Frequently asked questions about dish washing soap

• What is a dish soap?

Dish soap is made by saponifying vegetable oil. It is different from washing up liquids, which are synthetic chemicals.

• How is dishwashing soap different to handwashing soap?

Dishwashing soap is made of a much larger percentage of coconut oil (Sodium Cocoate) which is a more effective degreaser than soap made of olive oil (Sodium Olivate)

• What are natural soap ingredients?

Natural soaps usually only contain saponified oils such as Palm, Coconut or Olive oil. Some may also have essential oils for fragrance or for enhancing the cleaning effect. Some contain naturally derived surfactants to help the soap lift dirt off the surface being cleaned

• Are natural soaps the same as organic soaps?

Natural soaps are made of natural ingredients. Organic soaps have to use natural ingredients that are certified as such. For example, there may be restrictions on the use of fertilisers or pesticides used on the plants producing the oils. So some natural soap may also be organic soap, but not all are.

• Can you wash hands with dish washing soap?

Yes you can. Marseille soap is made of 72% olive oil and 28% coconut oil. This makes it effective at degreasing but the olive oil has a moisturising effect. Soap made of up to 100% coconut oil can be used safely, and is a much more effective degreaser (so can cause skin dryness), so best used for washing dishes.

• Can you wash dishes with any natural soap bars?

It depends on the soap. Natural soap bars like Nablus soap or Aleppo soap contain no coconut oil, and a slight excess of unsaponified oils. This makes them very moisturising when washing hands or for bathing, but not very effective degreasants for washing dishes.

• Are natural soaps effective in hard water areas

If you have very hard water (water with a lot of dissolved carbonates) then natural soaps may not be effective, as they react with the salts to form a waxy residue. In these areas, synthetic detergents may be more effective

• Does Marseille soap contain Limonene?

Limonene is a naturally occuring chemical in some essential oils, but it can cause irritation for some people. Marseille soap contains no fragrances or essential oils, so no Limonene. Other soap may contain essential oils, so check on the label