When it comes to household cleaning products, versatility is key and that’s where Zote Soap truly shines.
Originally from Mexico, this vibrant pink bar soap (also comes in white) made with coconut oil, tallow and some other natural ingredients (we’ll be discussing below), not only serves as an excellent laundry detergent but also tackles various cleaning tasks around your home.
This article explains what Zote Soap is, what it’s made of, and how it can be used in laundry.
What Is Zote Bar Soap Used For?
Zote Bar Soap is a versatile household product with multiple uses, thanks to its gentle yet effective formula.
Here are some common uses for Zote Bar Soap:
Laundry Detergent
Zote’s powerful cleaning capabilities make it an excellent choice for laundry detergent on its own or when mixed with household ingredients to form a homemade version.
Stain Remover
Apply Zote directly onto stubborn stains before washing your garments as usual. The soap’s active ingredients work wonders on grease, grass, wine spills and even bloodstains.
Hand Washing Delicates
For delicate fabrics that require special care or handwashing only, dissolve a small amount of grated Zote in warm water to create a gentle solution that cleans without damaging the material.
Dishwashing Soap
In a pinch? Use grated Zote mixed with hot water as an alternative dishwashing soap when you run out of your regular dish detergent.
Cleaning Brushes & Sponges
Soak makeup brushes or kitchen sponges in warm water mixed with grated Zote overnight to break down grime buildup effectively.
Insect Repellent
Citronella oil in the soap acts as a natural insect repellent – perfect for outdoor activities like camping or picnics! Rubbing the bar on exposed skin can help keep mosquitoes at bay, and it can also soothe and reduce itchiness in affected areas.
Catfish Bait
Zote soap can also be cut into small slices and used as bait for catching fish.
What Is Zote Soap Made Of?
Here’s what is in your bar (or liquid bottle) of Zote Soap:
- Sodium tallowate: Produced by combining tallow with sodium hydroxide, sodium tallowate is a key ingredient in many soaps due to its effective cleaning properties and ability to create suds.
- Sodium cocoate: Similar to sodium tallowate but derived from coconut oil instead of animal fat, sodium cocoate adds more cleaning power while also contributing to the soap’s creamy lather.
- Basic Violet 10 (Dye): This synthetic dye gives Zote Soap its distinctive pink color, making it easily recognizable and visually appealing.
- Cymbopogon nardus (Citronella oil): Derived from the leaves of the citronella plant, this essential oil adds a pleasant fragrance to Zote Soap while also providing natural insect-repelling properties.
- Glycerin: A natural byproduct of soap-making processes involving fats like tallow or coconut oil; glycerin serves as an effective humectant that attracts moisture from the air into your clothes during washing, leaving them feeling soft and refreshed.
- Tallow: A form of animal fat, tallow contributes to the soap’s rich lather and cleansing power by helping break down dirt and stains on fabrics.
- Sodium chloride: Also known as table salt, sodium chloride helps regulate the consistency of Zote Soap during production and enhances its overall performance when used for laundry purposes.
- Cocos nucifera (Coconut oil): Coconut oil not only provides additional cleansing abilities but also moisturizes fabrics for softer results after washing.
- Sodium hydroxide: Commonly known as lye, sodium hydroxide acts as an alkali in soap-making processes, reacting with fats like tallow or coconut oil to produce saponified compounds that effectively clean clothing items.
- Optical Brighterner: for making whites appear whiter.
What Does Zote Soap Smell Like?
Zote Soap has a lemony aroma thanks to its citronella oil content which is a natural ingredient derived from the leaves and stems of lemongrass plants. This smell doesn’t not however, linger on clothes that much when you wash them with Zote Soap.
In addition to citronella oil, Zote Soap contains other natural ingredients such as coconut oil and tallow that contribute to its overall pleasant smell.
What Are The Different Types Of Zote Soap?
Zote Soap comes in two main colors: pink and white.
Pink Zote Soap
The original and most popular version of Zote soap is the pink bar. It contains citronella oil, which gives it a pleasant citrus scent while also providing insect-repellent properties. This makes it ideal for washing clothes worn outdoors or in areas with high mosquito populations. Additionally, it also contains dye which gives it the pink vibrant color that makes it easy to spot among other laundry products.
White Zote Soap
The white variety offers the same cleaning power as its pink counterpart, and in fact, is the same product, but without the added dye. As a result, it appears white which makes it suitable for washing lighter garments, as well as for people that are sensitive to dyes.
Zote soap also comes in three forms: the flakes, bar soap as well as liquid, and their availability depends on your location.
Both the flakes and bar soap can be used for various household tasks beyond laundry, such as the uses we mentioned above in addition to fish bait and to soothe bite spots.
How To Use Zote Soap In Washing Machine
To effectively use Zote soap in your washing machine, begin by choosing the right form of the soap.
Opt for flakes or create your own by grating a bar of Zote soap.
The amount of soap needed will depend on the condition of your garments.
For heavily soiled, dirty, or smelly clothes, dissolve 3/4 cup of Zote flakes in warm water before adding it to your washing machine as you would with regular liquid detergent.
This is ideal for large loads (three quarters full; 11 pounds; full armload), that require extra cleaning power.
When dealing with less dirty clothes, there’s no need to dissolve the flakes in warm water beforehand. Simply add them directly to your washing machine and proceed with the wash cycle as usual.
If desired, feel free to include fabric softener during the rinse cycle for added freshness and softness.
However, it’s important to note that flakes of Zote soap may not be as efficient when used in high-efficiency (HE) washers or front-loading machines as they use less water and may not dissolve them. In these cases, consider dissolving the liquid and using only the recommended amount for your washer, or opt for alternative laundry detergents specifically designed for such appliances to ensure optimal cleaning results.
How To Wash Clothes By Hand Using Zote Soap
For heavily soiled garments, begin by dissolving Zote soap flakes in warm water.
This can be done by adding the flakes directly to a tub or sink filled with water and agitating vigorously until they dissolve. Or, dissolving in warm water and then adding the liquid to the wash water.
Once the soap is dissolved, soak your dirty clothes in the solution for as long as 15 minutes, or more depending on how soiled they are, and take care to agitate them according to their delicateness.
After soaking and washing, rinse thoroughly and dry using a dryer or line-drying method.
For less dirty clothes, there’s no need to create flakes. Instead, simply rub the affected areas with either white Zote soap for white clothing and colored or colored Zote soap for strictly colored garments.
Gently agitate the spots using your hands, ensuring that the fabric isn’t too delicate for this method; if it is, opt for using flakes as described above.
How To Treat Stains With Zote Soap
- Dampen the fabric with water, making sure not to soak it completely. This will help the soap penetrate and work more effectively on the stain.
- Gently rub the bar of Zote soap onto the moistened area, creating a lather that covers the entire stain.
- Using your fingers or a soft brush, gently work the lather into the fabric fibers, ensuring that it reaches every part of the stained area.
- Allowing time for Zote soap to break down and lift away dirt and grime from your garment is crucial for effective stain removal.
- After letting Zote soap do its magic, wash your garment using a washing machine or by hand as we have described above. You can also use an additional detergent (or a seperate detergent) if desired for extra cleaning power.
- While Zote soap is effective on many stains, some may require additional treatments or alternative stain removers for complete elimination.
Remember that prompt action is key when dealing with stains – addressing them sooner rather than later increases your chances of successful removal with minimal damage to your garments’ appearance and longevity!
How To Make Homemade Laundry Detergent With Zote Soap
To create your own effective laundry detergent using Zote soap, follow these simple steps:
- Put on gloves to protect your hands from the washing soda.
- Measure one cup of Zote flakes or grate a bar of Zote soap until you have one cup.
- Combine the grated Zote soap with 1 cup each of baking soda and washing soda, along with 1/2 cup of borax.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- Use this homemade detergent promptly to avoid mold growth.
Remember to only use this detergent in your washing machine, as washing soda can be irritating to skin when used directly. Use it as you would a powdered detergent in a top loader or front loader and HE washer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does White Zote Soap Have Bleach?
No, white Zote soap does not contain bleach. Its whitening properties come from optical brighteners that help enhance the appearance of whites without using any harsh chemicals like bleach. This makes it safe to use on colored clothing as well.
How Do You Use Zote Soap For Whites?
To use Zote soap for whites, follow these simple steps:
- Wet the garment in warm water.
- Rub the white Zote soap directly onto any stains or heavily soiled areas.
- Allow the soap to sit on the fabric for a few minutes.
- Fill a bucket or sink with warm water and add grated or dissolved Zote soap (you can grate it using a regular cheese grater).
- Submerge your garments in the soapy water and gently agitate them by hand.
- Let them soak for about 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with clean water.
- Wring out excess water and hang clothes to dry.
Is Zote Soap Antibacterial?
Zote soap does have some antibacterial properties due to its citronella oil content; however, it should not be considered an effective antibacterial agent like other specialized products designed explicitly for this purpose.
