Marseille Soap for House Chores - 10 More Uses

Our home cleaning superstar is undeniably Rampal Latour’s Black Soap. But that does not take away from the infamous Marseille Soap’s virtues for home maintenance. Basic uses like laundry and dishwashing aren't mentioned here, they can be found on our other blog posts: 10 Common Uses of Marseille Soap ; Marseille Soap for Laundry.

 

Multi-surfaces

Effortlessly disinfect your work station, kitchen counters, bathtub and all other surfaces. This solution is ideal for replacing scented industrial cleaners that are often filled with harmful phthalates.

How to: Simply rub the soap on a very damp cloth or sponge. Do not use too much. Wipe down the area, then rinse (using a damp clean cloth).

Leather 

Cleaning leather demands slightly more attention but remains pretty much effortless.      

How to: Dissolve a small amount of Marseille Soap in hot water: 1 teaspoon of soap/ 500 ml water. Let it cool slightly, then rub the leather surface you wish to disinfect, nourish and potentially unstain.  

Teak Furniture

Use regularly and your teak or other wood furniture will be better protected against the weather. Each application will also improve the patina appearance. 

How to: Here, the dose is stronger, about 1 tablespoon of soap/500ml of hot water. Let it cool slightly, then wipe the area.

Deodorizer for Cabinets & Drawers

Do you ever open your cabinets or drawers and instantly get a whiff of a funky humid smell? Or you simply wish to repel moths & mites around your home.

How to: Place grated Marseille soap in a small linen bag or dish to let it purify and freshen up the air in your cupboard or drawer. 

Stains

This typically works best on “soft” materials such as linen or cotton. Perfectly effective for carpet stains, shirt collar stains, coffee, blood or even mustard stains. 

How to: Slightly damp your solid Marseille Soap and directly rub the stain before throwing into the washing machine or hand washing. 

For more prominent stains, you might need to let the soap sit on the fabric before washing. 

Stop Lingering Chlorine Smell

Do your bathing suits still smell of chlorine? Did you bleach clothes and can’t seem to remove the chemical scent?

How to: Grate 2 tablespoons of Marseille soap into a bucket of hot water. Let it cool down a bit, then soak the swimsuits for 24 hours. Then rinse well and wring out to dry. 

Shoes 

From leather materials all the way to nylon or canvas, remove stains and properly disinfect your shoes. They deserve the proper care, especially during a pandemic.     

How to: Dilute Marseille soap in a little warm water (1:1 ratio). Soak a sponge in the solution and rub shoes.

For deeper stains, rub damp Marseille Soap directly onto the stain, let it soak then rinse.

Coats

Remove stains and revive fabric like wool or synthetic. with a damp sponge and soap.

How to: Dilute Marseille soap in warm water (1:2 ratio). Soak a sponge in solution and rub stained areas.

If you wish to hand wash your entire coat (putting it in the machine isn’t recommended. You can use a wool setting without the spinning function that wrings out the water, as it could create creases and damage your coat) dilute 3 tablespoons of grated Marseille Soap into a bucket of hot water. Let it cool down a bit, then soak the coat for 24 hours. Then rinse well & wring out gently to dry.

Umbrellas or other plastic

Over time, plastic or PVC (garden furniture, toys, tools...) tend to get dirty and catch a moldy odor.

How to: Start by rinsing with water to remove excess dirt if needed. Dilute your desired amount of Marseille Soap in warm water, soak your sponge and rub on plastic. You can go the extra mile and go over it with a final rub with hydrogen peroxide on your sponge (tip: use a spray bottle). Rinse and let air dry.

Microfiber

Pillows, throw blankets and microfiber sofas are not easy to clean. Don’t break the bank buying specialized products and use your Marseille Soap. 

How to: Dilute Marseille soap in a little warm water (1:1 ratio). Soak a cloth and wipe the microfiber fabric. Rinse the soap using a clean damp sponge and let it dry.

If the fabric is stained, follow the steps of number 5 and rinse with a wet sponge as usual.