Grating large amount of soap

pink_numbers

I always make my own laundry soap, but buy soap flakes rather than solid soaps.

I have a batch of soap that I made, which isn't the best thing in the world for using in bath, but would make a great washing powder base. Problem is, grating one of them by hand is a bit of a work out, let alone a whole batch of them.

Do you know what the best way of grating soap?

Many thanks in advance

zippychick

Have you got a food processor with a grating attachment? As long as you wash well I cant see how it would matter!

There is a thread on home made washing powder which may have some info in it

tandraig

do you have an old fashioned mincer? can remember my nan using one to grate old odds and ends of soap she had saved. you may find one in charity shop or ebay.
or a mincing blade for food processor? wash it out well after though!!!
otherwise i would just use sharp heavy knife and chop it up well (as if making mint sauce)

geordie_joe

I would chop it up with a knife as tandraig says, but then disolve it in water and use it as a liquid.

I once grated soap, using the slicer blade, then put it into a FP and it turned it into powder. The powder was so fine that as soon as I took the lid off it shot up my nose and choked me !

Even with it that fine it still left white streaks on my clothes when I used it.

pink_numbers

Thank you ever so much for your advices!

I do have a food processor, and a old style mincer... never thought of using a mincer. I will try all three ways and see what has the best result.

gordie joe, I use the famous Rhonda recipe (concentrated laundry powder one) and find that it doesn't leave any streaks in my clothes

geordie_joe

pink_numbers wrote: »

gordie joe, I use the famous Rhonda recipe (concentrated laundry powder one) and find that it doesn't leave any streaks in my clothes

That's because you "always make my own laundry soap, but buy soap flakes rather than solid soaps"

You haven't tried it with bars of soap yet

pink_numbers

but they were plain veg soaps that were grated, rather than thin flakes?

ETA: they come with quite large bits of soap that have obviously been grated somehow.

geordie_joe

pink_numbers wrote: »

but they were plain veg soaps that were grated, rather than thin flakes?

ETA: they come with quite large bits of soap that have obviously been grated somehow.

I was brought up in the days when soap flakes were used for washing. But what I am saying is me, and many others, have found that grated soap does not dissolve properly and makes streaks on the clothes.

It may be down to the type of soap used, but I have a feeling it's the washing machine drawer. When you put the soap powder into the drawer and switch the machine on cold water gets squirted onto the powder, to wash it into the drum. I think this causes the powder to turn into lumps instead of being dissolved, which in turn causes the streaks on the clothes.

By all means try it yourself, it may work for you, but if it doesn't then consider turning the powder into a liquid soap. I have found liquid soap never leaves streaks.

pink_numbers

ahhhh I see!! Thank you for letting me know

I think you are right about the powder drawer, I tend to sprinkle mine in the drum, all over the dry washing, I didn't actually realise you were suppose to put home made washing powder in the powder drawer!

I will try making a small batch with the soap flakes I'll be making from my own soap though and see how it goes, if it streaks, I will make it liquid, thank you so much for your suggestion