price on Amazon
Genuine Marseille Soap Bar - Buy Now On Amazon
Marseille soap in flakes - on offer on Amazon
Natural Marseille soap - at a special price on Amazon
Other uses of castile soap
For the sake of completeness, let's list the latest possible uses of this wonderful soap:
- clean gold jewelry; an old trick used by grandmothers to make wedding rings and precious golds shine;
- perfume the wardrobe and remove moths; this is a very clever trick for those who love to always have the fresh, clean scent around. Instead of buying pre-packaged products that gradually release the aroma in the drawers and cabinets, you can retrieve an old sock or mini sachets to put some Marseille soap flakes in and you will have your personal perfume at your fingertips! You can vary the fragrance by adding lavender or an essential oil. Alternatively, always keep a stick aside for the wardrobe, but to be used as a natural anti-moth;
- take care of plants in an eco-sustainable way; specifically, Marseille soap can help in the fight against ants and parasites. Prepare a mixture of warm water and flakes with seed oil that you will spray at home and on plants attacked by evil aphids. Experiment with a few leaves, and if the plant does not suffer from it you can use it as an occasional cure in small doses, so you will avoid burning the plant.
