Eco Enzyme Liquid Soap: A DIY Guide

Hey guys! Ever thought about making your own soap? Not just any soap, but eco enzyme liquid soap? It's not only a fun DIY project but also a fantastic way to be kind to our planet. In this guide, we'll dive deep into how to create your own eco enzyme liquid soap. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and get a little crafty!

What is Eco Enzyme?

Before we jump into making soap, let's talk about what eco enzyme actually is. Eco enzyme is basically a natural solution produced from fermenting fruit and vegetable scraps with sugar and water. Imagine turning your kitchen waste into something super useful! This magical concoction was popularized by Dr. Rosukon Poompanvong, and it’s been gaining traction as a versatile and eco-friendly alternative to many household products.

Benefits of Eco Enzyme

So, why should you bother making eco enzyme? Well, for starters, it's environmentally friendly. By using your food scraps, you're reducing waste that ends up in landfills. Plus, eco enzyme itself can help clean up wastewater and improve soil quality. Talk about a win-win!

It is also a versatile cleaner. Eco enzyme can be used for a variety of cleaning purposes, from household cleaning to personal care products. It acts as a natural disinfectant and can help break down grease and grime, making it an excellent all-purpose cleaner.

Another benifit is it is cost-effective. All you need are fruit and vegetable scraps, sugar, and water. These ingredients are readily available and inexpensive, making eco enzyme a budget-friendly option for eco-conscious consumers.

How to Make Eco Enzyme

Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here’s how to make your own eco enzyme. First, gather your ingredients. You'll need fresh fruit and vegetable scraps (think citrus peels, apple cores, carrot shavings), sugar (brown, white, or jaggery all work), and water. The ratio is typically 3 parts fruit/veg scraps, 1 part sugar, and 10 parts water. Next, find a plastic container with a lid. Make sure it's clean and dry. Chop your fruit and vegetable scraps into smaller pieces to help speed up the fermentation process. In the container, mix the fruit/veg scraps, sugar, and water. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved.

Seal the container loosely. During the fermentation process, gases will be produced, so don't seal it too tightly. You can use an airlock if you have one, but simply burping the container every day for the first week works just fine. Store the container in a cool, dark place for at least three months. The longer it ferments, the better! Be patient and let nature do its thing. During the first week, make sure to release the gas by opening the lid briefly each day. This prevents the container from exploding due to the buildup of pressure. After three months (or longer), strain the liquid through a cloth or sieve to remove the solid waste. The liquid you're left with is your eco enzyme concentrate!

Making Eco Enzyme Liquid Soap

Alright, now for the fun part: turning that eco enzyme into liquid soap! This is where the magic really happens. We'll walk through the process step by step, so don't worry, it's easier than you might think.

Ingredients You'll Need

To make eco enzyme liquid soap, you're going to need a few key ingredients. First up, your eco enzyme concentrate. This is the star of the show. Next, you will need a mild liquid soap base. You can use castile soap, baby shampoo, or any gentle, unscented liquid soap. This will help create the lather and cleaning power of the soap. You might want to add some essential oils. These are optional, but they can add a lovely scent and extra cleaning properties to your soap. Lavender, tea tree, and citrus oils are all great choices.

Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s get started! The first step is to dilute your eco enzyme concentrate. Mix it with water in a ratio of 1:10. This means one part eco enzyme to ten parts water. For example, if you’re using 100ml of eco enzyme, mix it with 1 liter of water. In a large bowl or container, combine the diluted eco enzyme and your liquid soap base. A good starting ratio is 1 part liquid soap base to 2 parts diluted eco enzyme. So, if you’re using 1 liter of diluted eco enzyme, add 500ml of liquid soap base.

Gently stir the mixture together. Avoid creating too many bubbles. You want to mix the ingredients thoroughly without making it too foamy. If you’re using essential oils, now is the time to add them. A few drops will do the trick. Start with about 10-20 drops per liter of soap and adjust to your preference. Once everything is well combined, transfer the liquid soap to a bottle or container for storage. An old soap dispenser or a recycled bottle works perfectly.

Tips for Success

To ensure your eco enzyme liquid soap turns out great, here are a few tips to keep in mind. Use high-quality ingredients. The better the quality of your eco enzyme and liquid soap base, the better your final product will be. Experiment with different essential oils. Find scents that you enjoy and that complement the cleaning properties of the soap. Adjust the ratios to suit your needs. If you find the soap is too watery, add more liquid soap base. If it’s too thick, add more diluted eco enzyme. Be patient. Like making eco enzyme, making the soap may require some trial and error to get it just right.

Using Your Eco Enzyme Liquid Soap

Now that you've made your eco enzyme liquid soap, let's talk about how to use it. This soap is incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes around your home.

Household Cleaning

For general household cleaning, you can use your eco enzyme soap to clean countertops, floors, and other surfaces. Simply dilute the soap with water in a spray bottle and use it as you would any other cleaning solution. It’s especially effective for cutting through grease and grime in the kitchen.

Dish Soap

Your homemade soap also works great as a dish soap. Its natural enzymes help break down food particles, making it easier to wash dishes. Plus, it’s gentle on your hands compared to many commercial dish soaps. Just add a small amount to your sponge or dishwater and wash as usual.

Laundry Detergent

Believe it or not, eco enzyme liquid soap can also be used as a laundry detergent. Add about a quarter cup to your washing machine along with your clothes. It’s especially good for removing stains and odors. And, of course, it’s much gentler on the environment than conventional detergents.

Personal Care

Because it’s so gentle, eco enzyme liquid soap can even be used for personal care. You can use it as a hand soap, body wash, or even a shampoo. Just be sure to test it on a small area of your skin first to make sure you don’t have any adverse reactions. And remember, it doesn’t lather as much as commercial soaps, but it still cleans effectively.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are a few common issues you might encounter and how to fix them.

Soap is Too Watery

If your soap is too watery, it simply means you need to add more liquid soap base. Gradually add more soap base until you reach the desired consistency. Stir gently to combine and avoid creating too many bubbles.

Soap is Too Thick

On the other hand, if your soap is too thick, you can add more diluted eco enzyme. Again, add it gradually and stir gently until you reach the right consistency.

Unpleasant Smell

If your soap has an unpleasant smell, it could be due to the eco enzyme. This can happen if the fermentation process wasn’t quite right. Try adding a few more drops of essential oils to mask the odor. Alternatively, you can try making a new batch of eco enzyme and starting over.

Soap is Not Cleaning Effectively

If you find that your soap isn’t cleaning as well as you’d like, you can try increasing the concentration of eco enzyme in the mixture. You can also add a bit of vinegar or baking soda to boost its cleaning power.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Making eco enzyme liquid soap is a rewarding and eco-friendly project that anyone can do. Not only are you reducing waste and using natural ingredients, but you're also creating a versatile cleaning product that's safe for your home and the environment. Give it a try and see for yourself the amazing benefits of this DIY soap. Happy soap-making, guys!