A natural 100% plant-based detergent that you can pick yourself!
We’re all familiar with Marseille soap detergents (effective and versatile), ash detergents (effective, but you still need a chimney, and less suitable for white laundry) and soap nuts (which unfortunately come from a little too far away). Here’s a local, natural alternative that’s handy all year round, zero waste and zero budget: ivy detergent!
Yes, climbing ivy(hedera helix, meaning “spiral rope”), the plant that lines building facades, twists around fences and wraps itself around tree trunks.
Ivy has a bad reputation: invasive, its berries contain toxins that make them unfit for consumption, and its sap can be irritating to the skin if handled carelessly.
And yet!
Climbing ivy (not to be confused with creeping ivy, which remains on the ground) is traditionally used to make detergent.
It naturally contains 5 to 8% saponins, natural surfactants found in various plants (notably quinoa…) to protect against certain parasites, microbes or fungi.) to protect the plant against certain parasites, microbes or fungi.
Thanks to their degreasing and detergent properties, these saponins will play a decisive role in your laundry.
While being 100% biodegradable, ivy will take care of your laundry, respect your skin, lather (a little) and clean (not so bad!).
And ivy grows all year round in our region. Local and seasonal, who can beat that?
What about the environment ?
As we’ve just seen, saponin is a substance that can be toxic in high doses or in high concentrations.
However, a small amount goes down the drain with each wash, and as it is easily biodegradable, it will quickly dissolve in wastewater.
And it’s not as if it’s widely used in our society! All in all, its impact is infinitely less than that of industrial detergents.
So the next time you’re out and about, grab a pair of scissors and a canvas bag, and get picking!
Ivy detergent recipe
To make your ivy detergent, you will need:
// 50 fresh climbing ivy leaves
// 1.5L water
// 20g baking soda (optional but highly recommended for greater effectiveness)
// 1 large saucepan
// 1 cheesecloth or fine cloth
// 1 glass or plastic recycling bottle
How to proceed
- Collect around 50 ivy leaves near your home. Beware, ivy is slightly urticating, so wear gloves or be careful when handling it when picking. Be sure to pick old leaves, which can be recognized by their dark green color, rather than young, light-green ones. They contain more saponins.
- Clean them with clear water and cut the leaves into small pieces or crumple them to release the saponins.
- In a large saucepan, cook the ivy in water for 45 minutes.
- Let cool, then strain the liquid, pressing the leaves well.
- While the mixture is still hot, stir in the technical baking soda. This addition is optional, but baking soda will improve the efficiency of your wash, because as a multi-functional miracle product, it will deodorize, stain and disinfect your laundry.
Now it’s ready!
How to use :
- Shake before use.
- Simply pour 1dl (or 2dl for heavily soiled laundry) into the detergent compartment or dosing ball.
- To avoid graying white laundry, add 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate directly into the washing machine drum. Sodium percarbonate is a natural, biodegradable mineral, also known as solid hydrogen peroxide. It is active above 40°C.
A few precautions:
- Of course, store your ivy detergent out of reach of children, and don’t forget to label your container clearly! Because even though it’s a 100% natural product, don’t try to drink it!
- As for the utensils you use, be sure to clean them properly after use, or better still, use a dedicated wooden pan and spoon.
- Your ivy detergent can be stored for around 3 weeks at room temperature, or in the fridge for a few extra days.
Our Instagram video on how ivy washing powder is made! Scan the QR code to access it.
