Make your own all-purpose detergent with a few simple ingredients

Many of us use different cleaning products depending on the material or the surface that needs to be cleaned. There's nothing wrong with this, but sometimes this means not only spending more, but also the annoyance of running out of a detergent when we need it.

Given this, it is useful to have some products around that are truly multipurpose - capable of covering a wide spectrum of cleaning chores. A DIY detergent involves the use of Marseille soap - a classic of home remedies - and sodium percabonate, which is an environmentally friendly whitener. Read on to find out how to prepare this DIY detergent:

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What is needed:

• 1 liter of warm water;
• 125 grams of Marseille soap (this is about half of a standard bar of this soap);
• 1 tablespoon of sodium percarbonate (about 15 grams);
• 200 ml of hydrogen peroxide (about a one glass). The 130 volumes type is recommended. For a more delicate mixture, you can choose a lower concentration. For household cleaning chores, 3% hydrogen peroxide (10 volumes) is generally recommended, so try this type first;
• A mixing bowl;
• A wooden spoon;
• A bottle to store the mixture in.

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How to proceed:

• Grate the Marseille soap into flakes, so that it will disolve easily in the water;
• Pour the warm water into the basin and add the soap flakes, stirring until they dissolve completely;
• Add the sodium percarbonate and the hydrogen peroxide, and mix again to obtain a homogeneous mixture;
• Pour into your chosen bottle and it's ready to use!

Before each use, always remember to give the mixture a little shake. You can also add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice (tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender are all recommended), and depending on the type of surfaces on which you intend to use this detergent.

WIth regard to sodium percarbonate: it is an eco-sustainable substance, safe for the environment as it is non-toxic to animals, plants and humans. It is biodegradable, non-flammable, stable, and easily soluble in water. So, if you find the combination that's right for you with hydrogen peroxide in low volumes, you will have a non-aggressive but effective detergent which can also be used on delicate surfaces such as wood, marble and the like. For easier use, you may prefer to dilute it more and use the mixture in a spray bottle.

In any case, it is always advisable to prepare DIY products in small quantities the first time, so as to use them only on a small portion of a surface, and observe for any adverse reactions.